Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx

The largest pyramid and the last survivor of the world’s seven ancient wonders was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu.

A remarkable feat of ancient engineering, and an enduring testament to the sophistication of the ancient Egyptians, the Great Pyramid contains 2.3 million limestone blocks of over 25 tonnes each, cut and assembled to astonishing precision.

Next to it are two other giant pyramids. the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, dedicated to the pharaohs Khafre and Menkaure. Just south of the pyramid of Menkaure are three smaller pyramids, believed to be the tombs of Menkaure’s queens.

Sharing the Giza plateau with the pyramids is this no-less impressive statue of a sphinx – a mythological creature with human head and body of a lion. Its face is believed to resemble Pharoah Khafre.

Standing 20m high, 73m long it dates back to his reign in 2500 BC, and apart from a broken nose (cause unknown), remains remarkably well-preserved.

This structure beside the Sphinx was built to receive and mummify the pharaoh’s bodies, before entombment in a pyramid – it’s believed Pharaoh Khafre’s body was mummified here.

The massive granite slabs were shipped down from Aswan. It had been buried under desert sand until its discovery in 1852.

Rent a horse from reliable MG Stables or one of the other stables near the Sphinx and ride into the desert beyond the Pyramids. Perfect at sunset, and moonlight rides are also now available.

For evocative pyramid viewing without the hordes, head for Dahshur, a short drive south, there are smaller but equally impressive pyramids, which are blissfully crowd-free.