Egypt: Exploring the Pyramids in Cairo

I am not sure my bucket list would have been complete if it did not include the pyramids in Cairo. Cairo is a bustling city, with a population of about 20 million people, making it one of the most crowded cities in Africa. Cairo sets the backdrop its main attractions for tourists, exploring the pyramids in Cairo. During my first trip to Egypt, there was so much smog in Cairo that it was nearly impossible to see the pyramids. I left the country very disappointed and under the impression that there was not much to see at all.

Luckily for me, I ended up in Cairo a little more than a year later and had near perfect weather. With blue skies, I had the chance to see one of the seven wonders of the world. There are about 80 pyramids in Egypt. The most popular tourist site and the most well-preserved pyramids are located at Giza. However, you should not overlook Saqqara, the first pyramids ever built.

Pyramids and Mastabas (tombs) in Egypt tell you a lot about how people in ancient times viewed life and death. Ancient Egyptians considered the sun to be a god. Everyday the sun rose in the east and set in the west. It brought life, food, and fortune. People expected their lives to mirror the sun. As a result, they believed they would spend a short time on earth, only to rise again.

To be prepared for the afterlife and the eventual return to earth, pharaohs were mummified and buried with treasures. Many of these treasures can be seen in the Egyptian Museum. If you cannot make your way to Egypt, you can visit the British Museum in London, where you can also see Egypt’s treasures

The history of the Egyptian pyramids began from around 2650 B.C.  Saqqara is the location where pharaohs built the first pyramids in Egypt. It is the most important and the richest necropolis (cemetery) in the country. It is completely surrounded by desert sands and located on the western bank of the Nile just south of Cairo.

Inside of the pyramids and mastabas, you can see the stories of the individuals who were buried in the tombs inscribed on the walls. Many of the texts and pictures provide unusual and rare details.

 The pyramid text are the oldest complete collection of religious writings. Spells, ritual chants, and anything else necessary to ensure the protection of the other world for the dead pharaoh were inscribed in tombs. As a result, there were 228 inscriptions, painted in blue and written in hieroglyphs to aid the pharaoh’s journey into eternity.

Giza is one of the 7 wonders of the world, and a must see. There are 3 big and 3 small pyramids at Giza. By the time Egyptians built Giza, they had better technology. For this reason, they are the most well-preserved pyramids in Egypt. The earthquake in Crete in 1303 was felt in all the way in Cairo and it dislodged the first layer of limestone that gave the pyramids their smooth appearance.

You can visit the pyramids anytime of the year. However, Egyptians tend to burn anything they can get their hands on in the winter, which creates a lot of smog. While it is blazing hot in the summer, it was much easier to see the the pyramids as well as the rest of the city without a cloud of smog hanging over the city. I recommend booking a tour guide to see the pyramids. It will give you a much richer, hassle free experience.

Check our my post on 10 Tips for Travel in Egypt for recommendations.