Travelers Can Now Explore the Inside of Egypt’s ‘Bent’ Pyramid
Before ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramid of Giza, with its impossibly straight sides, they worked on other variations of the structure. One such predecessor, which has rounded sides, is now welcoming visitors.
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12 July 2020, Egypt, Dahshur: A woman walk inside the Bent Pyramid of Sneferu. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images)[/caption]
12 July 2020, Egypt, Dahshur: A woman walk inside the Bent Pyramid of Sneferu. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images)[/caption]
As of last Saturday, travelers can reach the interior of Egypt’s ‘bent’ pyramid by walking through a narrow 256-foot tunnel that leads to two chambers deep inside the structure. The 4,600-year-old structure, which came after the pyramids with stepped sides and before those with straight sides — like the Great Pyramid of Giza — played a key role in the evolution of pyramid construction. It was originally built for Fourth Dynasty founding pharaoh Sneferu and is located in Dahshur, about 17 miles south of central Cairo.
Reuters reports that the first 147 feet of the 331-foot pyramid was built at a steep 54-degree angle, but then tapers off to a flatter, 43-degree angle at the top. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Reuters that the pyramid’s architects changed the angle when cracks started appearing.
“Sneferu lived a very long time...the architects wanted to reach the complete shape, the pyramid shape,” said Mohamed Shiha, who is the director of the site that contains the pyramid, to Reuters. “Exactly where he was buried — we are not sure of that. Maybe in this [bent] pyramid, who knows?”
Visitors to the “bent” pyramid will also be able to enter the smaller, adjoining pyramid, which was possibly built for Sneferu’s wife Hetepheres and is open for the first time since its excavation in 1956.
Felucca Cruise Information
Felucca Defination
A felucca is a sea-craft, made according to a traditional design, with broad canvas sails. Essentially, the craft is reliant on wind-power with no motor, and are dependent upon the wind factor to propel forth, so itineraries are subject to change from time to time. The Felucca carries from 1 up to 10 persons comfortably and the deck is strewn with soft colorful cushions and rugs and equipped with a canopy that offers shade and protection from the sun. felucca sails for a trip in Cairo or if you are in Aswan, you can enjoy Felucca from Aswan to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, taking in some stops at points of interest, planned or impromptu, the peaceful routine of life aboard allows us to escape the stress of everyday life! We dock at the shoreline for dinner and later sleep under the stars and the moon
Accommodation is on the boat deck itself. There are no ablution facilities aboard, however, the captain makes regular stops en-route, for both sightseeing, ablutions and indeed swimming in safe areas of the Nile River, where the water is fast flowing and the swimmer is at minimum risk of contracting bilharzias. All meals are included in the cruise and cooked on board by the crew.
Traveling down the Nile by felucca is a 'must-do' in Egypt. The sun setting across the Nile in the evening aboard a graceful felucca can't be beaten! Please be an environmental friend. While on the Nile please place all toilet paper and sanitary items in the bags provides and we will dispose of them.
What to pack on board
If you will stay on board for nights Sleeping bag Sun-tan Lotion Bug Spray Personal towels Beach attire Cotton T-Shirts Toilet paper/ sanitary products for your journey Walkman's Warm clothes for you, it does get slightly cold in the evening and in the early hours of the morning Torch Plenty of film for your camera. Snacks for yourself throughout on board If you have a weak stomach bring some medications for Diarrhea and Vomiting with you
Drink plenty of water whilst on the felucca so you do not get dehydrated as in summer it can reach up to 41 degrees.
felucca captain and stuff
The felucca captains (crew) are totally responsible about making it sail and stop in some routes, also they cook all the meals on board
Water, soft drinks, and beer can be purchased aboard at very reasonable cost, a tally for which is kept. You are not permitted to take on board any drinks that the crew sell. Drinks for sale will be stored in a cold box and the crew will ensure they are kept icy cold. On the last day, everybody pays his or her drinks bill to the felucca captains.
facilities on felucca
There are no toilet facilities on board. You can use the toilets provided at the sites you visit during the day, at night you are moored by the riverbank and will need to find somewhere onshore. In general, and that is why it is a real adventure, you can use the toilets in the sites (temples & museums). The general standard of public toilets, when you can find them, is to a poor hygienic standard. Most come with a water squirter for washing yourself, so always have toilet papers with you!
