Giza Pyramid, Giza, Egypt

The Giza Pyramid Complex, located on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most iconic and well-known archaeological sites in the world.

Giza Pyramid: Al Haram, Giza Governorate 3512201
Date Picture Taken: February, 2024

It consists of three main pyramids: the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops), the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. These pyramids were built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, around 2580–2560 BC.

I was in front of the hotel while waiting for the Uber. The public bus is worn down so much that I won’t recommend it for tourists.

The Uber took me to the Giza Pyramid Ticket Area, where I bought the tickets.  These pictures were taken while I walked to the entrance to the Pyramid Area.

Looking at the right side

The area just after the entrance.  There are three major pyramids, but only two are enormous, and one on the left is a much smaller pyramid.

Looked at the right side

Another look at the Pyramids

The pyramid in front is the Pyramid of Khafre.  It is the second-tallest of the ancient pyramids of Giza & tomb of the pharaoh Khafre, dating to c. 2570 BCE.

The pyramid on the right is the Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Khufu). The largest and oldest of the three pyramids, the Great Pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khufu. Originally standing at 146.6 meters (481 feet), it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

Walked past the Great Sphinx of Giza because I could not find the entrance to it.  I would come back later.

I could purchase the camel ride to the pyramid if I wanted to.

The Pyramid of Khafre

And the Great Pyramid of Gize (Pyramid of Khufu) on the right.

Looked at the back side

Walked closer to the pyramid

There are two small pyramids in front of the Pyramid of Giza, and they are the Pyramid of Queen Henutsen and the Pyramid of Queen Hetepheres I

Pyramid of Khafre upclose

Great Pyramid of Giza.  This pyramid is taller than the Pyramid Khafre but looks shorter, and this is because the pyramid was built on the lower ground.

The Pyramid of Khafre again.  I was in between the two pyramids.

This road goes to the panoramic viewpoint of the pyramids, which was my next destination.

Looked at the back side

Walked around the Pyramid of Khafre

Then you can see the Pyramid of Menkaure.  It is the smallest of the Great Pyramids, at 65 m., built in 2490 BCE as the tomb of the Pharaoh Menkaure.

Walked toward the Pyramid of Menkaure

Looked back at the Pyramid of Khafre

Another view

Yet another view of the same pyramid

Panoramic view of the area

In front of the Pyramid of Khafre are still three smaller pyramids containing the graves of King Khufu’s relatives.

From the Pyramid Panorama Viewpoint, one can see all eight pyramids.  From this vantage point, the three giant pyramids seem the same size, but one closer is much smaller than the other.  It looks the same because it is much closer to the camera.

Walked back to the entrance

I took one last close look at the two giant pyramids

I returned to the entrance to the pyramids because I didn’t see the Great Sphinx of Giza the first time around.

Walked back toward the pyramids, but this time, the target was the sphinx

Here, this is the entrance to the sphinx

The purpose of the Great Sphinx is not definitively known. Various theories suggest that it served as a guardian or protective deity for the Giza Necropolis. Some theories also propose symbolic or astronomical significance.

The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. The head is believed to represent a pharaoh, commonly thought to be Pharaoh Khafre, whose pyramid is located nearby.

I stopped at the nearby restaurant for a meal