The most famous pyramids in the world are located near Cairo, Egypt. Did you know that they were built as tombs for pharaohs and high-ranking officials? Also, the shape of the pyramid (a three-dimensional triangle with the top reaching towards the sky) symbolized the pharaoh’s ascent to the afterlife and connection with the gods. How cool is that? I learned so many things during my day exploring the pyramids. So, without spoiling all the facts, here is an article to prepare you for your day and answer all your questions!
How I booked this day trip
I preferred to book my day trip with my hostel, so that meant they were picking me up at my residence and bringing me back at the end of the day. I find it easier to book through my hostel because you can ask all the questions you have (unlike when you book online). You can also always check the reviews of the hostel to see if the tour is nice. + There are usually fewer people when you book through your habitations than online. For us, it was only me (Léonie), my boyfriend and my friend with our guide. During the day, we saw multiple groups of 10–15 people. I didn’t ask them, but they gave me the impression of being TripAdvisor or Viator groups. I also know for a fact you can book your day trips through 90% of your hostel and hotel reception.
I stayed at Deluxe Australien Hotel. Our guide was super friendly. I had such a nice day. Keep in mind that I was able to book last minute because I went to Cairo in January (low season). If you plan on going to Egypt in the summer, I recommend emailing your hostel/hotel to reserve a place in advance for the day you want to visit the pyramids.
If this option doesn’t sound right for you, you can also book online. There are many options on TripAdvisor and Viator. This way, you can compare the activities and the prices and choose the best one for you.
As for the price now. It cost us 4 005,00 EGP (175$ CAD) for 3 people, so 59$ CAD each. This price included our guide and the transportation. However, I didn’t include the entrance fee for the museum and the site of the pyramids.
How I spent my day
We were picked up at our hostel, and we started our day right away. I want to tell you the 3 main activities we did during our tour. We also stopped when we were in the center of Cairo in an art shop and spices store. However, I don’t have any pictures and I don’t remember the name of the place. Honestly, we didn’t stay long enough because our guide saw that we weren’t going to buy souvenirs. Of course, we stopped for lunch during the day at a tourist restaurant. Let’s just say that it wasn’t the highlight of the day, so it’s not worth precising. Now that you are all up to speed, let’s start to analyze the day.
PS : Almost every tour company does this circuit, so you will most likely have the same day as me even if you don’t book through the same hostel as me.
1. The Open Air Museum of Memphis
The first stop was at the Open Air Museum of Memphis. As it says in the name, this museum is mostly outside. It’s filled with statues and artisanal markets. It takes about 45 minutes to view everything. The main attraction in this museum is the massive statue of King Ramses II. The entrance fee is 60 EGP (3$ CAD) for an adult and free for kids.
2. The Step Pyramid of Djoser
The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the first pyramid to be built in Egypt. It’s not the most impressive one, but the history around its origin is interesting and captivating. It’s also possible to enter this pyramid with no extra fee. The tunnel is very small and even in January, it was very hot inside. As you can see in the video (sorry for the quality), you can stand up at the end of the tunnel. The walls are covered in Egyptian symbols.
3. Great Pyramid of Giza & the Sphinx
The only remaining wonders of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest and most iconic pyramid in the world. It stands approximately at 146 meters (481 feet) tall. Built for Pharaoh Khufu, it is constructed with massive limestone and granite blocks.
It is possible to enter this pyramid, but there is an extra fee and there is always a line of people.
There are also 2 other pyramids right by The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Pyramid of Khafre is slightly smaller than the Great Pyramid but appears taller due to its higher elevation on the ground. There is also the Pyramid of Menkaure. It’s the smallest of the three main Giza pyramids, dedicated to Pharaoh Menkaure.
Finally, we can’t forget the Great Sphinx, a colossal limestone statue with the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion.
Do you need a guide?
Yes! Absolutely yes!! Trust me on this one, you cannot do this day without a guide. The history of Egypt is so complex and important. Your guide will give you all the context and information you need to understand what you see. You will not enjoy the day as much if you don’t understand what was happening at that time. So, the one thing you need to remember is that a guide is the first step to having a successful day visiting the pyramids.
