Planning for Egypt's Giza Plateau

The Great Pyramids, Boat Museum, Sphinx, and Other Attractions

Aug 20, 2008

The Great Pyramids of Giza are Egypt's treasure, and an impressive sight. There are many other attractions on this Plateau just outside of Cairo, like the Boat Museum.

Standing in front of Khufu's pyramid, the last remaining wonder of the ancient world, is awe-inspiring. Taking in its size and timeless nature is enough to make the trip to Egypt worthwhile. After soaking in the grandeur of the pyramids, there are many other things to see on the Giza Plateau.

Inside Khufu's Pyramid

For a small fee, visitors can actually enter Khufu's great pyramid. Some view this as a necessity – their trip would not be complete without a trip inside the pyramid. Be warned, however, that this is not a journey for the claustrophobic or for small children. The air is musty and the passages are narrow.

Thos who wish to enter a pyramid should choose the most famous pyramid on earth. Lucky visitors may get to share their trip with a group of people who believe the pyramid is religiously significant; sometimes chanting or singing occurs in such groups, and that in itself is worth the price of admission.

The Boat Museum

Right behind Khufu's Pyramid is the Boat Museum. In ancient Egypt, the bodies of pharaohs were floated down the Nile in ceremonial boats to their final resting places. These boats were dismantled and stored in tombs of their own. Amazingly, one wooden boat survived the millennia, almost entirely intact. It was discovered a few decades ago, and was painstakingly put back together again.

The Boat Museum contains the story of the discovery of this boat, and the process of reconstruction. It also contains the boat itself, which is beautiful in its own rights. Witnessing a piece of history like this is well worth the ten extra Egyptian pounds, and the time it takes to put protective coverings over shoes.

The Great Sphinx

Of course, everyone must see that nose-free lady of mystery, the Sphinx. She is not the only sphinx in Egypt, but she's the Mona Lisa of the world of sculpture.

In front of the Sphinx is a temple complex, where the actual mummification took place. A good guide can teach a lot about the process of mummification. Even those who aren't interested in this process should enter the temple complex. After waiting in the wandering lines over alabaster floors, visitors find themselves within arm's length of the Sphinx. Seeing her up close and personal is amazing. This is the best place to take in her true size, the remnants of restoration through the ages, and the subtle beauty of her remaining features. This is also the best place for pictures of the Sphinx.

And More...

These are the three main attractions on the Giza Plateau, other than simply seeing the pyramids themselves. There are other things to see and do, however. Visitors can shop for souvenirs, or have their picture taken from the back of a camel. Up the road a short distance, there's an amazing panoramic view of all three great pyramids in a row, with some of the smaller Queen's pyramids in front of them – this is the picture usually portrayed on post cards.

Wandering among the tombs and mastabas built for the high officials and architects of ancient Egypt is also a treat, as they are speckled with hieroglyphics and other stunning indications of the lives and deaths of people who lived thousands of years ago. Also, there is often archaeological work going on somewhere on the plateau; peeking over the shoulder of the world's Egyptologists is a treat.

In short, visitors should plan a full day for the trip to Giza. All should bring water, hats, good walking shoes, small Egyptian bills for bargaining, and of course, a camera.

The Giza Plateau is open to tourists daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Entrance to the Plateau is 20 Egyptian pounds; entrance to Khufu's pyramid is 20 extra, and the Boat Museum is 10. There are charges to take certain types of cameras into the boat museum, but cameras can be checked at the front door. Be aware that in Egypt, all of these details can change at a moment's notice.

References

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