Entertainments on felucca
Our felucca crew entertains you with their music and dance have fun and join them, also you can play cards, read a book, swim, or help the crew in preparing the meals.
Tours on board
You Can enjoy a felucca ride through one of our Egypt Tours. Now you will have become accustomed to the traditional felucca sailing boats as we use them to visit the West Bank at Aswan and islands of the First Cataract or in Cairo Nile.
Source: http://scalar.ctl.utexas.edu/travel/guide-to-book-nile-cruise-from-cairo
Nile River Cruises Draw Tourists to Egypt's Amazing Attraction
Cruises are one of the fastest growing tourism segments in the world. Travel in the famous floating cities has increasingly attracted travelers seeking sophistication and comfort.
The main itineraries include the traditional tropical beaches, but, as Luxor and Aswan Travel explains , adventure and exotic travel have increasingly fallen in the taste of tourists around the world. According to the company, one of the routes on the rise right now are the Nile River cruises in Egypt.
The Nile River is considered by many historians to be the cradle of human civilization. Running in the middle of the desert, he was responsible for the fertile lands that gave Egyptian civilization a powerful economy, leading it, over 6,000 years ago, to stand out from other cultures. It was in Egypt where the writing, the calendar, the first systems of numbers, weights and measurements came into being.
In addition, there were also grandiose architectural works, temples with veritable forests of columns, gold-filled burial chambers and splendid pyramids: monuments that still perplex us today and in which researchers continue to make extraordinary discoveries.
Packages include everything a family, a couple, a group of friends and even individual travelers are looking for. There are numerous options to suit all preferences. The Luxor and Aswan Travel also explains that it is worth checking all package options to find the one perfect for making the dream trip.
15 Incredibly Useful Travel Tips for Egypt!
Below you’ll find my top travel tips for Egypt along with a little personal advice sprinkled on top. I hope you find these Egypt travel tips helpful.
If you find these tips to be helpful or you have some tips of your own, please be sure to leave a comment at the end of this article.
Egypt is one of my favorite countries in the world for a variety of reasons.
I’ve visited the country on four different occasions over the course of the last few years and three of those visits were 3 weeks or longer.
While I love this country to pieces, it also should be known that it’s one of the more difficult countries I’ve ever traveled to.
Ready to learn more about my top 15 travel tips for Egypt? Let’s get started.
Travel Insurance
When preparing for a trip to Egypt your first priority should be to make sure you make the small investment towards your health and well being by purchasing a flexible, reputable and affordable travel insurance policy for your trip.
Not only will this travel insurance policy cover you if your bags are lost/stolen and if your flight is delayed/cancelled, but you’ll also be covered for all medical and injury related issues as well.
Let’s face it. No parents, family or friends want to have to cover the cost of you getting MedEvaced home from the middle of the Egypt.
As you know, in life, things happen.
Do yourself a favor and get your coverage now so you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of in the event of a serious emergency in Egypt.
Hire an Egypt Tour Guide
Planning a trip to Egypt isn’t as easy as you’d think.
From accommodations to transportation and planning all the smaller logistics, there always seems to be a major disconnect somewhere along the way.
As you know, I’m more of an independent traveler than anything else and I rarely recommend hiring a tour guide.
If there’s one place in the world that I would recommend hiring a guide, it’s in Egypt.
Why? Because Egypt is a very unique and difficult country to travel to if you don’t have any prior experience.
In order to be sure that you have the best trip possible, my advice is to head on over to my recent article:
Bring Your Haggling Skills
One of the most important skills you need in order to have a positive experience in Egypt is the skill of haggling and negotiating.
Everything is negotiable in Egypt and it’s expected so don’t worry about offending anyone with your offers.
From buying a water at the corner store to shopping for souvenirs at the market to non-metered taxis, haggling is absolutely necessary.
Bring Your Own Toilet Paper
Bring your own toilet paper. Trust me on this one.
You’ll be hard pressed to find toilet paper in most restrooms in Egypt.
The toilets have a built-in bidet spray nozzle for those who forget to bring toilet paper along but who the heck wants to walk out of the bathroom with a wet behind?
Not me. That’s for sure. I think it’s safe to assume you wouldn’t either.
To avoid this sticky situation simply stop into a local shop and pick up a roll of TP and take enough to last you the day when you’re heading out to explore.
Use Uber in Cairo
Did you know Uber operates in the city of Cairo?
