Our second day in Cairo began as the sun peeked over the rooftops, casting a golden light on the busy streets of the city. We woke up at the Dahab Hostel, a place that had become our cozy base in this whirlwind of a city. The air was buzzing with excitement, and for good reason: today was the day we would finally cross a massive item off our bucket list. We were going to see the legendary Pyramids and the majestic Nile. After meeting up with our friend and local guide, Shakir Azhari, we were ready to dive deep into the soul of Egypt. We crossed the bridge over the Nile, watching the river sparkle in the morning light, and headed toward Giza, where history isn't just taught; it is lived.
ISHABIL TRIP AT A GLANCE
- 📍 Destination: Cairo and Giza, Egypt
- 📅 Date of Journey: November 2, 2023
- 🚆 Transport Mode: Uber, Metro, and Private Boat
- 👥 Companions: Shakir Azhari (Local Host)
Standing Before the Giants of Giza
Even from a distance, the Pyramids loomed like massive mountains against the horizon. It is a view I had seen in photos hundreds of times, but seeing it with my own eyes was completely different. We started our exploration with a quick tea and snack break at the foot of the hill to gather our energy before heading to the ticket counter. The energy here is intense; there are people everywhere, from tourists to local vendors.
Walking toward the Great Pyramid was a surreal experience. These structures are nearly 4,000 years old, built with a precision that still baffles modern scientists. Up close, they don’t look like the smooth, flat triangles you see in glossy travel magazines; instead, they are rough, rugged, and made of massive limestone blocks. It is hard to imagine how they hauled 2.3 million of them to create these peaks, with each block being taller than a human! After wandering around the three main pyramids and taking in their sheer scale, we decided to hop on a horse carriage ride. This was the best decision of the day; it took us to a panoramic viewpoint where we could capture that perfect, iconic "three-pyramid" photo without the crowd blocking our view.
Ishabil Tips
There are two entrances to the Giza complex. Always try to choose the one away from the Sphinx to avoid the heaviest crowds and the most persistent touts. Also, remember that many ticket counters in Egypt are now going digital and might not accept cash, so always have a credit or debit card ready for your entry fees.
The Mystery of the Sphinx
As we descended the hill from the Pyramids, we came face-to-face with the Great Sphinx. This mythical creature, with the body of a lion and the head of a human, is one of the world’s largest and oldest monolithic statues. Carved from a single massive piece of limestone about 4,500 years ago, it stretches 73 meters long. Despite its missing nose and its weathered face, its presence is absolutely commanding. It feels like the Sphinx is a silent guardian, watching over the desert, keeping the secrets of the Pharaohs hidden behind its stone eyes. I spent a long time just staring at it, trying to imagine what the world looked like when it was first carved.
Ishabil Fact
The Sphinx is truly a monolith, meaning it was carved from a single, giant block of bedrock rather than built from individual stones like the pyramids. This makes its construction an even greater feat of ancient engineering.
A Journey Through Coptic Cairo
From the dusty desert of Giza, we took an Uber to Coptic Cairo, the heart of Egypt’s ancient Christian community. The transition was incredible. The history here is palpable; you can feel the layers of time in the walls. We visited the famous Hanging Church. Built in the 7th century, it gets its name because it is literally suspended over the gatehouse of an old Roman fortress. The architecture is beautiful, with wooden roofs that look like Noah’s Ark.
We also wandered into the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church. This place is deeply moving, as it is believed to be the spot where the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus—rested during their flight to Egypt. Walking through these spaces felt sacred. It wasn't just about looking at old wood and stone; it was about connecting with a history that has survived through wars, empires, and time itself.
Riding the Cairo Metro
To get to our next stop, we decided to live like the locals and hopped on the Cairo Metro. Unlike the high-tech, shiny, and super-fast metros in cities like Dubai or Singapore, the Cairo Metro (opened in 1987) is rugged, loud, and incredibly functional. It serves millions of locals every single day, and being in the crowd was an experience all on its own. We traveled from the Mar Girgis station to Sadat Station, which is located right under the famous Tahrir Square. It was crowded, hot, and fascinating—a perfect slice of real Cairene life.
Once we emerged, we were thirsty. We found a street vendor and grabbed a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice—cold, sweet, and exactly what we needed. We had a hearty meal at a local restaurant before visiting the historic Al-Azhar Mosque. This mosque is a pillar of Islamic learning. Afterward, we couldn't resist doing a bit of shopping. We picked up some souvenirs, including fridge magnets and tiny alabaster pyramids, to remember our day.
Ishabil Fun
In the metro, I was trying to figure out which stop was which. A local man saw my confused face, took my map, and pointed to the stop with a big grin. We didn't speak the same language, but we both laughed as he signaled "only two stops left!" It’s moments like these that make public transport an adventure rather than just a ride.
Sailing the Nile and Scaling the Tower
No trip to Cairo is complete without the Nile. It is the lifeblood of Egypt, the reason this civilization exists at all. We hired a private boat for the three of us and spent time drifting along the river. As the sun began to dip, the sky turned shades of orange, pink, and purple, and we watched the city skyline and the sunset reflect off the calm water. It was the most peaceful hour of the entire trip.
Our final major stop for the evening was the Cairo Tower on Gezira Island. Built in 1961 in the shape of a lotus plant, it was once the tallest building in North Africa. We took the elevator to the observation deck, 614 feet above the ground. From the top, Cairo looked absolutely magical. The greenery of Gezira Island stood out against the concrete, the bridges glowed with lights, and the city lights stretched endlessly into the distance. It was the perfect vantage point to understand the size of this city.
A Final Midnight Stroll
After saying goodbye to Shakir, I wasn't quite ready to end the day. The energy of Cairo is addictive, and I wanted just a little more. I took a taxi back toward the market area. The driver was incredibly polite and kind, so I made sure to book him for our airport drop-off the next day. It’s always good to have a reliable driver you trust in a big city.
Instead of taking a cab all the way back to the hostel, I decided to walk the last 3.5 kilometers. Walking through the late-night streets of Cairo is a unique experience. The shops were still buzzing, people were drinking tea on the sidewalks, and the city hummed with a different kind of life. I grabbed a quick, delicious shawarma—the perfect midnight snack—and just soaked in the local atmosphere. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable day. As I finally reached my room, the ancient city of Cairo continued to buzz outside my window, a beautiful, swirling mix of the very old and the very new. I fell asleep instantly, already dreaming of the adventures that were still to come.
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