Our first stop this morning was Sakkara – the “cemetery” for Memphis and home to the first pyramids. The largest pyramids here are Step, Bent and Red (red limestone).

We visited the tomb of King Unas. The burial chamber is lined with limestone except the walls around the sarcophagus which are lined with alabaster. The west gable is inscribed with protective spells.

The mastaba (rectangular, flat-roofed tomb) of Princess Idut is famous for its depictions of everyday life.

Giza is home to the Great Pyramid (Khufu), the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure (originally covered in red, rather than white, granite) and several smaller pyramids.

We entered the burial chamber in the Great Pyramid.

Our last stop was at the Great Sphinx of Giza.