Ruins – Before I Kick it Travel

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

Saqqara Pyramids

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.

The Mastaba of Akhethotep and Ptahhotep

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 Pyramid

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.

Luxor is a much quieter, smaller town compared to Cairo. However, it has some of the most well-preserved ancient ruins in the country. Many of the tombs still have colorful hieroglyphic writings, which is amazing considering that the writings are over 4 thousand years old. There are many things to see, so here are the top 10 things to do in Luxor.

1. Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings is located on the West Bank of the Nile and is where Egyptians built tombs into cut out rock for pharaohs and powerful nobles. There are 63 tombs and chambers in the valley and they are all located at different depths underground based on how long the person lived. The walls of the tombs tell stories of Egyptian mythology and funeral rituals. It is one of the highlights of Luxor.

2. Tomb of Merenptah

The tomb of Merenptah is located in the Valley of the Kings. He was the son of one of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt, Ramesses II. The pathway to the burial chamber extends 160 meters underground. On your walk underground, there are beautiful and interesting decorations and color stretching from the ceiling to the floors.

3. Tomb of Ramesses III

Located in the Valley of the Kings, the tomb of Ramesses III is one of the largest in the valley. His mummified body is not available for the public to see, but it apparently set the framework for Hollywood’s depiction of mummies.

4. Tomb of King Tutankhamun

The tomb of King Tutankhamun (known as King Tut) was built quickly because he died at age 19. Because of his early death, the walls are only painted instead of carved. As a result, some would say that the paint has not survived well over time. It still looked amazing to me. You must buy an extra ticket (about $5) to visit King Tut’s tomb, but you will be able to see his mummified body, which is really cool. You are not allowed to take photos in the tomb, even if you have a photo pass.

5. Tomb of Ramesses VI

His tomb is one of the largest in the Valley of the Kings. During his reign of only six years, he took on a large building program in Upper Egypt. His mummified body is now located in the Egyptian Museum.

6. Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is located near the Valley of the Kings. It is thought to be one of the “incomparable moments of ancient Egypt.” It has undergone quite a bit of restoration, but that does not take away from the interesting nature of the place. For architecture lovers, Hatshepsut’s temple is considered the closest Egypt came to classical architecture. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically-confirmed female pharaoh.

7. Karnak Temple

The Karnak Temple dates from around 2055 BC to around 100 AD. It is one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed. The place is massive and it is a wonder how the Egyptians even built it. Egyptians celebrated the end of the annual agricultural cycle at Karnak and Luxor for twenty-seven days. During the festival, the people were giving over 11,000 loaves of bread and more than 385 jars of beer.

8. Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during Dynasty XVII. The name comes from Memnon who was know as a hero of the Trojan War. Floods from the Nile and a large earthquake in 27 BC did a lot of damage to the statues, but their large size still feels like they are the gateway to the city.

9. Medinet Habu (Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III)

The Medinet Habu is located on the West Bank of Luxor. Tourist rarely visit the temple, but it is worth the visit, since the walls still have a lot of detail. It is known as the best source of inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea People during Ramesses III’s reign.

10. The Temple of Luxor

The Temple of Luxor, also known as the southern sanctuary, is the site of the famous city of Thebes. It is unlike most of the other temple, since it is not dedicated to a god or specific king’s death. However, it may have been used to rejuvenate kingship. In front of the temple is the avenue of the Sphinxes, which ran all the way to the temples at Karnak. Visit the temple at night when it is all lit up and looks like it came right out of a Hollywood movie.

Tag: Ruins

Egypt: Exploring the Pyramids in Cairo