If not, well now you know. What’s even better is that you can get your first ride free (up to 70 EGP or approximately $8 USD) when signing up for a new Uber account.
While taxis are generally safe and easy to use, Uber is definitely your best bet if you’re looking to move around the city without worries.
All you have to do to take advantage of this Uber first ride free discount is the following:
Beware of Scammers
Be careful who you trust in Egypt. Many people are out for your money.
That being said, you should be able to figure out who is genuine and whose not after the first few minutes of conversation.
If a person mentions a single thing about money, simply move along.
Personally, I’ve met some of the most genuine people in the world during my travels to Egypt, so I highly recommend that you attempt to initiate conversation with the locals.
Note: If someone approaches you and starts to tell you that he owns a perfume shop, or mentions the Arabic word “baksheesh” which means “tip” in English, tell them “La, Shukran” which means “No, thank you.” in English and simply walk the other way.
Always Ask for Prices
Ask the price before buying water, soda, candy, and anything else that you can imagine buying at a convenience store.
If you’re used to paying a lower price in other shops for your item, haggle with the shop owner a bit to get a little closer to the local rate.
Use the Cairo Metro System
The Cairo Metro system is surprisingly one of the more efficient metro systems that I’ve encountered on my travels.
Be aware that it’s rare that you’ll run into other foreigners on the metro.
I’ve taken the metro countless times and never once saw another tourist or foreigner.
Considering you’ll be a minority, expect the train to go silent at times and when you look up, the entire car will be looking at you out of curiosity.
Did you know that the Cairo Metro system is the first of two built and completed metro systems in the entire continent of Africa?
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Walking shoes or comfortable sneakers are best when planning a trip to Egypt.
Sure, you can wear flip flops or sandals from time to time but please realize that the streets of Cairo and the majority of Egypt are dirty therefore you’ll be sure to return to your hotel with a pair of dirty feet.
Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands
Carry hand sanitizer with you when you travel to Egypt!
You’ll constantly be touching doors, hand rails and currency while you’re in the city and you won’t be the only one touching these things.
Remember, there’s an estimated 20-25 million people in Cairo.
Be sure to wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer whenever you don’t have the opportunity to make a bathroom stop.
Watch Your Step
Watch where you’re walking while exploring the city.
The streets of Cairo are not maintained well.
One time I got really lucky and avoided breaking an ankle or worse after my foot and half of my leg fell into a hole in the sidewalk while walking through the city.
This was not your typical pot hole, this was a hole that engulfed half of my leg to above my knee.
Dangerous isn’t even the word for the streets and sidewalks in Cairo. Beware.
Stay Hydrated
No worries about drinking tap water because nobody drinks it (including the locals).
During your trip, you’ll be buying lots of bottled water.
You’ll need it to brush your teeth, to drink during the day and maybe even some to pour over your head after being in the extreme heat all day.
Note: As a foreigner you’ll be charged anywhere from 4 to 10 EGP for a “big bottle” (1.5, 2 liter) of water depending on where you purchase it. Trust me, you can get these bottles for 2, 2.5 EGP. Just haggle with the shop owner and you’ll get it for 2 EGP. If they say that it’s 4, or 5 EGP just tell them that you buy water down the street all the time for 2EGP and they’ll usually have no problem selling it to you. Just be aware of what the real “Egyptian” prices are for certain items and you’ll be fine.
Eat Where the Locals Eat
There is a universal rule for consuming food in foreign countries.
The rule is to only eat at street stalls and restaurants that are occupied by locals.
If there’s nobody in the restaurant during what should be a busy time of day, avoid it.
If there’s a line of locals standing in front of a street stall, get in line because you know that it’s not only great food but it’s also very affordable.
Cross the Streets with Confidence
The driving and traffic in Cairo will be shocking to you when you first arrive.
Crossing the streets is quite intimidating at first but after you get used to it, you’ll be crossing the streets without issue.
Trust me, there’s a science to it! Don’t bother getting assistance from the “Tourist Police” when crossing the roads as it’s not necessary.
Note: If you’re wondering why a police officer is asking you for baksheesh (tip) it’s because they probably just did something for you that you thought was a kind gesture (like escorting you across the road). This happens often so be prepared.
Respect the Dress Code and Culture
If you’re planning on traveling to Egypt please do your research before you leave.
