It’s the (unplanned) year of the pyramids! Less than a year ago, I was exploring Xunantunich in Belize and then we visited Teotihuacan in Mexico a few months ago. Of course, we couldn’t visit Egypt without a visit to one of the seven wonders of the world – the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

The Great Pyramid of Egypt – WOW!

Before the Eiffel Tower was built, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,000 years at 481 feet. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built over twenty years, is also known as the Pyramid of Khufu. It’s now 450 feet tall.

Pyramids were built for religious reasons as a pathway to the afterlife. The pyramids’ chambers were built according to the cardinal directions of east and west. As the sun rises and life begins in the east and the sun sets and life ends in the west, so the pharaoh will be able to walk east to west inside the pyramid into the afterlife. Pyramids also served as a monument for the king to represent his legacy.

The efforts to build the Great Pyramid are baffling. How did they build this humongous structure without modern technology? What did their blueprints look like? Researchers have estimated over two million blocks, and the average size of the blocks is two tons! The theory of how it was built includes ramps, water, and many skilled workers.

The pyramid was a beacon and probably unusual to see in a desert, so it attracted attention. This means the tombs were looted and even mummies disappeared. The tombs were stocked with riches, tools, and anything the pharaoh would need when he entered the afterlife.

Should I Go Inside the Great Pyramid?

While climbing the pyramid (past the first landing) is now prohibited, you can still enter the tomb. It’s a fairly quick trip but don’t do it if you get claustrophobic or don’t like being hot. It can also be hard for tall people. The pathway in and out are the same and it’s a narrow journey under short spaces, on steep walkways, and with no ventilation.

It’s cool to say you’ve been inside the pyramid but it’s not life-changing. The final destination inside is a dark, empty room. If you want to see more impressive tombs, go to the Saqqara pyramids about 20 minutes away or the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

But There is More Than One Pyramid Here

The Giza Pyramid complex includes five additional pyramids and the Sphinx. (Fun fact: there are 118 discovered pyramids in Egypt.)

Khufu’s son Khafre built the second pyramid and the Great Sphinx of Giza. His is the only pyramid with the facade still existing at the top. While his pyramid is shorter than his father’s pyramid, at certain viewpoints, the optical illusion makes it look taller. Sneaky son! (It’s the middle pyramid in all of these photos.)

The third and smallest pyramid was built 30 years after the second by Pharaoh Menkaure. Nearby, there are also three small pyramids built for Khufu’s wives.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a giant statue with a human head and a lion’s body. This one is thought to be guarding the pyramid.

At the Sphinx, you’ll get a sense of how close the city of Giza has built up around the complex. A short walk and across the street from the Sphinx is the neighborhood and the Pizza Hut with the most epic view.

How Do I Get to the Pyramids?

The pyramids are located in Giza, a city about 15 minutes (without traffic) and 10 miles outside of Cairo. We arrived around 8 a.m. and it was already getting busy, though most of the tours arrive by 9 or 10 a.m.

There are many tour buses and private tours that will take you here. We did a 5-6 hour private tour to Giza and Saqqara with Love Egypt Holidays and our guide Shereif was FULL of information. I also browsed through Viator when searching for a tour. We chose to do a tour because it made transportation easy and guides can enhance the experience, especially in Egypt where history runs deep. They also show you the best poses, such as the below photo.

Our tour stopped at three different spots around the complex for different views. If you’re not a part of a tour, you’ll need to walk from the entrance or find a camel!

There are many hotels in Giza, including the luxurious and award-winning Mena House, but we elected to stay in Cairo since there is more to do there. If you don’t mind hotel-hopping, you could easily get a hotel in walking distance from the Giza Pyramid Complex for one-night and head back to Cairo for the rest of your trip. I estimate a rideshare from downtown Cairo to the pyramids is no more than $5 USD.

Quick Tips for Giza Pyramid Complex

• Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring water. There is little shade at this site. A hand or battery-powered fan might be handy too.
• I recommend wearing closed toe shoes, especially if you’re going inside the pyramid.
• Costs: 50 LE (about $2.79 USD) to get into the complex; additional 100 LE (about $5.58 USD) to go inside the Great Pyramid; additional 20 LE (about $1.12 USD) to go inside Khafre’s pyramid
• Solar Boat Museum: Behind the Great Pyramid is this museum that houses the huge boat found near the pyramid. It was to be used by the pharaoh to get to the afterlife. Admission is 50 LE (about $2.79 USD).
• Camel rides: if you want to ride a camel in Egypt, this is probably the most scenic location. If you do a camel ride, choose a camel that looks healthy and well cared for. The cost will be around 50 LE (about $2.79 USD).
• Hassles and Scams: Know what you’re getting into. If you take a photo of a camel, if someone offers to take a photo for you, or if someone offers to guide you, it is likely not for free. Give a small tip for photos, and for a guide or camel ride, agree on a price and be clear on the terms before you start.

Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara

If you want to see the first pyramid, go to Saqqara, which is about 20 minutes away. The Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Pyramid is here along with many other ruins. Since most people only go to the Giza Pyramid Complex, this archeological site is pretty quiet. The admission fee is 60 LE (about $3.35 USD).

Don’t forget a selfie with a camel!

Conclusion

The Great Pyramid and Egyptian pyramids, in general, were on my life list but not high on my priority list. It was incredible to experience!

It only gets better from here. While the pyramids were high on my list of memories from this trip, can you believe this was my least favorite?! I’m hustling to share everything in the next two months, so more posts on Egypt coming soon!

What sight or landmark is number one on your life list?

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The post Marveling The Great Pyramid of Egypt and Pyramid of Djoser appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I knew very little about Teotihuacan before I got to Mexico City, but I knew it was definitely a sight to see during my trip. First, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, which means it is recognized and protected for having cultural, scientific, or historical significance.

Teotihuacan is the largest pre-Hispanic, Mesoamerican site. While there you’ll likely walk on the Avenue of the Dead, climb Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, and walk through Temple of Quetzalcoatl. You’ll also see varieties of cactus flora. Read on for more information about getting there, what you’ll see, and where to eat!

Getting to Teotihuacan and Tickets

The bus ride is about an hour one way. It is about 30 miles away but there are at least two bus stops along the way. You could also join a tour company, hire a private driver, or try a taxi.

I used these directions for the bus and it worked out perfectly. Directions abbreviated below:

• We took an Uber to the Autobuses del Norte bus station.
• Find Gate 8 all the way to the left of the building.
• Buy tickets under the Autobuses del Teotihuacan sign. Tickets are $54 one way and it’s easiest to buy a round-trip ticket. You’ll get a ticket with a time for the next bus and your return trip can be anytime during that day.
• The cashier will point you to where to get on the bus, around the corner through gate 8.

Teotihuacan opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. I recommend getting on a bus in the 8 a.m. hour to avoid the crowds and as much heat/sun as possible. We arrived around 9:15 a.m., explored the site for a few hours, ate lunch, explored another part of the site, got on the bus, took a nap, and arrived back in Mexico City around 3:30 p.m. We toured around fairly quickly and spent five hours there, including time for lunch.

Tickets to get into Teotihuacan are $70 pesos per person and you can pay at the gate. There will also be people offering guide services at the entrance.

You could also see Teotihuacan by hot air balloon! The morning we went, we saw several in the sky.

History of Teotihuacan and Walking So Many Steps

This place is huge. If you enter from the main entrance, you’ll immediately feel this. The Avenue of the Dead, the main, wide path to the Pyramid of the Moon feels strangely expansive. I guess that is expected when the Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the world.

The tallest pyramid is Pyramid of the Sun, which has 200 plus steps. You’ll definitely get a work out from all of these steps. When you’re facing Pyramid of the Sun, the second tallest pyramid, Pyramid of the Moon, is to your left. Both give you incredible views of the site and surrounding area. Check out the view on top Pyramid of the Sun:

The history of Teotihuacan is also very interesting. It existed more than a thousand years before the Aztecs arrived in central Mexico. The Aztecs are who gave it the current name Teotihuacan. It’s architecture, specifically, the design and the function of certain buildings show the influences and existence of multiple civilizations at Teotihuacan. Having visited Maya ruins recently, it’s intriguing to know Teotihuacan has a similar architectural style or maybe it was the Mayas that adopted the style.

Now, don’t get Teotihuacan confused with Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was another Mesoamerican civilization and capital of the Mexico people. You can see these ruins in Mexico City’s Zócalo at Templo Mayor.

Currently, researchers and scholars have a few theories about why the civilization collapsed and was abandoned. It could have been invaders, an internal uprising of the poor against the rich, or the effects of a volcano. They’re still excavating the site, so maybe one day they’ll find evidence of its beginnings and endings.

Learn More About Teotihuacan

There are a handful of signs throughout the site and there’s a small museum on site that will tell you more about the site. Many of the artifacts can be found at the National Museum of Anthropology, where you’ll find a whole section dedicated to Teotihuacan. The small museum at Teotihuacan has a replica of the site. Outside the window is Pyramid of the Sun!

Eating Near Teotihuacan

La Gruta
You’ll likely want to eat at the cave restaurant everyone talks about, La Gruta. It’s outside Puerta 5, which is behind Pyramid of the Sun on the right-hand side. You’ll find it by following signs for the museum. Go through the parking lot and the main gate and veer to the left. You’ll see a big sign on a road to the restaurant.

