If you’re also dreaming of exploring the majestic Egyptian pyramids, look no further. In this article, I’ll be your guide to planning an extraordinary pyramid experience. Not only will I provide valuable travel tips, but I’ll also share insider knowledge to ensure you make the most of your journey through these timeless marvels.
Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur.
As I planned my trip to Egypt, an exhilarating thought consumed my mind: fulfilling my Indiana Jones dreams by entering a real pyramid. Little did I know that my journey would lead me to the oldest pyramid in the world, located in the heart of Djoser, Saqqara, only 23 km away from the iconic Giza Plateau. During my trip I also discovered that there were even more pyramids awaiting exploration in the neighboring Dahshur.
If you’re also dreaming of exploring the majestic Egyptian pyramids, look no further. In this article, I’ll be your guide to planning an extraordinary pyramid experience. Not only will I provide you with valuable travel tips, but I’ll also share insider knowledge to ensure you make the most of your journey through these timeless marvels.
Best time to travel to Egypt.
To truly appreciate the magnificence of the pyramids, consider visiting them during a milder season, typically from October to April, to avoid the scorching heat. Additionally, aim to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds.
What to take with you:
Be sure to pack enough water to stay hydrated throughout your desert exploration. The scorching sun can be relentless, so don’t forget to bring a sunhat to shield yourself from its intense rays.
Also applying a high SPF sunscreen, preferably 50 SPF, is essential to protect your skin from sunburns.
Keep in mind that in some cases to get the entrance ticket to the pyramids you will be only able to pay in cash. Therefore it is really advisable to always have cash with. Please remember that you would also need to pay in cash for the access to the toilet.
How to optimize your time?
Start your day early to maximize your time at the pyramids. I highly recommend waking up early and renting a car. However, please take into consideration that driving in Egypt can be challenging and this is why we decided to hire a local driver and an English-speaking local tour guide.
Why hire a local guide to explore Pyramids?
- It helps you to save a lot of time, because you don’t have to constantly look for a taxi or the next uber.
- They share with you insider tips.
- Egyptian drivers usually speak the local language, so you might have communication problems, so your guide doubles as your translator.
- You can learn a lot about Egyptian culture from them.
- They usually help you to negotiate the prices.
- They know the best photo spots in Egypt.
- Unlike organized tours that may have mandatory stops at certain shops or locations, with a personal guide, you can adjust your itinerary to your preferences. This allows you in most cases to fully concentrate on the sights and experiences that interest you the most.
- You support the local economy.
Our guide was a lovely Egyptian single mother, who shared with me her personal story. Being passionate about supporting women, I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute in some way to her well-being. If you would like to contact her, please let me know and I wish to share with you her phone number.
Important to know: Guides are not allowed to enter pyramids, but they can walk with you around them.
What about Uber and taxi services?
You may be wondering about whether Uber operates in Egypt. Indeed, Uber is available, but I would advise against relying on Uber or taxi services for this particular itinerary.
If your itinerary includes only visiting the Great Pyramid of Giza, Uber can be a suitable transportation option. However, if you plan to explore other locations beyond Giza, such as Saqqara or Dahshur, it is still advisable to consider alternative means of transportation, the challenges of navigating through the desert and the limited availability of Uber in remote areas. It’s best to avoid the risk of being stranded in the middle of nowhere, waiting for the next car to arrive (if it arrives at all).
One-Day Pyramid Itinerary
GIZA
8:00 AM – Start your day at the Giza Plateau, home to the world-famous pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Giza Pyramids are located only 15 km from Cairo and they open at 8:00 AM. Try to get there before 8:00, because you will have to queue to get the tickets. We arrived in Giza at 7:50 AM.
Pyramids of Giza Opening Hours
Summer (April – September): 8 AM – 5 PM
Winter (October – March): 8 AM – 4 PM
Last admission: one hour before closing time, i.e. 4 PM in summer and 3 PM in winter.
