Dr KR V.
Google
STANDING BEFORE ETERNITY - A CALM MORNING AT GREAT PYRAMID OF KHUFU
Our visit to the Great Pyramid of Khufu took place on a working day in January 2026, as part of a large group touring Egypt. We arrived at the Giza Plateau by around 11 a.m., and thankfully there was no significant rush, allowing us to experience this iconic monument in relative calm. At the very entrance of the Giza Pyramid, there is a bus (kind of hop on hop off) which takes you to at least six stops. One of the most important stops is the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
The Great Pyramid dating back to around 2500 B.C is the largest and oldest of the three pyramids, is overwhelming even when appreciated purely from the outside. We chose not to enter the interior chambers, as the tickets were expensive (over USD 36) and access requires considerable physical effort. In any case, this was the only pyramid currently open for internal visits, and we felt that observing its scale, geometry, and setting from the exterior was more than rewarding.
We walked around roughly half the pyramid, marvelling at the sheer size of the limestone blocks (We understand that there are over 2.3 million limestone blocks) and the precision of the structure. Later, we settled down at a nearby café, simply sitting and admiring the pyramid against the desert backdrop. It was a clear day with minimal cloud cover. Though the temperature hovered around a pleasant 20°C, the sun was surprisingly harsh, and strong winds carried fine desert dust, adding to the raw, elemental feel of the place. We could see a number of camels and horse drawn carts carrying the visitors around the pyramid.
Even without stepping inside, the Great Pyramid leaves a profound impression—timeless, austere, and humbling, a monument best absorbed slowly and in silence. A must visit for any visitor to the Middle East/ North Africa.