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!  

** Check out my other adventures in Egypt here!

Part 1: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and Giza Pyramid View Inn (Rooftop Cafe) - here

Part 2: Islamic Cairo - here

Part 4: Coptic Cairo - here

Part 5: Luxor - here

Part 6: Aswan - here

Part 7: Abu Simbel - here

Part 8: Dendera and Medinet Habu - here     

Part 9: Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Abdeen Palace Museum - here

Egypt, Ever a Wonder! (Part 1): The Gems of Cairo and Giza

- March 27-28, 2026, Friday to Saturday. 

- Egypt has always been in my bucket list ever since was a kid. At some point, I fancied the idea of being an Egyptologist before life redirected me to Indology/Indian Studies. But Egypt has never stopped being fascinating and I'm glad I finally had the chance to visit it this time.

- An extra hurdle to the trip is the current geopolitical situation in West Asia. Since my dad and I were to fly with Emirates, there was obviously a stopover in Dubai, whose airport was recently affected by the missile strikes in the region. With flights to West Asia being cancelled here and there around a week or two before our flight, I thought that maybe my Egypt dreams have to be put on hold yet again. But thankfully, things went smoothly, and we were able to fly from Manila on the late evening of the 27th, arriving in Cairo on the 28th after a short stopover in Dubai.

- For Philippine passport holders, a standard visa processed by the Embassy of Egypt is necessary. However, those holding a VALID AND USED multiple-entry visa to any of these countries/zones (i.e., USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Canada, Schengen) are currently eligible to apply for a visa-on-arrival at Cairo International Airport. Fortunately, my dad and I had valid and used Japan visas, so we only had to pay 30USD (yes, should be paid in USD) at the airport. Just look for one of the bank stalls at the arrival hall right before the immigration, pay, and you'll get your visa sticker. However, the immigration officer should be the one to stick it on the passport.

- Traveling around Cairo is easy since Uber is available. Cairo also has a metro station, but because of time constraints I was not able to try it out during my stay. From the airport, we rode an Uber to Steigenberger Hotel at Tahrir Square, which is the main downtown area of Cairo. 

- After checking in and having a quick lunch at a restaurant across the hotel, we wasted no time and immediately went to the current largest museum in the world (based on exhibition area size), the Grand Egyptian Museum or "GEM". Because of its size, it also gets the honor of being the largest museum in the world dedicated to Egyptian artifacts. Only opened on November 1, 2025, it is the newest addition to the roster of prominent museums across Egypt. GEM is located in Giza, which technically isn't in Cairo anymore but a separate governorate, and just across the famous pyramids.

On the way to Giza, saw Cairo Tower.

Nile River.

I spy with my little eye....

What a way to start my adventures in Egypt!

Finally arrived at GEM!

Statue of Ramesses II.

Grand staircase.

- GEM features some artifacts from the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square (yes, this one's actually just beside our hotel) apart from many more collections in its almost infinite galleries. One of its most prized artifacts is the well-preserved golden funeral bust of Tutankhamun from 14th century BCE.

Funeral mask of Tutankhamun.

Lighting was chaotic.

Tutankhamun's sarcophagus.

One of the inner burial chambers.

One of the outer chambers of King Tut's tomb.

- Another major artifact to not be missed is the sun barque of Khufu from around 26th century BC. Despite its size, it was meant for use in the afterlife. It was actually found right beside the pyramids, and was originally displayed in the necropolis before being moved to GEM recently.

Hatshepsut.

Pyramid view.

Small sphinx.

- The GEM was difficult to finish even within a day, so we only visited the main artifacts to save time. Aside from this, I was chasing the sunset at Giza too, so we hopped on an Uber to Giza Pyramids View Inn, one of the smaller hotels just outside the Giza necropolis. It had a rooftop restaurant with a view of the pyramids and the sphinx! 

How many pharaohs have seen a sunset like this?

So much geometry.

Really, you're paying for the view.

Giza at dusk.

Hello sphinx!

Back at Tahrir Square after dinner.

- Frankly, the food wasn't that great, but the view was definitely priceless! Despite a worrying trip to Cairo, our first day in Egypt was a reward for making it to the country safely. Of course, this was only the beginning of more things to explore and experience in the land of one of the earliest civilizations of the world! 

** Check out my other adventures in Egypt here!

Part 2: Islamic Cairo - here

Part 3: Pyramids of Giza, Memphis, and Saqqara - here

Part 4: Coptic Cairo - here

Part 5: Luxor - here

Part 6: Aswan - here

Part 7: Abu Simbel - here

Part 8: Dendera and Medinet Habu - here     

Part 9: Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Abdeen Palace Museum - here