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Galloping across the Arabian Desert on a white Arabian stead with the Pyramids and Cairo in the distance, should be on everyone’s ‘list of things to do before you die.'
The Pyramids of Giza, despite having been overexposed by tour companies in Egypt and abroad, is the only remaining Seven Wonders of the World. As you drive towards them through Cairo they actually hardly look impressive. The sights, smells and noise of the surrounding streets can be overwhelming: litter, air pollution making the view hazy, donkeys being beaten to pull overladen carts, and chaotic traffic devoid of road rules. Even after arriving at the gate on the outskirts of the city the typical Egyptian way of bargaining is again enough to distract you from the real reason why you are there. Smelly and belching camels - the slow option, or horses - the faster option, are presented as the perfect way to view the pyramids. You are not allowed to walk around on your own. Bargaining is always done in a hail of spit, inevitable due to missing teeth and animated speech. But once you have chosen your mode of transport, and leave all but your own guide behind, you will finally be able to concentrate on what is up ahead. Ride around to the opposite side, and further into the desert to look back at the pyramids, and only then you can appreciate the size and shape of them. They rise spectacularly out of the sand, a couple of camels usually wondering around in front of them to give true perspective of their size. The city of Cairo sprawls behind them as far as the eye can see. Go in closer to view the size of each man-made stone. 5000 years ago each of the 2,5 million huge 'bricks' used to build these pyramids was man-made and moved without the help of machinery. Each of the three pyramids (The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kofhre and the Smaller Pyramid of Menkaura) is a tomb of a former Egyptian king. In front lies the Sphinx (Abu al-Hol in Arabic, meaning 'Father of Terror'), the cat like sculpture that is carved out of a single block of stone. Tunnels and chambers underneath the pyramids were all pre-planned and the stones pre-shaped, before being laid. These cool chambers are where the kings were laid to rest, along with treasures to help them in the afterlife. If you don't suffer from claustrophobia and have strong knees - the tunnels leading down to the chambers are extremely steep - your guide can take you down.
The copyright of the article Pyramids of Giza in Egypt Travel is owned by Nina Challis. Permission to republish Pyramids of Giza in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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