Tickets price:
The entrance fee for visiting the Pyramids of Giza depends on your nationality. Egyptian citizens and nationals of other Arab countries can enjoy free entry. However, visitors from other countries are required to pay an entrance fee of 240 Egyptian pounds. If you would like to enter the Great Pyramid of Giza it will cost you extra 440 EGP. I was considering going inside the Great Pyramid, but our schedule was really tight, so I decided to skip it this time. My main goal was the oldest Pyramid in Saqqara and the famous Red Pyramid in Dahshur.
|
Giza Pyramids |
240 EGP |
|
Entry to inside the Great Pyramid |
440 EGP |
|
Entry to inside the 2nd or the 3rd Pyramid |
100 EGP |
The Great Sphinx of Giza
Don’t forget to capture the iconic photo with the Sphinx as your backdrop, a true symbol of Egypt’s ancient civilization. To save time, ask your driver to bring you near to the Sphinx, as it might be very hot and the Great Sphinx of Giza is located 532 meters from the Great Giza Pyramid. Access to the Sphinx is included in the general admission ticket for the Giza Pyramids (as of May 2023).
Camel ride
Another popular activity at the Giza Pyramids is camel riding. However, it’s important to be cautious of unscrupulous camel jockeys, who will do their best to maximize their profits. You might be wondering now what the fair price for a camel ride might be. The answer is – it depends if you are Egyptian or if you are willing to negotiate the price, what is encouraged here. It was our tour guide, who helped us to find the reliable service. However, we did not escape from paying a tourist price. A 15 minute ride cost us 500 Egyptian pounds, which according to our local friend was pretty high. Please mind that prices are rapidly changing due to inflation, so it would be advisable to double-check them with locals.
How much time do you need at Giza Complex?
I recommend you to spend 2 to 3 hours at the Giza Pyramids complex. This should give you enough time to explore the pyramids, take a camel ride and take a selfie with the Sphinx.
Why should you visit Giza?
- The Giza Pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- The Giza Pyramids are over 4,500 years old, dating back to the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. They served as royal tombs for pharaohs, highlighting the importance of these rulers and their beliefs in the afterlife.
- The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the three and was the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.
- The Giza complex is also home to the Great Sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human.
When visiting the Great Pyramid of Giza, it’s important to manage expectations regarding access to its inner chambers. While the recent discovery of a hidden corridor generated excitement, most parts of the pyramid’s interior remain off-limits to tourists.
However, visitors can still explore notable areas such as the King’s and the Queen’s Chambers, and the Grand Gallery. The King’s Chamber is the believed burial place of Pharaoh Khufu. Inside, you’ll find the monarch’s sarcophagus, a remarkable structure carved out of a single block of granite. Though the room may appear simple, it offers a captivating view of the pyramid’s robust architecture from within.
- SAQQARA & the Step Pyramid of Djoser
10:00 – 11:00 AM – Continue your journey to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser awaits you. It should take approximately 1 hour depending on traffic to get from Giza to Saqqara. To explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser and see the whole complex in Saqqara you will need around 2 hours. In 2020 it reopens to the public after 14-year restoration.
Step back in time as you explore the world’s oldest pyramid and admire its impressive, stepped structure. Wander through the surrounding complex, discovering ancient tombs, mastabas, and intricately decorated walls that offer glimpses into Egypt’s rich history.
In my opinion you should plan for Saqqara maximum 2 hours (including the Djoser Pyramid entrance).
Ticket price:
FOREIGNERS:
- Pyramid of Djoser:
Adult: EGP 150 / Student: EGP 75
EGYPTIANS/ARABS:
- Pyramid of Djoser:
Adult: EGP 40 / Student: EGP 20
Why should you visit Saqqara?
Let me share with you some interesting facts about Saqqara that I have learnt from a local Egyptologist and I have read in Egyptian literature.
- Saqqara is one the most important and richest necropolis in Egypt and it is huge (22 km from north to south and about 7 km from east to west), where the largest and most beautiful tombs of the Old Kingdom were built.
