Naturally, the reason that anyone visits Giza is to see the only remaining ancient wonder of the world, the Great Pyramids. But you may be unaware of what you can actually do once you reach the Giza Plateau. Here are five things to do that you shouldn't miss out on if you want to make your experience truly unforgettable.

Camel Ride

It's amazing the difference that it makes to ride into the Giza Plateau on the back of a camel rather than in the belly of a bus. The outskirts of the town of Giza are replete with stables that rent out camels and guides for the trip for a fair price (remember, these areas are extremely poor and their only income is from tourism). You'll start off on the streets through the outskirts of town, so be sure to pay attention and duck when necessary. Your guides will make the trip fun-if you like they'll even let you run the camels-and stop at all of the best places for photos with the pyramids in the background.

Mastaba Tombs

On your way into the pyramid complex be sure to stop at any of the network of tombs surrounding the pyramids. They are highly decorated with hieroglyphics. You can climb around and explore the various tunnels, though most of them are either sealed off or don't lead anywhere exciting. You can take a few photographs that show you as a real-life Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, whichever suits your fancy. Be sure to bring a flashlight, especially if you have children and don't want them to be scared by the dark spaces.

Queens' Pyramids

Located east of Khufu's pyramid are three smaller pyramids. Only one of these is actually classified as a pyramid, but looks more like a small pile of rubble next to the imposing figures of the Great Pyramids. The other two are four-step structures. Once you have your entrance ticket to the plateau you can enter these pyramids at no extra charge. This is great if you want to explore the insides of a pyramid but don't want to pay the extra money to enter the Great Pyramids.

The Great Pyramid of Cheops

Khufu's pyramid is the largest of the three, though it actually looks smaller than Khafre's due to the latter being built on a hill. The entrance is actually one that was cut by thieves and is located further down than the original entrance. The tunnel down is narrow, as with all of the pyramids in Egypt. You can descend down into the Grand Gallery and the tomb chamber to see the sarcophagus. It does cost an extra 100 Egyptian Pounds to enter, and it's often overly crowded. If you've been into any of the other pyramids in surrounding areas, you may want to skip the trip inside. Just don't miss the opportunity to marvel at its size from the outside, and maybe climb a few of the monstrous rocks.

The Sphinx

South of Khafre's pyramid is the grand sphinx, protector of the plateau. Hewn from natural rock and slowly eroding from Nile waters, the sphinx is an awesome sight. From a distance you can get those iconic photographs of the sphinx with Khafre's pyramid behind it. With some luck and a bit of skill you can even get the illusion that there are no people around. Once you get in close you can see the two temples. The one in front is dated to the same time period that the sphinx was originally constructed.

Once you've seen all that you want of the Giza Plateau, you can head back out on your camel. One more tip worth mentioning: ride the camel as far forward as possible with both feet resting on its neck. This results in a sore bottom, but it's much easier to roam through pyramids and tombs with a sore butt than the sore thighs that result from riding with one leg slung over each side of the camel's back.