Cairo, Egypt 3/7-8/2026 Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum

 Cairo, Egypt 3/7-8/2026

Set on the banks of the Nile, Cairo is a sprawling metropolis of over 9 million people, making it the largest in Africa and the Arab world. The capital city, this ‘city of a thousand minarets,' has existed for more than 1,000 years on its present site and, in addition to its vibrant economy, presents a fascinating dichotomy of the East and the West, the modern and the ancient.

The high-rise hotels overlooking the Nile contrast with the Pyramids of Giza and the Obelisk of Heliopolis that stand to the south and north respectively. As well as the Giza Pyramids complex, the city also contains the Sphinx, the world's oldest and biggest statue, and the house of mummification at the Valley temple.

Around the modern Centre, the old, medieval quarters of the city are filled with spice-filled markets, bazaars, mosques, and tradespeople. Not only does Cairo hold the biggest mass media center and film and music production hub of the Middle East, but it's also home to the Arab league and the second oldest institution of higher learning, the Al-Azhar University.

We did finally get out of Dubai, but not without some drama.  Our flight was 2 hours delayed but we boarded and gave a sigh of relief.  Too soon - as we were heading toward the runway to take off, air space closed, and we headed back to the terminal.  Thinking now what we are going to do, within 5 minutes, air space cleared, and our pilot gunned it back to the runway and off we went.  So thankful we made it to Cairo and back on schedule for our journey.

We were met at our plane by our travel host, whisked through immigration and visas, collected luggage and headed to the Marriott Meno at the base of the pyramids, which we could see from our room.

The next morning, we were met at the hotel by Farid (our host in Cairo) and introduced to Mahmoud, our Egyptologist guide for the day.  It is hard to describe the pyramids - almost surreal, wondering how exactly the ancient Egyptians were able to build these structures.

Pyramids of Giza 3/8/2026

The Pyramids of Giza tombs were built for some of the mightiest Pharaohs: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Giza remained the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years. The bases of the three Pyramids of Giza together cover more than a million square feet, roughly nine Midtown Manhattan blocks. 

The Sphinx, which was cut from the bedrock, has been restored to its original shape with layers of blocks. It is one of the oldest known monumental sculptures in Egypt and is believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of the Pharaoh Khafre.

We did a lot of walking, a horse cart ride, and had planned on walking to the "easiest" tomb of the three pyramids.  One look at the steepness of the stairs (you will see in the pictures), I said no thank you.  Mic made it about 15-20 steps and came back up.  You are bent over, steps are small, and very steep.  A true marvel to see though.

Here is the pyramid for King Menkaure we considered walking down.

Grand Egyptian Museum 3/8/2026

The Grand Egyptian Museum, located in Giza, Egypt is set to be one of the largest archeological museums in the world.  It aims to showcase the rich history of ancient Egypt, housing a vast collection of artifacts, including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun.  It offers multiple exhibitions that highlight the artistry and culture of ancient Egyptian civilization.

After the pyramids, we headed to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened in November 2025, and took 10 years to build.  It boasts the largest collection of Kin Tut artifacts in the world.  An afternoon does not give you enough time, but Mahmoud took us to view the highlights.  Almost a 15K step day!

\

As you enter, you are greeted by Ramses II is 3200 hundred years old, 36 feet tall weighing about 83 tons, made of red granite and was discovered in Memphis in 1820.

The Khufu boat was used as a state boat during the king's lifetime.  It was discovered in 1954, amazingly preserved with all the wood ropes and matting, and is made of cedar wood from Lebanon. Truly remarkable that is survived.

And on to the main attraction, King Tutankhamun who was the 13th Pharoah of the 18th Dynasty.  He ruled for 9 years and died at 18 or 19 years old.  Most known for the 1922 discovery of his tomb along with an amazing display of artifacts.  For some reason, his tomb escaped the grave robbers that plundered many of the surrounding tombs in the Valley of the Kings and so we are able to see this marvelous collection.

The king's mummy is on display at the Valley of the Kings, with the contents of the tomb here at the museum.  He was buried is an elaborate sarcophagi system.  Four nested wooden boxes with the fifth granite (which is at the Valley of the Kings tomb - you will see those pictures later) that then enclosed the three sculpted coffins, the innermost holding his mummy, and is made of solid gold.  Quite elaborate to say the least.  The top collages are from the internet showing the system, then you will see my pics.

And the jewelry. Mic didn't buy me any!

And the famous death mask... the alabaster box was for the organs (brains, liver, stomach and lungs) removed from the body for mummification.  The heart was left as the ancient Egyptians believed the heart needed to travel with the body.  In hieroglyphics, you will see a scale weighing the heart against the weight of a feather.  If the heart was lighter, you were good and on to a great afterlife.  If the heart was heavier, you were a bad guy and facing a difficult afterlife.  

Tomorrow we are off to Luxor to start our river cruise for a week.