Several of the Abusir Pyramids are relatively well preserved, particularly that of Nyuserre Ini. Overall, Abusir’s pyramids are not as impressive as those in Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur, in part due to the lower quality of the construction and stones used. Nonetheless, the quieter and less tourist-targeted site of Abusir still provides visitors with a worthwhile glimpse into the ancient Egyptian world.

Abusir Pyramids history

Abusir was established during Egypt’s Old Kingdom, encompassing the period between 2700 to 2200 BC. The period saw Egypt reach its first peak of civilisation in the lower Nile Valley, marked by significant pyramid building, including those at Abusir. It was under the reign of Userkaf, first king of the dynasty, who chose to build his Solar Temple at the site.

At the time, Abusir was a royal necropolis during the Fifth Dynasty, operating out of then-capital Memphis. Gaza had been filled with prestigious dead, and so the pharaohs of the early 25th until the mid 24th centuries needed somewhere new to build their fantastic funerary monuments.

The major pyramids at Abusir were step pyramids – rising in stacked platforms with a single large staircase to climb to the top. The Pyramid of Neferirkare is believed to have originally been such a pyramid, but was later filled in to resemble those at Gaza. Additionally, the materials used to construct the monuments at Abusir were of poorer quality to their earlier counterparts, signalling a decrease of royal power or a declining economy.

Abusir remained an important funerary site until the end of the pharaonic times and was excavated in the late 19th century. Their finds included the Abusir Papyri, found in 1893, constituting the largest collection of Old Kingdom papyrus. The papyri documented how the mortuary temples were run, including lists of daily offerings and even a work rota for priests.

Abusir Pyramids today

Today, the ancient pyramids are still visible as towering mounds of bricks in the rough shapes of triangular prisms that touch the sky. Visitors can walk amongst the large rubble making out columns and patterns carved into the rock.

However, the Abusir Pyramids are undoubtedly a shadow of their formerly grand selves, once great funerary monuments to Egypt’s elite members of society. For this reason, be aware the site is not always included in tour itineraries, although this just lends to the peace and lack of crowding at Abusir.

Getting to the Abusir Pyramids

There are currently no public transport services running to the Abusir Pyramids so the easiest way to get their is via hired car or with a guide/driver. From Cairo, the Abusir Pyramids are a 40 minute drive via the ring road and route 75M.

Abydos history

Covering a vast area, Abydos has offered up many historical sites and much of the area still remains uncovered. It is perhaps best known for the well preserved remains of the Temple of Seti I (also known as the Great Temple of Abydos), which was built by Seti and his son Ramesses II in the late 13th century BC. This is the principle tourist attraction of the Abydos site, and in fact much of Abydos is not open to the travelling public.

The settlement itself has a rich history dating back as far as 4,000 BC and pre-dynastic Egypt. During the Middle Kingdom (circa 2,000 BC – 1,600 BC) Abydos became an important religious centre revolving around the worship of Osiris. This led to Abydos becoming one of the most important cities in the region and it became the burial site of many of the ruling elite.

Abydos today

Abydos continued to be an important city and site of pilgrimage right up to the late Roman period and ruins have been found from throughout the long history of the site.

Other notable historic sites at Abydos include the Osireion, the symbolic tomb of Osiris, the necropolis of Umm el-Qa’ab and the Temple of Ramesses II. This site also features as one of our top ten tourist attractions of Egypt.

Getting to Abydos

Many visitors will visit Abydos – along with Dendera – either by train or organised tour from Luxor. The fare is approximately LE 52, first class. From the station, either the tourist police or a police-escorted taxi will take you to the site of the Ramesside temples.

History of Acatitlan

Though a huge and impressive structure, the site itself is a little misleading, having been significantly reconstructed in the 1960s.

Probably inhabited since the 12^th century, the site was later part of the area dominated by the Aztecs before the arrival of the conquistadors. The name ‘Acatitlan’ translates from Nauhautl as ‘the place among the reeds’, and the site is thought to have been dedicated to Tlaloc, the god of water and rain.

After the conquest of the Aztec Empire, Acatitlan was largely abandoned and the pyramid itself fell into decline as it was plundered for masonry. The remains of the pyramid were consumed by the land, buried under mud, plants and debris.

The site was ‘rediscovered’ in the 20th century, and a huge amount of reconstruction work was done on the pyramid in the 1960s by Eduardo Pelayo Moreno, an architect and archaeologist. Its very ‘complete’ appearance today is perhaps misleading therefore. The reconstruction was controversial at the time as it was not done entirely truthfully to how the original would have appeared.

Acatitlan today

The pyramid of Acatitlan is located in a small park in the heart of the modern town and is quite a surprising location to stumble upon. There is a small museum on site with further information about the history of the settlement and various Prehistoric artefacts. Closed Mondays.

