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The Pyramids and the Sphinx

Egypt houses the last surviving wonder of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramid of Giza. It and its neighbours at Giza were built around 4,500 years ago during the Old Kingdom era of ancient Egyptian civilization, specifically in the 4th dynasty, little more than a century after Egypt’s first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara. The Giza pyramid complex, part of the legacy from this era, stands out as a remarkable testament to ancient engineering prowess. Even in the 21st century, the pyramids continue to captivate viewers with their sheer magnitude and grandeur. Presently located near Cairo, they remain a source of fascination for visitors, historians, and archaeologists alike. The mystery surrounding their construction, with the Great Pyramid alone made of approximately 2.3 million limestone blocks averaging about 2.5 tonnes each, leaves experts pondering the methods employed by the ancient Egyptians to quarry, transport, and assemble these colossal structures.

Small Group Tour

Ancient History & Culture of Egypt

18-Day Tour · Cairo, Luxor, the Nile, Lake Nasser and Alexandria · Small group, up to 16 travellers, solo travellers welcome

Day 4 is spent with a qualified Egyptologist: the Step Pyramid at Saqqara in the morning, then the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Valley Temple and the Sphinx, with a short camel ride. Day 2 is a full day at the Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza Plateau.

View the Ancient History & Culture of Egypt Tour

Adjacent to the pyramids lies the enigmatic Sphinx statue, a 74-meter-long monument sculpted from the limestone bedrock of the Giza Plateau. Constructed between 2589 and 2504 B.C. (BCE), the Pyramids of Giza consist of three main pyramids – those of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, built as mortuary complexes for the respective rulers: King Khufu, Pharaoh Khafre, and Pharaoh Menkaure. These pyramids, each a marvel in its own right, symbolize the rich history and architectural sophistication of ancient Egypt.

The Pyramids of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Khufu

The Great Pyramid of Khufu, also known as Cheops, was commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu, the second ruler of the Fourth Dynasty and the son of Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres I. This iconic pyramid on the Giza plateau stood as the world’s tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years, until the spire of Lincoln Cathedral was completed around 1311. Egyptologists estimate that the construction of Khufu’s Pyramid spanned 23 years and was accomplished through the labor of conscripted workers. Originally towering at 146 meters, comparable to the height of a modern 40-storey office building, today it stands at approximately 138 meters in height. The Great Pyramid is flanked by three smaller pyramids, known as the Queens’ Pyramids, believed to have been constructed for Khufu’s three wives.

Initially encased in white limestone, the Great Pyramid’s casing has since been stripped away, much of it reused as building stone in medieval Cairo. However, the precision of the limestone blocks’ alignment was so remarkable that it is said a knife blade could not fit between them, underscoring the exceptional craftsmanship of the ancient builders.

Khafre’s Pyramid and the Sphinx

The head of the Great Sphinx with a pyramid behind

The Sphinx guards the pyramids

The Pyramid of Khafre, which keeps some of its original casing near the summit

Khafre, the son of Khufu, constructed the second pyramid at Giza around 2520 B.C. While the identity of Khafre’s mother remains uncertain, many scholars speculate that it could be Queen Meritites I, based on an inscription honoring her by Khafre. His pyramid, situated on slightly elevated ground relative to Khufu’s, was positioned to create the illusion of greater height, although it stands at a lesser 136 meters tall compared to the Great Pyramid. Some remnants of the original polished limestone casing still endure.

At the Giza complex stands the grand and imposing Great Sphinx, a colossal limestone statue embodying a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, traditionally credited to Khafre. This majestic figure is thought to have been sculpted in the likeness of the Pharaoh and placed there as a guardian of the pyramid ensemble. Despite enduring damage from natural elements like wind, groundwater, and air pollution over time, traces of red and blue pigment hint at its once vibrant appearance. Notably, the statue’s nose is absent. Popular stories blame Ottoman Turks or cannon fire by Napoleon’s troops, but drawings made before Napoleon’s arrival already show it missing, and the 15th-century historian al-Maqrizi records that the face was deliberately damaged in 1378. Presently, significant efforts are invested in conserving and safeguarding the Great Sphinx to prevent further deterioration from environmental factors. Concerns raised by geologists and archaeologists center around the potential collapse of the sphinx’s head due to erosion, particularly given the weakened state of its neck over time. Special attention is given to the area beneath the head, recognizing its susceptibility to erosive forces owing to its delicate composition.

Menkaure’s Pyramid

Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three pyramids

Menkaure, the son of Khafre, constructed the smallest pyramid amongst the famous trio, towering at 65 meters tall, which is approximately one-tenth of the size of Khufu’s colossal pyramid. This pyramid, built around 2490 B.C., signifies a shift in focus within ancient Egyptian practices, as Egyptology scholars suggest a transition from constructing grand tombs to elaborate temples dedicated to the gods. Despite its size, Menkaure’s pyramid has an intricate interior, with passages and chambers cut on several levels into the bedrock beneath it. Interestingly, Menkaure passed away before the completion of his pyramid, and it was finalized by his son, Shepseskaf.

The three pyramids at Giza

Each of these pyramids was meticulously crafted as a sacred mausoleum to safeguard the Pharaoh’s remains and aid in their journey to the afterlife, equipped with provisions for the eternal voyage. The presence of sarcophagi in the pyramids solidifies the belief that they served as royal burial grounds. However, despite the presumed interment of the kings within their pyramids, no bodies have ever been discovered at these sites, hinting at ancient tomb raiding activities. What remains in these pyramids are fractured sarcophagi left behind by grave robbers who likely could not transport them beyond the pyramid’s corridors. The ultimate resting places of these Pharaohs are destined to remain shrouded in mystery. The royal mummies now on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo are those of later rulers, most of them from the New Kingdom, found near Luxor.

The enigmatic Giza pyramids in Egypt stand unparalleled globally, emerging mystically from the desert landscape, symbolizing the architectural prowess and meticulous planning of the ancient Egyptians and their ruling dynasties. Today, visitors enter the plateau through a new visitor centre off the Fayoum road and can explore the entire Giza complex, marvel at the three imposing pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, navigating through concealed chambers and admiring the historical relics and archaeological marvels linked with these ancient structures. These monuments encapsulate profound historical significance, embodying the wisdom and craftsmanship of a bygone civilization, offering timeless lessons to modern humanity.

Situated southwest of central Cairo, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx beckon travelers to embark on a captivating journey through Egypt’s rich heritage. On Odyssey’s Ancient History & Culture of Egypt tour, participants spend Day 4 with a qualified Egyptologist, starting at Saqqara and the Step Pyramid, visiting a carpet school and stopping for lunch, then walking around the Great Pyramids, the Valley Temple and the Sphinx. A quintessential experience at Giza is a brief camel ride against the backdrop of the Pyramids, a cherished image synonymous with Egyptian exploration. The tour also spends a full day (Day 2) at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which stands on the Giza Plateau and opened officially in November 2025, and visits the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization on Day 3; our Egypt itinerary for mature travellers sets out the whole route day by day. This tour presents the opportunity to delve into Egypt’s antiquities and iconic landmarks, catering to enthusiasts of geology, archaeology, or anyone fascinated by the enthralling history and origins of Egypt, promising an educational and enriching voyage.