Egypt, Ever a Wonder! (Part 3): The Pyramid Post You're Looking For

- March 30, 2026, Monday.

- The Pyramids of Giza need no introduction. They're big, they're old, they're historical - and they alone serve as the face of Egyptian tourism and Egyptian civilization. While Egypt is definitely more than the pyramids in reality, a visit to Egypt for the first time will never be complete without a trip to Giza's pyramids! After all, they pyramids are the only remaining "Wonder of the Ancient World"!

- The Giza necropolis, where the pyramids are located, can be overwhelming to visit by oneself, even with the shuttlebus system within the archeological park that helps people go around the vast necropolis. It was more practical for us to book a tour with Klook, with an Egyptologist as a guide. 

- We arrived at Giza early in the morning; most people think that the pyramids stand lonely in the middle of the desert, but in reality they're so close to the city, roughly a short 30-minute drive from Cairo. (As can be seen in my first post of my Egypt trip series, hotels line the streets right outside the necropolis, so the whole area isn't too detached from modern civilization.) Our first agenda upon arriving was a camel ride across the desert. There are many camel guides across the necropolis, but with a recommendation from our tour guide, prices are significantly lower or "more reasonable" compared to hiring one by yourself (they tend to over-change greatly). It was my second time to ride a camel, and even with my previous experience it did not make riding one more comfortable. I keep forgetting how big camels are, and how I need to balance whenever it tries to get up or sit down because of it's long legs. But yes, it is a highly recommended activity (given that the camels are treated well by the guide), as it is a practical way to see the pyramids away from the tourist crowds.

There are three main pyramids, but there are actually nine (plus other smaller pyramids.)

Though plain in appearance, they were probably coated with shiny rock to let them shine under the sun. And yes, no one can completely explain how they were made. These pyramids are almost 5000 years old.

I love this candid look - and it was right after my camel stood up! A camel's legs are so long so its body rocks as it gets up or sits down.

Finally, a smile.

In the middle of nowhere.

This is how we all envision Egypt.

Did you notice my (modern and DIY) pharaoh look?

- After the camel ride we entered the pyramid of Menkaure, which didn't have much (not recommended, but I guess, only to say that I went inside one of the pyramids.) I figured a lot of the stuff people found inside pyramids are now placed in the museums in Egypt and across the world.  

Pyramids, slightly up close.

Inside Menkaure.

Outside Menkaure. 

- The Great Sphinx of Giza was another curiosity to check out. Until today, scholars cannot agree on who or what it really is. The term sphinx was based on the Greek name and iconography, but unlike the Greek version, Egyptian sphinxes are wingless male creatures. The human heads may also represent pharaohs.

Sphinx.

Nose to nose!

Backside.

- After visiting the pyramids, we had a brief visit to the papyrus center where we were shown how papyrus sheets were made from the papyrus plants, which is a kind of reed. We had lunch at an Egyptian restaurant afterwards, then off we went to Memphis, the first capital of Egypt since upper and lower Egypt were united in 3100BCE, originally called Min-Nefer (Memphis is a Greek name.) It was the capital of Egypt until Luxor (then Thebes) gained prominence in the 2000s BCE. It was finally abandoned in 7th century CE when Alexandria in the north gained prominence due to Roman dominance. Despite this, the open air museum has remnants of the richness of Memphis, including numerous status of Ramesses II, one of the most respected kings in Egyptian history.

Papyrus Center.

What papyrus looks like.

Now at Memphis, with the Colossus of Ramesses II.

A small sphinx.

Another statue of Ramesses II.

Many artefacts at the open air museum.

- Finally, we ended the afternoon by dropping by at Saqqara, a village in Giza where the oldest pyramid stands: the Step Pyramid of Djoser. The pyramid, which shows big steps instead of the finer triangular look of those in Giza. Djoser's pyramid was also built around 100 years before the Giza pyramids (that is, in 2600+ BCE.)

This reminds me more of pyramids in Latin America.

Djoser's funerary complex.

Pillar after pillar.

Yes, I'm happy because I can't believe I'm here!

These aren't the Giza pyramids, but other pyramids. Left: Sneferu's Bent Pyramid. Right: Sneferu's Red Pyramid.

Ruins.

More tombs.

Step pyramid from afar.

- The whole tour we had was so well-paced, I was able to do most of what I wanted to experience in Giza (yes, all these places I mentioned above are within the Giza governorate). Of course, given more time, I would have waned to see more areas of the Giza Necropolis, as well as the Saqqara necropolis. These places were nothing short of spectacular, and I ended the day with more curiosity than when I arrived in Egypt!