Many foreigners arrive in Egypt and dress like they’re still in their home country.
This type of behavior can and will attract more unwanted attention, stares, and even perhaps physical advances by Egyptian men.
In order to blend in a little more and avoid disrespecting the culture my best advice is to choose your clothing carefully.
Females:
- Be sure to keep your knees and shoulders covered at all times.
- Bring a scarf to cover your hair when visiting mosques and other religious sights.
- Always remove shoes before entering a mosque.
- If you’re visiting a mosque and do not have something to cover your shoulders, legs (from the knee down), and hair the staff will likely provide you with an oversized robe.
- Bikinis and other swimwear are totally acceptable to wear while at the resorts on the Red Sea.
Males:
- Wearing shorts when exploring the city isn’t a problem but you’ll need a pair of longer pants or jeans for the evenings as well as when you visit someones home or get invited to an event.
- Sleeveless shirts, tank tops and gym attire is not acceptable. Don’t be that guy.
- Think light, comfy and layers for the chilly nights.
- Swimming trunks and other swimwear would be acceptable to wear at the resorts or wandering around town in the destinations on the Red Sea.
7 of the Most Popular Attractions in Egypt
Very few places in the world are as fascinating as Egypt. All thanks to a geographic location that has allowed the blossoming and development of one of the most interesting peoples of antiquity that has left much to the modern world.
Egypt is a vast country: its surface reaches one million square kilometers. However, 90% of the population is concentrated on the narrow strip of fertile land around the Nile. There are numerous tourist attractions in Egypt, which include:
Cairo
For thousands of years, Cairo has been the heart of the life of the Egyptians. Despite being a bustling metropolis, crowded and full of traffic, it remains one of the most unique cities in Egypt: the crossroads of several civilizations and a meeting place for numerous ancient monuments, imposing buildings and magnificent mosques. Do not miss the great bazaar of Khan El Khalili, where, even if you do not purchase anything, you can see the streets and alleys full of shops and stalls, with their smells, colors and voices, creating a unique atmosphere. Then there is the Egyptian Museum, the largest in the world for the quality and quantity of archaeological finds.
Giza
The Giza Plateau provides people with an insight into the glorious days of ancient Egypt. You cannot go to Egypt and not be amazed by the beauty and majesty of the three pyramids of Khefren, Kheope and Menkaure and the lion-shaped Sphinx overlooking the landscape below. The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the wonders of the ancient world and it still remains one of the most visited ancient structures in the world.
Luxor
Luxor contains two splendid monuments dedicated to the god Amun, the father of all the gods. Even more surprising are the tombs of the pharaohs of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasty in the Valley of the Kings and Colossi of Memnon, giant stone guarding the valley. The Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple on the East Bank of Luxor fascinate tourists with their grandeur and elegance. Apart from the above, there are many other ancient structures in Luxor which are worth visiting.
Aswan
Before Aswan was known for its abundance of red granite that was used in the construction of the obelisks. Today this city is famous for the Aswan High Dam, which helps to control flood in the country. Other attractions in Aswan include the Nubian Museum, Unfinished Obelisk, Fatimid Cemetery, and Elephantine Island etc.
Abu Simbel
The village of Abu Simbel, contains the great temple complex which is considered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the temples were moved to this village to save them from flooding. The Great Temple of Ramses and the Temple of Hathor are ancient structures that should not be missed, when touring Egypt. On the front of the Temple of Ramses, there are four colossal statues that represent him. Tourists can easily hire a taxi for travelling to Abu Simbel from the city of Aswan.
Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is the most famous seaside resort town on the Red Sea. It is ideal for those who want to spend some quiet time on the beach. Tourists can also enjoy various aquatic sport activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, diving, fishing, sailing and windsurfing in Sharm el Sheikh.
Monastery of St. Macarius
In the village of Wadi el-Natrun, lies the Monastery of St. Macarius. It is a very important religious center for Coptic Christians. The village of Wadi el-Natrunis situated almost halfway between Cairo and Alexandria. The monastery was established in the year 360 AD by St. Macarius the Great.
