There are very few places on earth that live up to the hype, and the Giza Plateau is one of them. Nothing quite prepares you for the scale of the Great Pyramid of Khufu as it rises out of the desert on the edge of Cairo, with the Great Sphinx crouched nearby, gazing east toward the sunrise it has watched for over 4,500 years.

Most visitors are surprised by how close Giza actually is to the city — it’s not a remote desert expedition, but a short drive from downtown Cairo. Our guides recommend arriving early, before the midday heat and the crowds build up, to get the classic photo of all three pyramids together from the panoramic viewpoint. From there, a short camel or horse ride across the sand brings you face to face with the Sphinx from an angle most tourists never see.

If you want more than a quick photo stop, our Half Day and Full Day Giza tours pair the pyramids with Sakkara’s Step Pyramid — the oldest stone monument on the planet — and for the more adventurous, an ATV ride through the dunes just outside the plateau. Whichever pace you choose, a licensed Egyptologist travels with you the whole way, so the history behind every stone actually makes sense.

One tip from our team: bring cash for the authentic papyrus and stone-carving workshops around the plateau. The prices are fair, and it’s one of the few souvenirs from Egypt that’s actually made in Egypt.