- The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest surviving pyramid in the world and it was built around 4,700 years ago. It represents a significant architectural advancement, marking the transition from mastaba tombs to pyramid structures. It was a milestone in world architecture, as limestone was first used on a large scale as construction material and for the first time the royal tomb had the shape of a pyramid. It was built for Djoser – the first king of the Third Egyptian Dynasty (the first golden age in the history of Egypt).
- The Step Pyramid is unique in its design, featuring six distinct, stacked levels or steps, giving it a stepped appearance. Originally standing at around 6 tiers, it reached a height of approximately 62 meters (203 feet).
- The pyramid was designed by a Pharaoh’s son – Imhotep, the vizier of Djoser, who is considered to be a genius. He was an architect, a magician, a philosopher and a doctor. Greeks identified him as Asclepius, the god of healing. He is also considered to be the author of the lost Book of Knowledge. It is believed that Imhotep learnt in Memphis how to carve the stones. He first became a sculptor and architect. The bronze statue found at Djoser complex suggests that he also became a “chief minister”.
- Saqqara is not as touristic as Giza and the experience is different.
- It is a must for all history enthusiasts.
Inside the Step Pyramid.
The entrance to the pyramid is located on the northern side, and visitors can access it through a narrow passageway that leads into the subterranean gallery and other chambers within the pyramid. The staircase is the main access point to explore the interior of the pyramid. However, please note that the specific number of steps may vary slightly depending on the condition of the staircase and any restoration work that has been carried out.
Following the corridor, you will be led to a viewpoint overlooking the burial well with the sarcophagus.
Please remember that it might get pretty hot inside the pyramid. Furthermore, if you have claustrophobia or any health-related concerns, going through the tight spaces within the pyramid may be challenging. However, I believe that going inside the Pyramid of Djoser is way easier than entering the Red Pyramid in Dahshur, which I will talk about below.
- Dahshur – Red Pyramid& Bent Pyramid
Depart from Saqqara around 1:00 or 2:00 PM and make your way to Dahshur, which should take around 30 minutes to 1 hour. Plan for approximately 2 hours to visit both the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid in Dahshur.
Tickets:
Red Pyramid 80 EGP
Bent Pyramid 80 EGP
(as of May 2023)
Please remember that recently prices in Egypt rapidly changed.
The Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid, also known as the North Pyramid, is one of the most prominent pyramids in the Dahshur necropolis area, located near Cairo, Egypt. Its name derives from the reddish hue of the limestone blocks used in its construction.
It’s worth mentioning that if you’re considering entering the Red Pyramid, it’s advisable to be in good physical condition. To get to the entrance you need to walk up for a couple of minutes. The journey inside involves descending a long and steep tunnel, which can be quite challenging. The passageway is narrow, and you may need to crouch or walk in a bent position as you make your way down. If you have claustrophobia or any physical limitations I would advise you against entering the Red Pyramid.
Once you get inside, after passing the tunnel you will need to climb up the wooden stairs, which provide you with the access to further chambers within the pyramid. The Red Pyramid offers an extraordinary experience, but it’s crucial to be aware of the physical demands and spatial constraints involved. If you’re fit and prepared for the unique challenges it presents, exploring the Red Pyramid can be a rewarding and memorable adventure.
The Bent Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid is an intriguing pyramid located in the Dahshur necropolis.
It is called the “Bent Pyramid” due to its unusual shape, characterized by a change in inclination partway up the structure. Here’s the story behind the Bent Pyramid:
This is one of the pyramids built by King Sneferu, the father of the pharaoh Khufu (the same famous pharaoh buried at the Great Pyramid of Giza). It was called “bent” because of its broken lines due to a change of angle, an engineering issue in its design. The king’s architects had to come up really fast with a new idea and at short notice they built the Red Pyramid. Archaeologists now believe that the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form between step-sided and smooth-sided pyramids.
To get to the Bent Pyramid I had to take the stairs leading to the second entrance located high on the west face of the pyramid. It was pretty challenging because of the high temperature and the distance, but when I finally arrived at the top the view of the desert was really breathtaking.
Shortly I will come back to you with other tips about Egypt. If you want to learn more, follow me on Instagram.
