Located on the west bank of the Nile near the city of Giza, the Great Pyramids are tombs built for three 4th Dynasty (c. 2575---c. 2465 B.C.) pharaohs. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the last standing wonder of the ancient world and has a remaining height of about 450 feet.
Organized tours handle most visitors' transportation, but cheap buses also run from Cairo directly to the pyramids.
Organized tours provide time for cursory exploration of the site. Anyone desiring a significant stay should inquire about stop length before registering for a tour, or travel separately.
Tickets to enter Giza plateau are purchased on site for 50 Egyptian pounds---$8 U.S., as of July 2009. Arrive early to snag a prized pass to enter the pyramids themselves, for which there is an additional fee.
The monuments light up after dark in the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, which covers the history of Pharaonic Egypt.
