Khafre's casing
The summit of Khafre's pyramid keeps part of its limestone casing, showing the original finish.
Ricardo Liberato — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ricardo Liberato — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ricardo Liberato — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ricardo Liberato — CC BY 2.5
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, and the oldest of them. The Great Pyramid was built by Khufu about forty-five centuries ago, and remained the tallest structure made by humans for more than three thousand eight hundred years, a record nothing else in history has come near. The site holds three main pyramids, for Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, alongside queens' pyramids, mastabas and the Sphinx. Khafre's pyramid looks taller than Khufu's because it stands on higher ground, and it still keeps part of its limestone casing at the summit, which gives an idea of how they originally looked when entirely smooth. The surprise for most visitors is the proximity: the plateau sits directly on the edge of Giza and the city reaches it. The mental image of pyramids in the middle of endless desert is not accurate from every angle. Going inside a pyramid is a separate additional ticket, and the passages are narrow, steeply angled, hot and almost unventilated. There is nothing to see inside but an empty burial chamber, so the decision rests on your curiosity rather than on any view.
The summit of Khafre's pyramid keeps part of its limestone casing, showing the original finish.
Narrow hot passages ending in an empty chamber — the decision is about curiosity.
Camel and horse offers at the gates are a common source of dispute — settle it in writing first.
Giza Plateau, Giza Governorate, on the edge of Cairo
It depends on you. The passage is narrow, steep, hot and almost unventilated, and the interior is a bare stone chamber with no carving or furnishing. Anyone who wants to say they went in, or who is drawn to the internal engineering, will find it worthwhile. Anyone claustrophobic or with breathing difficulty should skip it entirely.
Firmly and calmly. Unofficial camel, horse and guide offers are common and a recurring source of disputes over price after the fact. Do not accept any service without an agreed, written price beforehand, and do not hand your ticket or phone to anyone. Booking through an official operator or a reputable hotel avoids much of this.
November to March, and early morning specifically. The plateau is exposed with no shade and the summer heat is punishing. Morning gives better light, fewer people and a bearable temperature.
