The Giza Pyramids and District

Giza (al-G?za) is a city all its own, but has been swallowed in recent years by sprawling metropolitan Cairo. It's west of the urban district and near Pyramids Road (close to the famous Pyramids of Giza) in the valley, which connects central Cairo with Giza. The Pyramids themselves are a constant and popular attraction for the world at large. They stand for ancient Egyptian civilization's best and most archetypal work. Together with the Sphinx, they simply embody ancient Egypt.

The Giza District offers travelers accommodations, food, and entertainment not to be had elsewhere. Many services cluster along the local transport mainstay, Pyramids Road.

Giza will eventually host the Grand Museum of Egypt, next to the Giza Pyramids. Irish architects created the design with Shih-Fu Peng in the lead. It will largely replace the Egyptian Museum and should be complete in 2007.

Getting to Giza

By Bus
Go by bus to the Giza Pyramids for easiest travel, by routes 355/357; you'll ride in a large white, air-conditioned bus. These buses arrive every 20 minutes from the airport and Heliopolis. You may have to flag one down. They stop at at Abdel Menem Riyad Station in Midan Tahrir, next to the Egyptian Museum, then go on to Giza and the Pyramids. Tickets cost LE 2, a bargain price.

There are also yellow taxis. These taxis have meters and air conditioning, and you won't have to haggle as with the black-and-white taxis mentioned below. Cost is comparable.

By Taxi
A taxi can be had anywhere in central Cairo. However, haggle for the price you'll pay. In addition, be careful, because taxi drivers will likely take you hither and yon around the city for the precise purpose of fattening their price and emptying your wallet, unless you know better. Unless you want this to happen, make sure you haggle to just go to your direct destination.

What to See

The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
The Great Giza Pyramid of Khufu is the last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was originally 146 m (479 ft) high but now stands a still impressive 137 m (449 ft). Over 2 million blocks of stone were used to construct it, and all with manual labor.

The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)
The Giza Pyramid of Khafre is a little smaller than the Great Pyramid but appears slightly larger than it from a few angles because of a better position on the plateau.

The Solar Barque Museum
The Solar Barque Museum is just alongside the southern face of the Great Pyramid. This museum is well done and showcases an excavated reconstructed "solar boat," which was buried with the pharaoh for use on his daily journey with the sun across the sky. Entry fee is LE 40.

The Interior of the Pyramids
If you venture into the interior of the pyramids, be warned that they're hot, humid and may be claustrophobic. If you can stand it, however, entrance into them is very interesting and educational. Personal viewing of the interior walls and passageways can give you an even deeper appreciation of the tremendous achievements these pyramid builders attained when they built these impressive structures.

The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus)
The Giza Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the Giza Pyramids and stands just 62 m (203 ft) high (originally 66.5 m).

It should be noted that although not all of that Pyramids can be equally accessed so that interested parties can explore them inside, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities will be closing even the accessible ones one at a time so that they can do conservation and renovation work.

The Pyramids Sound and Light Show
Admission for foreign languages shows is LE 60, Arabic show LE 11, and private shows in foreign languages, LE 65 + LE 300, which also covers operating expenses. The Arabic private show is LE 16.50 + LE 150, which is perhaps slightly kitsch and also takes liberties with historical detail. Nonetheless, these are worthwhile evening activities. The "voice of the Sphinx" tells visitors of the history of the Giza Plateau and its place in Egyptian history as a laser display simultaneously picks up the details of the Pyramids and projects historical scenes on the side of the Great Pyramid itself.

The Sphinx and the Temple of the Sphinx
The Sphinx, a colossal, recumbent human-headed lion, was the Egyptians' representation of the sun god Re-Horakhty - "Horus of the horizon". Egyptians call it Abu el-Hol, the "Father of Terror." In addition, the Greek name "Sphinx," when translated, means "Strangler". 45 meters long and 22 meters wide, it is carved from a giant block of sandstone and is much smaller than the Pyramids surrounding it. It's also missing the nose, purportedly the victim of target practice by bored soldiers. Some say these soldiers were British soldiers in World War I or that they were Napoleon's troops in 1798, but 18th-century drawings show the nose is already missing, which thus points the finger at the occupying troops.

Complete your visit by going to the various Queens' Pyramids and Nobles' Tombs, which are located in regimented cemeteries surrounding the royal Pyramids.

Camel Rides
If you can, avoid taking a camel ride around the Pyramids. It's a bit smelly and noisy, as well as overrated. In addition, the drivers themselves are often accused of harassment and petty crime. Take a camel ride, if you must, somewhere else in Egypt.

Staying Safe

Don't climb any of the Pyramids. This is officially forbidden and extremely dangerous.

As with anywhere in Egypt and during the hot months especially, take plenty of bottled water with you to drink and wear a hat and sunscreen. You should also don sunglasses for further sun protection.

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