The pyramids were built by the ancient Egyptians as a tomb to their Pharaohs and their queens. Built in the deserts of Egypt on the West bank of river Nile, pyramids are beautiful yet complex structures that have baffled the world. Around a 100 pyramids have been discovered by scholars until now. Let us have a look at the 10 most fascinating Pyramids of Egypt.
10 Fascinating Pyramids of Egypt
Egyptian civilization was one of the earliest known civilizations in the world. Their achievements in the field of medicine, art, and architecture were well known across the globe and the Pyramids of Egypt are the proof.
1. The Great Pyramid of Giza
Located centrally in the Plateau of Giza, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only surviving ancient Pyramid of Egypt. It also goes by the name-Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops. Built for the Pharaoh Khufu in 2560 BC, this Pyramid is the largest among the Pyramids of Giza and is 138.5 meters tall. It is said to have been built with about 2 million blocks of casting stones along with limestone and granite. It is the only Pyramid to have a swivel door at the entrance. Inside of this Egyptian Pyramid, one can find a Queen’s chamber, a King’s chamber, and a grand gallery. It is definitely one of the most famous pyramids in Egypt.
Location: Al Ahram, Giza
Timings: 7:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: INR 800 per person
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2. Pyramid of Khafre
This is the second largest Pyramid of Giza built for Khufu’s son- Khafre and is also called the Pyramid of Chephren. It is located next to the Pyramid of Khufu/the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was constructed in 2570 BC on a bedrock giving it a higher elevation and thus have a more pointed top. The Pyramid has two entrances unlike others and a unique feature of this Pyramid is that one can find the Great Sphinx, Mortuary Temple and a Valley Temple within the same complex. The Great Sphinx is a statue of a huge human-headed lion carved out of natural rock that guards the Pyramid of Khufu.
Location: Al Ahram, Giza
Timings: 7:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: INR 800 per person
3. Pyramid of Menkaure
The smallest pyramid among the three Pyramids of Giza was built for Menkaure- the grandson of Khufu. Menkaure was the last Pharaoh to build a pyramid. The structure was built using white limestone, but the base, up to 16 layers, was built out of red granite. The height of the pyramid is just 65 meters. The Pyramid has been a victim of vandalism in the 12th Century due to which part of the Pyramid is now missing.
Location: Al Ahram, Giza
Timings: 7:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: INR 800 per person
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4. Pyramid of Djoser
The Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt was the first pyramid to be built in the 27th Century by Imhotep for the burial of the Pharaoh Djoser. It is located at a place called Saqqara, 25 km South of Cairo and is 62 meters in height. I The ancient Egyptians used to build tombs called mastabas earlier with a flat roof. Imhotep stacked 6 mastabas on top of each other above the ground to give a structure called the Step Pyramid or the Layer Pyramid. The entire Djoser Pyramid is built using limestone and has 13 fake doors built into it but just one entrance to the southeast side of the complex.
Location: Al Badrashin, Giza Governorate
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: Free
5. The Bent Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid was built around 2600 BC in the heart of Dahshur for the Pharaoh Sneferu. It also goes by the name Southern Shine Pyramid or the Pyramid of Sneferu. It stands at 40 meters height. The base of the Pyramid rises up at an angle of 54 degrees from the desert floor and the top section is built at 43-degree angle giving it a tilting image and the name. This was the first real smooth sided Pyramid of Egypt.
Location: Monshaat Dahshur, Al Badrashin, Giza
Timings: 8:00 to 16:00
Entry Fee: INR 500
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6. The Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid is the third largest Pyramid of Egypt built during the reign of the Pharaoh Sneferu. It is 104 meters in height and is also called the North Pyramid. It gets its name from the fact that it is entirely built from red limestone. The remains of the Mortuary Temple can be found on the east side of the Pyramid.
