Giza, a complex of ancient
structures that can individually or collectively send an archaeologist or a history buff
into giddy whoops of delight, is an 18-km-wide strip of land on the west bank of the Nile,
on the outskirts of Cairo.
El-Giza, as it is known locally in Arabic, contains some
of the most-visited and best-loved monuments in Egypt, including the Great Pyramids and
the Sphinx – that great noseless-but-still-majestic half-lion,
half-man.
These structures are almost five millennia old. The Sphinx is known in Arabic as Abu
al-Hol or the ‘father of terror’ and measures an incredible 50 metres in length
and 22 metres in height.
The Great Pyramids are rightly counted
among the Seven Wonders of the World – they are a truly awesome sight, guaranteed to
leave you in need of extra oxygen supply.
There are three great pyramids – those of Cheops (perhaps the most
well-known), Chephren and Mycerinus (the least impressive of the three).
The surrounding flat-by-day and haunting-by-night desert
contains some more treasures, including the Solar Boat Museum and some
smaller pyramids and structures scattered around.
To get to Giza, take a taxi/microbus from Midan Tahrir in Cairo. Minibuses and
microbuses also leave from the front of the Nile Hilton hotel. Scores of travel agents in
the same area also arrange individual/group guided tours. Accommodation is not available
locally (apart from campsites), so it should be arranged in Cairo.
