The history of Egypt is so long with so many dynasties and so many rulers that it can be difficult to follow. Few people realize that most of the great monuments and legends that we associate with ancient Egypt arose during the Old Kingdom that began more than 5000 years ago in 3100 BC. and ended in 2184 BC. Ruins and tombs are never far away in modern Egypt and they still reach across the centuries to astound visitors and draw attention from around the world.

We were fortunate to visit Egypt several years ago. Although we were not able to see the tombs of the Valley of the Kings or the temples of Luxor during that trip, there is plenty to see around Cairo for several days. The most interesting way to explore the area is to hire a licensed guide and driver to take you around the important sites and behind the scenes.

Some Great Things to do in Cairo

Start with the Memphis and Saqqara: The pyramids at Giza are great but to truly appreciate them it is helpful to start with a drive through the marshlands and dusty roads to the site of the ancient city of Memphis on the Nile River. Memphis served as the capital of Egypt and was one of the world’s greatest cities and a trading center for thousands of years. There is little left of that grandeur today except for an enormous limestone statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II known as the Colossus of Ramesses which was discovered in 1823 and is now on display in the archaeological zone.

Heading west onto the desert plateau, you enter a 19-mile-long necropolis consisting of some of Egypt’s older pyramids, tombs of some of the first pharaohs, and temples to various Gods. What is interesting about these early pyramids is that many of them failed. Some collapsed into a pile of rubble, fell in, or became bent. One of the oldest and most popular is the Step Pyramid of Djoser which retains an impressive form to this day.

The Saqqara area is vast and still undergoing excavation and new discoveries that astound the experts. We were able to enter one tomb known as the mastaba of Mereruka with our guide and view 33 rooms of carvings and statues depicting the life of the respected royal vizier and his family. A guard also took my son Christopher and I down the shaft of a collapsed pyramid by torchlight to view the empty decorated treasure room and the broken sarcophagus of its long deceased ruler. Having seen a few of The Mummy movies, we took it all in and left without seeking any “souvenirs”.

Walk around the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx: The three pyramids of Giza and the famous Sphinx were built by the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure around 2550 BC. One of the original wonders of the world, these monuments have enchanted and survived visiting kings, conquerors like Napoleon, and tourists. Located to the west of Cairo on the desert plateau, some archaeologists believe that the Nile River may have once flowed nearby allowing ships to deliver the huge stone blocks and workers to a busy port at Giza.

It is difficult to appreciate the size and grandeur of the pyramids without visiting them. Looking at them from a distance in the hot sun I thought I saw three horses galloping past and then realized it was four tourist buses. Up close, you quickly learn that the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu measures 3020 feet or .6 of a mile around. The empty chambers and shafts that have been explored for centuries only add to the sense of mystery.

Down the hill from the pyramids is the strange Sphinx with its human head, paws and lion like body. Covered up to its head with sand at the time of Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt, the 66-foot-high Sphinx has generated considerable debate. Which Pharaoh’s face is depicted on the Sphinx? What was the significance of the animal likeness to the Egyptian population? Was the Sphinx dedicated to the sun god Ra because it faced the rising sun to the east? Was the Sphinx designed to guard the pharaohs in their pyramid tombs in the afterlife? Unlike many other monuments of ancient Egypt, there are no hieroglyphics on or near the Sphinx to confirm its purpose.

Don’t Miss the Pharaoh’s Boat: Often passed by in the shadow of the pyramid is a museum that contains one of the most intriguing archaeological finds of recent decades. In the 1950s, workers digging around the pyramids discovered two pits, containing large stone blocks. Under the blocks were two disassembled vessels in excellent condition. It was later determined that the 4500-year-old, flat hull, cedar wood ship was built for use by Pharaoh Khufu in the afterlife. After painstaking reconstruction, the 143-foot-long vessel is now on display in the air-conditioned Giza Solar Boat Museum next to the pyramids. While not ornate compared to a pharaoh’s treasures, it is likely the oldest known ship in the world.

Enjoy the Egyptian Museum: Located in the center of Cairo, the Egyptian Museum is a once in the lifetime experience for people interested in history or unusual things. There are several floors of exhibits to browse through including the sarcophagus of various pharaohs and nobles, weapons, various medical instruments and household objects. One outstanding exhibit there is the climate controlled and well-guarded treasure room of King Tutankhamun which includes his golden mask, thrones, chairs, beds and personal items. Another interesting exhibit which requires special admission is the mummy room where you can look at the mummified remains and organ vases of some of the world’s greatest rulers from antiquity. Although fear of having their remains disturbed and their tombs looted was a major concern of ancient tomb builders, it is doubtful that anyone thought they would end up on display in their own country. Nevertheless, the grandeur which once surrounded these rulers may soon be restored when the huge New Egyptian Museum opens near to the Pyramids. This new facility will allow many more statues, objects and treasures to be displayed to visitors.

Dine by the Nile: After a long day of exploring, one way to contemplate the wonders of ancient Egypt is to dine by the Nile. Some people enjoy a sunset dinner cruise down the majestic river on a riverboat, while we preferred to dine at one of the many waterfront restaurants and watch felucca sailboats ply the waters there as they have for untold centuries.