This restaurant is architecturally impressive, as the photos show you. The food was definitely the most disappointing of everything we ate in Mexico City, BUT we did try a local dish – torta with guacamole and topped with fried grasshoppers.

Know that if you eat here, you’ll be making a big trek back to Puerta 2 or 3 to get on the bus.

Other Options
There are also a few restaurants near Puerta 2 that looked promising.

Quick Tips for Your Trip to Teotihuacan

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing! Some steps are steeper than others. Go at your own pace.
• Don’t forget sunscreen. Bring it with you. As you can see from these photos, there is little to no shade at the site.
• Wear sunglasses. Wear a hat or there are vendors selling hats for a couple of bucks around the site.
• Bring bottled water.

How to Get Back to Mexico City

Exit Puerta 2 or 3 and a bus will come by every 20 minutes. You’ll likely take a nap on the bus, which is perfect to get ready for the rest of your day in Mexico City!

Conclusion

Phew, our trip to Teotihuacan involved long transportation, sunny skies, and lots of wonder. It’s crazy to think about the mechanics that whoever built Teotihuacan employed to make it happen. How long did it take to clear out the land and built each temple and wall piece by piece? The site has withstood so much and if you can’t tell from the photos and my words so far, THE SITE IS MASSIVE.

Teotihuacan really is a sight to see! From a person that enjoys history and culture, I think it’s worth it for a half-day trip. Plus, you’ll be getting your exercise done so you can eat more tacos in Mexico City later. Win win!

Teotihuacan
Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/414

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Eating local food, exploring the underwater world, and relaxing at a resort are great Belize activities, but I like to include some history and culture into my trips. I hadn’t visited any ancient ruins in the Americas, so this day trip was another must-do. We took a tour through our resort and visited Xunantunich and Cahal Pechin in western Belize near the Belize and Guatemala border, about three hours away from the coastal town of Hopkins.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nan-too-neech) is Yucatec Maya for “Stone Woman.” The name comes from several sightings of a mysterious, ghost-like woman on the stone steps. These Maya ruins are known for its views when you climb to the top of the highest of the structures.

Records of this Maya site date back to 250 AD. A British medical officer named Dr. Thomas Gann first explored Xunantunich in the 1890s. He later returned for excavations and unearthed many Maya treasures and artifacts. Since then, there have been several excavations, the latest in 2016 when one of the largest Maya burial chambers was found. Below you’ll see a re-built replica of what the facade would have looked like.

With six plazas and more than 25 structures, the site is expansive, but “El Castillo” (the Castle) is the focal point as it’s the largest pyramid. Climb 130 feet to the top and you’ll be able to get a 360-degree view for miles, including across the border at Guatemala. Don’t look over the edge for too long or you might get woozy!

Mayas are usually under five feet, and they walked on feet and hands up their temples and structures! We also saw their ball courts and learned about their ancient ball game that was an important part of society.

I should also mention that the road to and from Xunantunich includes a hand-crank ferry. We got out of the van, the van drove onto the ferry, we walked onto the ferry, and off we were cranked across the river.

Cahal Pech

After walking around Xunantunich and enjoying a box lunch, we made our way to Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, 30 minutes away. Knowing it was a smaller site than Xunantunich, I honestly was not expecting Cahal Pech to be grand. What it lacks in height, it made up in curiosity.

Cahal Pech is translated to “Place of Ticks,” called so because it was once pasture land. Like many ruins, it is still under excavation. What they have found at Cahal Pech, starting in 1988, is that previous temples and structures were buried so that new ones could be built on top.

The bedrooms and hallways were excavated at Cahal Pech so it felt like we were walking through tunnels and peeking into the lives of those who once lived there. We saw more steep staircases and underground escape routes. It made me want to watch a documentary to see how people lived in and moved around these structures.

Conclusion

Xunantunich has incredible views on tall structures while Cahal Pech has intriguing passageways. Both beg you to wonder what life was like when these ruins were full-functioning communities. The strangest thing and biggest mystery are why these sites were abandoned. Environmental disaster? Warring communities? Lack of resources or famine? We might never know but we can appreciate its current grandeur and the history.

Since they’re close to each other, you can easily visit both Xunantunich and Cahal Pech in one day. I recommend a tour to get the full history but it can be done without a guide if you want to wander by yourself. If you don’t want to do a day trip and want to stay nearby, I recommend staying in San Ignacio.

Xunantunich
Website | Located in San Jose Succotz | Open daily 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $10 BZD ($5 USD) entrance fee

Cahal Pech
Website | Located in San Ignacio | Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | $10 BZD ($5 USD) entrance fee

Looking for other Maya ruins to visit? Caracol and Altun Ha are popular choices. Some tours also include a quick hop over to Guatemala to see the Maya ruins of Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

P.S. Click here for all the Belize posts!

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