The Pyramids of Giza are the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World and they are even cooler than you might think. They way our Egypt trip was arranged we began and started in Cairo – on our first day taking camels near the pyramids at Sunset but then waiting almost two weeks until we went back to visit them up close and personal. And it was well worth the wait. On our visit we got up close and personal and as you can see from some of the photos below I actually had trouble capturing their gradour as they are SO LARGE.
The Pyramids of Giza are comprised of three pyramids and the largest, Khufu, was the tallest building in the world from the 26th century BC until the 19th century (3,899 years to be exact). And even having stood at the base of the 50 story giant, it is still hard to comprehend how something so massive was constructed that long ago. Climbing the pyramids is strictly prohibited but were able to take a few photos at the first layer of rocks and it is incredible to see how large the stones actually are – some of them weighing up to 70 tons of each. And after we took pictures until even I was content, we ventured into the smallest one. Given the size of it it is incredible how small the underground entrance is to the the pyramids and how narrow the corridors are until you get to the chambers buried at the heart. Take a look at arguable one of the best UNESCO sites I have ever been to:
As mentioned, it is hard really appreciate the Egyptian pyramids when you are up close – especially to take in the scale – so we drove a bit of a ways away to get a better shot of all three. While the group was faffing about with camels I took my family and tripod down to a secluded spot and we managed to get a few good shots in.
After visiting the pyramids we also went to see the other famous ancient artifcat left in Ancient Memphis, the Great Sphinx which was gorgeous in it’s own right though insanely crowded and hard to get a good shot of.
Would you want to visit the Egyptian pyramids?
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Nan says
My dream trip one day.
I did not know that you could go under one. Thanks for the tip.
Laurie says
Is that family photo going to be your Christmas card. Also, how the heck did you all get up on that huge block and then not fall backwards, the block must be enormous.
Egypt has for sure moved way up on my travel luster bucket list and let’s all hope that we can travel SOOOOON!
Molly says
I never knew that you could go underneath a pyramid. How cool is that. I am not sure I could have gone into that tunnel after looking at all that rock above me. You are very brave.
What a fantastic experience for you and your family.
Lana says
They are even larger than I had envisioned from travel magazine photos. The scale of your family sitting on one block is truly unbelievable. How did they move them in the long ago days???