Getting to Acatitlan

The pyramid is located in the northern suburbs of Mexico City: you’ll need to take several buses to get here from the Centro Historico, or else hop in an Uber, although bear in mind the traffic in Mexico City is often terrible, especially during rush hour.

History of Cahuachi

Little is known about Cahuachi, but as it overlooked the Nazca Lines, it is thought to have been a ceremonial site. The site is believed to have been built sometime in the 1st century AD, and was abandoned by 500AD, probably because of drought. Over time, it’s thought it turned from a ceremonial site into effectively a graveyard.

At its peak, the site would have stretched across 0.6 square miles – evidence suggests it was a non-urban centre, and never sustained a large population. There are over 40 mounds – naturally occurring structures – which were used as the base for the later adobe structures.

Another site at Cahuachi is known as Estaquería, which archaeologists believed was used for mummification purposes. Looting remains a major problem around the area as the burial areas are fertile grounds for thieves. The site is still undergoing excavation by the Italian archaeologist Guiseppe Orefici.

Excavations have unearthed various useful clues about Nazca society, including their diet, trade patterns and artistic production. The tombs have revealed more clues about Nazca society – bodies were buried facing south, and often wrapped in elaborate textiles and buried with pottery. A variety of ‘trophy heads’ were also found, believed to have been taken either in warfare or ritual sacrifice following victories.

Cahuachi today

The site is quite difficult to access and it’s a sometime active archaeological site, so there’s no signage or explanation. Going with a guide – either as part of a tour or hiring one privately – will drastically improve your experience and massively aid your understanding. Don’t come expecting Macchu Picchu, but the site remains impressive in its own right, particularly given its desert location.

Getting to Cahauchi

Access is relatively difficult – the site lies 25km west of Nazca, down a dirt road. It’s recommended you join an organised tour to get here with the least hassle, although it is possible to drive yourself or hire a taxi should you wish.

History of Calakmul

A major rival to the city of Tikal, Calakmul is believed to have primarily been built between 600BC and 250AD, although the two cities became rivals primarily in the sixth and seventh centuries AD. At its height it was thought to have had estimated to have a population of 50,000, spanning over 27 square miles.. However, as with many cities in the region, Calakmul was slowly abandoned with the collapse of Maya power, around 900AD.

Once comprising of thousands of buildings and other structures, even today Calakmul is only partially excavated: the jungle is extremely dense and excavation is hard work. However, these ruins contain huge pyramids, temples and other structures which are truly awe-inspiring to behold, including the ‘Great Pyramid’ which is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan and the largest Mayan structure discovered so far. Calakmul was far from sources of natural water so the Mayans built a system of reservoirs which are still used by archaeologists today.

Calakmul was ‘rediscovered’ in 1931 by an American botanist named Cyrus Lundell, who gave the site its name, Calakmul. Initial surveys were completed shortly afterwards, but the site remained untouched between 1938 and 1982, when archaeologists returned to the site. Ongoing excavation work continues today, and only a relatively small portion of the entire site has been uncovered or explored.

Calakmul today

The site is located deep in the jungle: it’s hot and sticky, so bring plenty of water and snacks as you won’t find any to buy this far into the jungle. Mosquito repellent is also useful!

The site will take several hours to explore, and to be honest it’s easy to spend an entire day here without trying. Wear sturdy footwear for the pyramids and climbing over ruins. The sweaty climb to the top of the Great Pyramid is particularly spectacular: you’ll be able to see across the top of the jungle canopy, and on a clear day, you might even spot El Mirador, over the border in Guatemala.

There’s a small archaeological museum on the road to Calakmul through the jungle which is worth stopping at, if only to aid your imagination in picturing what this site would have looked like.

Bringing a guide, or hiring one there is a good idea if you want a fuller picture of the site and how it operated in its Maya heyday. Jungle walks are also highly recommended, but it tends to be best to go with a guide.

Getting to Calakmul

Calakmul is in the southern reaches of Mexico, about 20km north of the Guatemalan border and buried deep in the jungle of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. It’s a trek to get here, which is why many think it feels quite so magical. The nearest town is Xpujil, about two hours drive away, which has basic amenities including accommodation for travellers, although this isn’t desperately easy to get to – you’ll need to find the right bus combination from either Bacalar or Chetumal.

Some firms run day trips from Campeche, which are something of a whirlwind but good if you’re short on time.

History of Calixtlahuaca

It’s believed the site has been inhabited since around 640BC, initially by nomadic Otomi farmers, and then settled in a more permanent way later. A small city state named Matlatzinco was formed, which lasted until Aztec forces under the emperor Axayacatl destroyed the city, burning it to the ground and slaughtering many of its inhabitants.