Conheça as melhores atrações em uma viagem para o Egito
Os mistérios das civilizações mais antigas da humanidade ainda despertam o fascínio dos viajantes, por isso o Egito é um dos países mais visitados por quem busca conhecer a história da humanidade, a evolução das civilizações, etc. No imaginário popular o país é sinônimo de pirâmides, faraós, múmias e muito deserto. Porém as belezas do Egito vão muito além disso e, por isso, preparamos esse artigo com as melhores atrações do país para tornar ainda mais inesquecível a sua Viagem para o Egito porque há muito a se ver e descobrir além daquilo que te contaram ou que você só imagina. Desde as margens do caudaloso e famoso rio Nilo até a imensidão dos desertos no Mar Vermelho o país tem cenários espetaculares que merecem a atenção dos seus visitantes.
Vamos então destacar logo abaixo as atrações imperdíveis para você já anotar no seu caderninho!
Abu Simbel
Esse é o templo construído por Ramsés II – o faraó mais poderoso na época do Egito Antigo. Diferentemente dos outros templos presentes no país, que foram construídos em honra a um deus, esse foi erguido apenas para mostrar força e poder aos inimigos de Ramsés II. E até hoje o templo continua impressionando a todos com a sua beleza indescritível e as imponentes estátuas de Ramsés, quatro no total.
Para chegar até esse templo, um dos mais incríveis do Egito, é necessário sair de Aswan por terra ou por avião. A escolha depende do turista e em ambas é possível encontrar belezas durante o trajeto.
Passeio de Fellucca pelo Rio Nilo
O rio Nilo é um dos grandes cartões postais do país e, como tal, precisa ser apreciado com todo o respeito e admiração. Existem, por isso, vários passeios como cruzeiro pelo rio ou apenas uma voltinha na fellucca – um veleiro próprio dos egípcios. A nossa dica, caso queira conhecer de fato a história e fazer uma imersão na cultura local é, claro, a fellucca. Isso porque ela era o principal meio de transporte dos egípcios mais antigos uma vez que o vento é bastante forte e eram necessários vários esforços na vela para conseguir alcançar o destino. Hoje em dia esse é um passeio calmo e bastante bonito já que é possível admirar toda a beleza enquanto o barco segue a corrente das águas.
Biblioteca Alexandrina
Essa é uma das jóias da arquitetura que embelezam a paisagem da Alexandria hoje em dia. Foi uma construção feita em parceria com o governo local e a UNESCO, no ano de 2002, com a principal intenção de ser um centro de conhecimento do mundo.
O projeto é da autoria de arquitetos noruegueses que conseguiram reunir, com maestria, a biblioteca com museu, planetário, laboratórios, salas de aula e mais de 200 salas de pesquisa. O grande destaque são as obras do acervo digital com peças raras, manuscritos e publicações não divulgadas em nenhum outro local.
The Great Sand Sea
Esse é, sem dúvidas, um dos lugares mais extraordinários do país. É onde você para e pensa como é perfeita e grandiosa as obras da mãe natureza.
Se você fica chocado com tamanha perfeição ao ver fotos na internet das dunas de areia e os desertos do Egito então se prepare para ficar sem fôlego quando puder ver tudo isso pessoalmente. Dunas de areias finíssimas escondem lagos termais decorados com palmeiras milimetricamente colocadas no chão, uma verdadeira obra de arte que deixa qualquer pessoa de boca aberta.
Múmias, Museus e Templos
É claro que os seus passeios devem abranger a passagem em templos e museus para apreciação das múmias e também da característica mais forte dos egípcios, a religião. Ir ao Egito e não ver múmias, museus e templos é como ir a Disney e não ver o Mickey, simplesmente impossível.
Existem estabelecimentos como esses espalhados por todo o país mas ressaltamos que as múmias em melhor estado de conservação se encontram, atualmente, no Museu do Cairo. Lá você terá a oportunidade de chegar bem próximo aos restos de faraós conhecidos na história da humanidade como Ramsés II, Hatsepshut entre vários outros.
Vale lembrar que essas foram apenas algumas dicas de atrações do Egito. O país é bastante grande e tem outras infinitas atrações a serem visitadas. A nossa dica é que você planeje bem a sua viagem, pesquise previamente sobre os roteiros que deseja e se divirta nessa experiência inesquecível.
Visit the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
Those with a passion for pyramids should also make sure to visit the Pyramid of Djoser, located just south of Cairo at Saqqara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis. The pyramid was built in the 27th century BC, using a unique stepped style that pre-dates the smooth-sided pyramids at Giza. It is the oldest stone-cut monument in the world. The best way to visit Saqqara is on a day tour from Cairo.
