The Red Pyramid in Egypt

Why Visit the Red Pyramid?

Besides being a tomb for Pharaohs, the Red Pyramid is a testimony to the greatest engineering project of the Old Kingdom. It was built after several experiments with the shape of the pyramids by the ancient Egyptians, like the nearby Bent Pyramid. Success of the Red Pyramid showed that the smooth-sided pyramid can be built safely and made it an example of great pyramids to come.

With a height of about 104 meters, it is one of the biggest pyramids of Egypt. Its name is associated with the reddish color of limestone used in the building process and becomes visible especially during sunrise and sunset. In contrast to the crowded area of the Giza Pyramids, Red Pyramid offers an opportunity to see it on a quiet place.

Step Inside One of Egypt's Best-Preserved Pyramids

Whereas most of the other ancient structures allow you to appreciate the exterior structure alone, the Red Pyramid allows visitors to walk inside and see the original interior of the structure. The passage leading into the interior is lengthy and involves walking down a sloping structure that eventually leads into a series of large rooms with corbelled ceilings which are still intact despite the passage of over 4,500 years since the building of the structure. Even though the rooms are not decorated with elaborate art work, they provide an insight into how the Egyptians were able to construct their pyramids.

Why Dahshur Deserves a Place on Your Cairo Itinerary

Although millions of tourists visit the pyramids of Giza every year, Dahshur provides an opportunity to experience the authentic and undisturbed adventure of ancient Egypt. It is a UNESCO world heritage site with the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid; therefore, tourists will be able to visit some spectacular sights without the hustle of crowded places. The calm desert location makes it the perfect place to understand the early development of pyramids and enjoy the magnificent view of the surrounding area. Being only a few miles away from Cairo, it can be easily visited along with Saqqara and Memphis, which would make it a perfect full-day sightseeing trip outside of Cairo.

What Should You Wear?

Selecting the appropriate clothing will assist you in having an easy and enjoyable trip. Wearing light clothes will serve you best when visiting the site during the summer season, while wearing comfortable shoes for walking will be useful when you have to walk on the sand and also inside the passageway of the pyramid.

In case you want to visit the inside of the pyramid, then you should expect some narrow passages and a slight descent. In such a case, it will be useful if you carry only a light bag or a backpack.