The Aztecs rebuilt the city, naming it Calixtlahuaca (which translates as ‘House on the Plains’ in Nahuatl): it became an outpost of the Aztec empire and built a temple to the Aztec god of the wind, Ehécatl.

In 1510, Calixtlahuaca was the site of a major rebellion: the emperor, Moctezuma II, retaliated by having the whole city destroyed (bar the Great Temple to Ehécatl) and forcibly removing the inhabitants to modern day Michoacan. Subsequently, various groups of farmers repopulated the area slowly, but the city never came close to its former glory.

Calixtlahuaca today

The ruins of the city today are not extensive, although they’re still worthwhile. Perhaps because of this they’re not heaving with tourists, and you can often enjoy the site in relative tranquillity.

Getting to Calixtlahuaca

The site is located about 2km outside of Toluca: you’ll need to catch a bus or find a taxi as the route isn’t really suitable for walking. It’s possible to get here on a day trip from Mexico City if you’re keen.

History of Chacchoben

The exact history of Chacchoben is unclear. Most sources date its pyramids to around 700AD (some say 300AD), although the Mayas are said to have been present at Chacchoben long before this, perhaps as early as 200BC. It would have been one of the largest communities in the region, with a ritual plaza, large temples (some of which still exist) and massive platform groups.

The site was relatively known for much of its history, only officially begin reported to the Mexican government in 1972. Chacchoben was excavated in 1994, and only opened to the public in 2002.

The site is characterised by large temples and massive platform groups.

Chacchoben today

Only a small portion of the site is actually open to the public, with much of it still buried in jungle vegetation. The surrounding jungle is teeming with wildlife and it’s worth finding a guide to take you on a walk through it – it’s a truly enlightening experience. Be warned that cruise ships which dock on the Costa Maya often bring groups here, so you may well find the place deserted or teeming with tourists depending on your timing.

Bring mosquito repellent, water and sturdy shoes so you can climb the stone structures.

Getting to Chacchoben

Chacchoben is just over an hour north of Chetumal, located between Ruta 293 and 307.

The name Chichen Itza literally means  ‘at the mouth of the well of the Itza’ in Mayan, and the site was chosen for its location: it has four large cenotes (waterholes) close by, which would have provided plentiful fresh water to the city’s inhabitants. At its height, it was one of the largest Mayan cities, sprawling over 25 square kilometres and home to up to 50,000 people.

History

Mayans first occupied the Chichen Itza site around 600AD, although the city only rose to prominence in the 10th century: it eventually became a regional capital, controlling large swathes of the Yucatan peninsula following the decline and eventual collapse of the nearby cities of Yaxuna and Coba. Whilst the city began to decline somewhere around 1100AD, it was never deserted.

When the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the early/mid 16th century, they found a thriving population in the locality of Chichen Itza, which initially drove them out when they attempt to colonise the city. Control of Chichen Itza and the Yucatan by the Spanish was gained by mid 16th century.

Explorers including Desire Charnay, Augustus Le Plongeon and Alfred Maudslay were some of the first Europeans to photograph and explore Chichen Itza in the late 19th century: their photographs of Chichen Itza entered the popular imagination.

American archaeologists were the first to excavate the site in the early 20th century: much of what was found was shipped back to Harvard’s Peabody Museum. Mexican and American archaeologists began to fully restore the site in the 1920s.

1. El Castillo

Arguably the most iconic temple in Mayan culture, this 365 stepped pyramid rises from what is the centre of the Chichen Itza complex today. Although it’s no longer climbable, it’s still remarkable: built with the spring and autumn equinoxes in mind, when the late afternoon sun hits the north west corner of the pyramid around these moments, it creates a series of shadows showing where the sculptures of feathered serpents appear to crawl down the pyramid.

The pyramid is believed to have been specifically and significantly located above a cenote. Extensive excavations of the pyramid have discovered various human remains, suggesting it was used for sacrifices. The temple itself is located at the top of the pyramid, and is dedicated to Kukulkan, a feathered serpent deity.

2. El Gran Juego de Pelota (The Great Ball Court)

The Mesoamerican ballgame remains something of a mystery in the modern world. The game was played with a ball of hard rubber, which weighed about 4kgs. It had some resemblance to football, apart from the fact that the ball could only be touched with hips and thighs rather than feet or hands. Goals / rings line the length of either side of the court, and the ones at Chichen Itza are extremely well preserved.

Legend suggests that the game formed part of a wider ritual, and that the losing team would be sacrificed: this remains unsubstantiated. Chichen Itza alone has 13 ball courts, but The Great Ball Court is the biggest at 168 metres long and 70 metres wide. It also has a whispering effect, meaning you can hear (and be heard) clearly from the other end of the court – make sure to try it out.

