See all Posts in the Wanderlust – A Travel Blog Series
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (as compiled by ancient Greek observers) include:
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Colossus of Rhodes
- Lighthouse of Alexandria
Only one of these still exists today — the Great Pyramid of Giza. If it is not on your travel bucket list, it should be. No other place on Earth inspires the unique combination of awe and mystery as these monumental tombs.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest in a pyramid complex containing three large Kings’ pyramids, surrounded by smaller Queens’ pyramids, and, of course, the iconic Sphinx.
Many theories have been promulgated about how these structures were built by ancient Egyptian craftsmen. We know that millions of slabs of limestone and granite weighing between 2.5 and 80 tons each were carved out of rock some distance away, and dragged on sleds or floated on a now dry river estuary and hauled up the structures by hand.
Even more stunning than the engineering prowess of this ancient civilization is the maze of tunnels and secret chambers built into or underneath each pyramid. New secrets and treasures continue to be found, even to this day. Wild speculation abounds about the riches or mysterious finds that might lie just below the surface.
Most pictures of the Giza pyramid complex present the giant structures as if they were standing alone in the desert. While the pyramids are quite large, they are less than 10 miles from the Cairo city center. When the pyramids were built, this was quite a hike out into the desert. Today, the complex is virtually a suburb of Cairo; it is easily accessible by city bus or taxi from downtown.
One of the iconic views of the complex is from the shared rooftop terrace of the local Pizza Hut/KFC, located directly in front of the Sphinx. Sadly, these American icons are equally visible from the pyramids.
Egypt has earned a reputation as being a difficult place to travel. It is well earned. Generations of poverty have led to a survival strategy of aggressive, high-pressure tactics and scams at major tourist sites. Even with heavy police presence at tourist and religious sites, many people, especially women, feel threatened by persistent and demanding guides, vendors and taxi drivers.
Fortunately, there are simple strategies for minimizing harassment while touring the pyramid complex.
First, and most important, hire a reputable private guide service. We arranged our tour as part of a Mediterranean cruise with Costa Concordia. They provided knowledgeable guides who could run interference and keep the vendors mostly at bay.
Also, be sure to maintain firm boundaries (no eye contact, polite but firm “no thank you”). They eventually will take “No” for an answer, but only if you have the courage of your convictions that this is non-negotiable. If you take a taxi, work out the fare in advance. Finally, dress modestly.
With patience and an understanding of Egyptian cultural aesthetics, visiting the last remaining Ancient Wonder of the World can be immensely satisfying.
The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza are stunningly beautiful. And the twin mysteries of how they were built and what secrets they still contain can be the source of endless speculation and debate.
