Viator Viator Travel Blog

As long as I can remember I have wanted to see the Pyramids and Egypt in general has always been on my top 3 wishlist. After months of anticipation I finally got to cross it off my list on the Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara.

Our guide for the day, Akhmet (though he prefers to go by the name David Beckham…) is an Egyptologist and Archaeologist, spending his days showing tourists the sites of Cairo or on his knees sweeping vast quantities of sand from ancient sites with a tiny little brush. Working for the Egyptian Government 10 days a month, he searches for lost treasures and was a man who clearly loves his job.

The Sphinx and Pyramid of Khafre

Leaving our hotel behind the 30 minute drive to Giza was predictably terrifying as every experience on Cairo roads tends to be. Along the way Becks as he will be forever known, told us a little about Cairo, a brief of the history of the city and casually pointed out a few of the famous landmarks. Chatting away oblivious to our surroundings, we crossed over the river and Becks nonchalantly mentioned “Oh, there’s the Pyramids…”

Just like that, there they were. Only a few kilometers away and literally a few meters from the edge of Cairo city limits, the Pyramids loom on the horizon for all to see.

When you see photos of them they always seem to be in the middle of the desert with no sign of civilisation around. Surely they are miles and miles from the city on some lonely plateau in the middle of the desert, only accessible after days of traveling on the back of a camel through harsh terrain. Ok so that’s a slightly exaggerated impression but you get my point. The only remaining member of the original Seven Wonders of the World seems slightly out of place sitting next door to the joint KFC/Pizza Hut franchise! Where exactly do those romantic desert photographs come from?

The answer became apparent as we arrived at the edge of the city. Just as abruptly as the sides of the pyramids rise from the sand, the city stops and there’s nothing but desert. Its like there is an invisible wall holding back the city, you can physically turn your back on modern civilisation and step into ancient Egypt.

Hubby with the famous David Beckham!

Arriving on the plateau and standing between the 2 largest pyramids (Cheops and Khafre), Becks told us just a small bit of the vast amount there is to know about the magnificent structures that are even more impressive up close than I ever imagined. Guides are not allowed to go inside the pyramids (there is always at least 1 open to visitors) however Becks encouraged to g inside for a bit of fun. It only cost us the equivalent of about $5 so why not, when do you ever get to stand inside a building that is 4,000 years old?

There was not much to see inside, first you walk down a steep ramp which consists of pieces of wood nailed to the slippery granite floor, then up the other side to arrive in the burial chamber, The sarcophagus is still there but nothing else, however it is kind of cool to stand there knowing it was once full of treasures and a mummy! It’s pretty mind-blowing. It’s also pretty hot, so we did not linger too long. If you decide to do this be warned the passage way is low and narrow, not good if you are claustrophobic or have bad knees. I am not a tall person but I had a headache by the time I came out from hitting my head on the roof at least a dozen times…

Coming back outside and you are faced with the only negative part of the pyramids — touts. I was surprised that they were less aggressive than expected (Thailand is 10 times worse) and generally took “la shu-kran” — no thank you, for an answer and moved on. Having run the gauntlet on camel owners, postcard sellers and “have your picture taken with a silly Pharoah’s headress” guys, it was back to the lovely air-conditioning of the minibus for a short trip to the other side of the Pyramids for that “classic” shot of the 3 of them lined up together.

Driving back to the city side of the plateau it was time to meet the Sphinx. I was wondering where it was?!

Tourist not traveler…

After years of hearing “its much smaller than it looks in pictures” and “its falling to pieces”, I was surprised to see how big and well preserved it is. Sure, in comparison to the pyramids looming in the background its not massive, but it ain’t small! Becks again did a great job of giving us the most interesting parts of its history (like that Napoleon blew off its nose and the British stole it!), took photos for us and then let us wander around for a while on our own. I am happy to say that not only the Pyramids, not the Sphinx also, wildly exceeded my expectations. Something everyone should see.

Before heading off we had to tick another “must-do” off the list — camel ride! Becks was kind enough to organise it for us and one quick phone call later we were sitting on the humps of a pair of ill-mannered, and quite frankly a little smelly, Arabian camels. They make possibly the most uncomfortable seats in the world, but hey, the photos look great!

–Kerrie O’Mahony

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Cairo and throughout Egypt. Also have a look at traveler photos of Egypt over on the Viator Flickr site.