3. El Cenote Sagrado (The Sacred Cenote)

Cenotes are natural sinkholes, filled with fresh water that can be found across the Yucatan peninsula. The Sacred Cenote’s name derives from its association with sacrifice: it became a place of pilgrimage in Mayan culture, and it was believed that throwing sacrifices into the cenote (which Mayans believed could be connected to the underworld) would bring good luck and fortune upon the thrower.

Sacrifices ranged from gold, silver and jade objects to human remains. It seems that for the most part those sacrificed in the cenote would have been killed prior to their sacrifice. Other stories report that Mayans believed that those who survived being thrown in the cenote as a sacrifice would return with the power of prophecy.

4. El Caracol

The Spanish named this observatory El Caracol (the snail) for its interior spiral staircase. Mayans used astronomy as part of their religious rituals, without using any kind of apparatus (i.e. just using the naked eye). The site allows for the observation of at least 20 notable astronomical events which could be used as markers of time. The building itself is a fusion of architectural styles and Mayan religious imagery.

Getting to Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is about halfway between Merida and Cancun on Ruta 180, just to the west of Valladolid. Public buses run to Chichen Itza regularly from all three cities and take a couple of hours: although the early start might sound painful, you’ll be thankful when you get there!

Organised day trips and tours are also available from everywhere on the Yucatan to Chichen Itza.

History of Cobá

It’s thought that the city developed around 632 AD and peaked between 800 and 1100 AD. Whilst it is thought that Cobá originally spanned a massive 60 square kilometres and had a population of up to 50,000, the current archaeological site has yet to uncover all its remains.

Whilst Cobá began to decline in the 12th century, it remained an important site with buildings constructed and maintained until at least the 14th century, and potentially until the arrival of the conquistadors in the early 16th century, by which point it was abandoned.

Cobá was consumed by the jungle, and it was only in the late 19th century that western explorers and archaeologists reached it for the first time. In the 1920s the site became known to the archaeological community but it was only really in the 1970s that major archaeological work was undertaken as prior to this Cobá was too remote / hard to access.

What can be viewed today is spread into four sections, named Grupo Cobá, Chumuc Mul, Macanxoc and Nohoch Mul.

Grupo Cobá contains a large holy pyramid called the Temple of the Church, translated as “La Iglesia”. Nearby, along a worn path is a playing field used to play ball games, signposted as “juego de pelota”.

The most impressive site at Cobá is its Great Pyramid, also known as the Nohoch Mul Pyramid. Rising to a height of 138 feet, the Great Pyramid is the second tallest of all Maya pyramids in the region after Estructura II at Calakmul. Climbing the steep stairs of this pyramid can be daunting, but the views are great.

Residential areas at Cobá were set up in clusters of 15 houses, joined together by sacbeobs (elevated walkways).

Cobá today

Widely regarded as one of the more atmospheric sets of ruins in Mexico, Cobá is buried deep in jungle vegetation and there’s plenty to explore: allow half a day to wander round fully, wear decent shoes for climbing, and remember insect repellent.

There are cenotes close by (about 7km), and bikes are available to rent on site. The modern day town of Cobá is about 2km away if you’re in need of refreshments.

Getting to Cobá

Cobá is roughly equidistant between Tulum and Valladolid, along Ruta 109. It should take about an hour to drive there from either, and buses run regularly.

Dahshur history

Built by the pharaoh Sneferu (reign circa 2613 BC-2589 BC), founder of the Fourth Dynasty and father of Khufu, the Red Pyramid is one of Dahshur’s most famous residents and the second oldest pyramid ever built. In fact, it is thought that this was where Sneferu himself was buried.

Dahshur today

Dahshur is the place to find the ‘Bent Pyramid’, so called due to its unusual change of angle. Also built by Sneferu, the Bent Pyramid is atypical as it has two entrances.

Unlike the more popular Giza and Saqqara, Dahshur has not become a tourist hotspot, despite its ancient attractions, including the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. Visitors to Dahshur can tour the Red Pyramid and the more recently opened Bent Pyramid as well.

Unsurprisingly, the Black Pyramid, also at Dahshur cannot be toured. In fact, this pyramid, built for the pharaoh Amenemhat III (reign circa 1831 BC-1786 BC) and originally 266 feet high, has deteriorated badly due to the unstable ground on which it sits and the mud brick used in its construction.

Getting to Dahshur

The easiest way of reaching Dahshur is driving. Take Saqqara Road, past Saqqara and Memphis then turn right at the sign for the Dahshur Antiquities. The road goes through the village of Dahshur straight into the site which you need to drive around as it is very large.