A day in Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Morning - Desert before the pyramids

The low morning sun throws long shadows across the cool sand. I look toward the stone tombs on the edge of the Nile valley. They are the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, rising out of the desert dust.

Morning - Plateau near the Sphinx

A light breeze pulls at my scarf as the sky brightens over the plateau. I move across the ancient stone toward the Great Sphinx. It is carved from the limestone bedrock, a lion body and a human head with royal insignia.

Morning - Beside the Sphinx paws

Warm limestone and dry desert air meet me as I pause beside the huge paws. I look up at the colossal guardian above the open sand. Centuries of sand accumulation buried much of the statue before partial excavation cleared the body.

Morning - By the Great Pyramid

Stark shadow falls between the limestone blocks as I pick my way along the narrow path. I follow the wall of weathered limestone blocks as they rise in a steep line. The Great Pyramid, built for pharaoh Khufu, is the oldest and largest monument on the Giza plateau.

Midday - Dune above Giza

Heat haze shimmers on the horizon while the midday sun glares off the sand. I look down from this high dune across the whole complex. Khafre's pyramid keeps a cap of smooth casing stones and stands on higher ground, so it looks taller than its neighbour.

Golden Hour - Open desert at Giza

Long shadows stretch over the warm sand in this low golden light. I gaze across the desert at the massive stone tombs. The pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three, and its lower courses are pink granite from southern quarries.

Golden Hour - Sunset dunes at Giza

Sunset light warms the dunes while my cotton galabeya lifts in the breeze. I cross the open sand in this glow. The galabeya is a long loose cotton robe worn in the heat, and a light headscarf gives sun protection.

Golden Hour - By the pyramid base

Pink and purple light settles on the stone as dusk comes in. I sit on a low block and eat a bowl of koshary. This street dish layers rice, macaroni and lentils with crispy fried onions and a tangy spiced tomato vinegar sauce.

Night - Plateau under first stars

Deep blue fills the sky and the first stars show above the monuments. I get up from the stone and settle my light headscarf. I keep in mind that December to February bring the mildest days, while May to September bring the most intense dry heat.

Night - Leaving the lit plateau

Soft floodlights pick out the stone tombs against the dark desert sky. I head away across the sand as the night lights come on. Pits by the burials mark where dismantled cedar boats were buried to carry the pharaoh's soul alongside the sun god.