Don't worry, I'm not going to explain all 80 pyramids in this blog. But the title does indicate that there is much more to tell about the pyramids than you may have thought. In this blog we tell you more about our trip to the pyramids with the kids as part of our backpacking trip through Egypt during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is our third day in Egypt and we have just had our breakfast. Today we check out in Cairo and go in search of the pyramids. During this trip we deliberately placed the pyramids at the front of our itinerary, so that the children can experience these behemoths the day after arrival. Because what could be more 'Egypt' than the pyramids?
I had contacted Egypt tours portal (see the website here) in advance and made a nice deal. We will be picked up from our hotel in the middle of Cairo and will first visit the pyramids of Giza and then continue to the pyramid of Djoser (Saqqara). What is really super relaxed is that we were able to arrange for them to drop us off at another hotel. Normally they don't, but it's a tip because negotiate out!
After an hour, the pyramids slowly loom in the distance. The big city really surrounds these behemoths. When we reach the pyramids we see what we hoped for, but did not expect, it is really very empty. There are exactly two buses, but that's it. In my previous visits, tens of thousands of tourists stood here every day. (14.7 million a year!).
Short story: The pharaohs of Egypt thought they would become gods in the afterlife. To prepare for the next world, they erected temples to the gods and huge pyramid tombs for themselves - filled with all the things any ruler would need to guide and sustain themselves in the next world.
Pharaoh Khufu started the first pyramid project of Giza, circa 2550 BC.
De piramiden van Gizeh
The Pyramids of Giza have done exactly what they're supposed to: last forever. The monumental tombs are remnants of the ancient kingdom of Egypt and were built some 4,500 years ago.
If you walk around here with children, you will notice that the information given by the guide is not fully heard by the children. The immense pyramids attract attention. But to be honest, after 10 minutes of looking at this pile of stones, the tension in the children is gone again. Drie tips:
Go as early in the morning as possible!
Don't forget a hat!
Visit the pyramid from the inside!
As mentioned above, the first pyramid of Giza was built by pharaoh Khufu circa 2550 B.C. This 147 meter high pyramid is also called the 'Great Pyramid'. Little fact: it is estimated that 2.3 stone blocks were used at 2.5 to 15 tons!
The second pyramid was built by his son, Pharaoh Khafre. (2520 B.C.). This also includes the Sphinx, the mystical fun with pharaoh head.
The third, and smaller pyramid is the pyramid built by pharaoh Menkaure (2490 B.C.).
The pyramid inside
Is this worth it? Yes! Is it beautiful inside? Not that. And yet we recommend that you visit the pyramid with children. Please note, this will cost you an extra €20 per adult! You must leave your photo/video equipment behind, a telephone is still allowed. To get to the entrance you first have to climb a part of the pyramid, that's where the adventure begins for the children.
Once 'inside' the real adventure begins, this is great fun for children! A winding path inside, some climbing and scrambling further and you come across a 160m long sloping 'staircase'. The hallways are narrow (about 1mx1m) so I really recommend only going in when it's quiet. This is a two way road...
But all the climbing and sweating (and yes that goes very quickly due to the large temperature difference) is definitely worth it. Although the treasury on a sarcophagus is completely empty, this is probably the highlight for the children.
After the visit to the pyramids we drive a bit of the pyramids. Here you have a beautiful view of the pyramids, ideal for a nice photo moment. Although I don't think taking a picture without other tourists like us is easy.
Therefore, and I keep repeating it, go now that it is so quiet!
In the next blog you will read more about the visit to the Sphinx and finally to the pyramid of Djoser!