Location: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: Free
7. Pyramid of Meidum
The Pyramid of Meidum was built for the Pharaoh Huni but collapsed due to a major design fault. To enter the Pyramid one has to enter through the robber’s tunnel which is very narrow and claustrophobic but chamber it connects to is quite spacious. However, only 3 steps or layers are visible today. The Pyramid is located 100 km southeast of Cairo. This Pyramid is a transitional form between the step and smooth-sided pyramids. A Mortuary Temple is to the east side of the Pyramid.
Location: Beni Suef Governorate
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: Free
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8. Pyramid of Unas
Pyramid of Unas was built in the 24th Century in the Saqqara Plateau for the Pharaoh Unas. It stood 43 meters tall when built but today it is in a rubble. This is a very significant pyramid as it represented the first of the Pyramids to have the hymns carved on its wall. This Pyramid was rediscovered in the 19th Century and a mummy was recovered from the ruins.
Location: Saqqara, Giza
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: Free
9. Pyramid of Sahure
The Pyramid of Sahure was built in the Abusir area near the Temple of the Sun. Though this Pyramid lies in ruins now, archeologists have excavated some interesting artifacts that make it worth a visit. The blocks used to build this Pyramid was found to be of a different quality than what was used in the 5th dynasty. Pink granite portcullis has been discovered beneath the ruins leading to a small vestibule. The open courtyard of the Mortuary Temple to the east of the Pyramid consists of 16 monolithic pink granite columns shaped like palm groves.
Location: Half an hour from Cairo
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: free
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10. Pyramid of Ahmose
The Pyramid of Ahmose is the last known Egyptian Pyramid. It was built as a cenotaph to Pharaoh Ahmose using mud bricks instead of stone blocks in the 18th Dynasty leading to its collapse. After 12th Dynasty Pharaohs were laid inside hidden underground tombs in places like The Valley of the Kings.
Location: Abydos
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: Free
Some Interesting Facts About The Pyramids Of Egypt:
- The Egyptian Pyramids were built to serve as the royal tombs to the Pharaohs. There personal belongings and essentials for their afterlife were placed around their tombs. The Pyramids faced the North and the associated Mortuary Temples were built to the east side of the pyramids associating it with the realm of the dead according to the Egyptian Mythology.
The shape of the Pyramid represents the sun rays and the steps with the dead ascend to the afterlife. The Pyramids of Egypt represent benben – a mound of earth that rose from the primordial waters on which the God stood and created mankind in their mythology.
- The Pyramids of Giza were built for the Pharaoh Khufu and his relatives in the 4th Dynasty around 2580-2560 BC. The three Pyramids face North, South, and East deliberately to represent the three stars of Orion’s belt. Egyptians associated themselves with the constellation and considered Osiris as their God of the afterlife. The temperature inside of the pyramids is always 20 degree Celsius.
- Four Types of Pyramids have been discovered until now.
The step/Layer Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid
The Red Pyramid and
The Great Pyramids of Giza.
Tips To Follow When In Egypt
- Wear comfortable shoes. Cover up to avoid sunburns. Carry lots of liquids.
- The Pyramids can be reached by tour buses or private taxi. Visitors can take a camel ride to the pyramids.
- Toilets and a restaurant are available at the Sphinx complex.
- Do not miss the Sound and light show at the Pyramids of Giza.
- The best time to visit the pyramids of Egypt is in the winters.
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Egyptians were one of the most developed and powerful civilizations of all time. For a good peek at the ancient Egyptian civilization, visit the Pyramids of Egypt. While most of the historic artifacts have been stolen and the rest have been transported to various museums around the world, they are the wonders worth checking out on an Egyptian vacay.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pyramids of Egypt
How many days are enough for a trip to Egypt?
The ideal duration for a vacation in Egypt is 7 days and 6 nights. However, the days can be extended or minimized according to the requirements of the travelers.
What is the best time to visit Egypt?
It is recommended that travelers plan their visit during the months of October and April. However, if tourists wish to avoid the crowds then skip your plan for the months of December and January.
What are the things you can do in Egypt in night?
Egypt boasts of several clubs, pubs, cafeterias and casinos which can be visited to make the night more intriguing. Another option is to go for camping with the Egyptians natives while getting to know about them.
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