Pyramids at Giza, Egypt - December 2011

To see pyramids is the main reason of our coming to Egypt.  We saved the best for (almost) last!. We hired a taxi to take us to Giza and to visit the pyramids of Dahshur and Saqqaraa. 

Our first stop was Giza, about 10 miles southwest of Cairo. There we saw the famous "The Great Pyramid". There are three huge pyramids in the Giza Plateau with the Sphinx a as the guardian as we entered the site. The Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the Giza pyramids, built by the 4th Dynasty king, Khufu 2589BC. The other two are the pyramids of Khafre (Khufu's son) and Menkaure (Khafre's successor) are not as big. There is also Tomb of Queen Khentkawes, daughter of Menkaure in the plateau and three small pyramids (Queens' Pyramids) were built for members of the king's family. There were horse and camel rides availabe to tour the plateau but we chose to walk the ground instead. One of the main pyramids is open for the public to view the inside for a few hours a day. However, we decide to go inside the Red Pyramid in Dahshur later.

The Great Pyramid at Giza



The Sphinx and Pyramid of Khafre

The Sphinx at Giza in the background


Dahshur has two famous pyramids: The Bent Pyramid and The Red Pyramid. Bent Pyramid is considered Egypt's first proper pyramid because until that time, pyramids were stepped like the one at Saqqara. It was constructed by king Sneferu, father of Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid in Giza. Not happy with the Bent Pyramid, Sneferu began to construct the Red Pyramid (because of its ancient red graffiti). We entered the Red Pyramid from a passage on the north face. There are series of steps with very low ceiling inside to climb down and then up to the main burial chamber.

Sneferu's Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

The Red Pyramid at Dahshur



Inside the burial chamber of the Red Pyramid



"High Five' after exiting the Red Pyramid. 

Saqqara has much older pyramids than these of Giza's or Dahshur's. The Step Pyramid of Djoser was built in the 27th century BC for King Djoser. It is currently undergoing exterior conservation work. Before this pyramid, Egyptian royal tombs had been underground.

Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara