Part V - Egypt: Dahshur & The Great Pyramids of Giza

Day 4

We started our return drive from Siwa around 06h00 AM with an aim to reach Cairo around 16h00. We witnessed a gorgeous sunrise along the route. We then stopped for lunch at the coastal town of Matrouh situated along the Mediterranean. I devoured some falafels and a houmous sandwich

The rest of the day was spent in driving to Cairo . It was time to bid goodbye to Walid as he dropped me off at my hotel in the downtown . I spent the evening just relaxing after the long and tiring journey.

Morning sunrise

Mediterranean Sea near Matrouh

Day 5

Dahshur Pyramids

With my flight back to Paris at 5 PM, I only had until 2 PM to explore the remaining pyramids of Cairo (Dahshur & Giza) since it was highly recommended to reach the airport atleast 3 hours prior departure. But Walid assured me that it was all doable provided we started the day early. Mohammad would be my guide again for this challenging day and I knew I was in good hands

We started off the day early and reached Dahshur at 08h30. We were among the first tourists to arrive with almost no one else in sight apart from a few chinese tourists. Since this group was heading to the Red pyramid, Mohmmad recommended that we go to the Bent pyramid so that I can explore it all alone as usual with no disturbance. I was lucky to have had the whole structure all to myself and I circumvented it at my own pace.

Built around 2600 BCE in Dahshur, the Bent Pyramid was constructed by Pharaoh Sneferu, founder of Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty. It marks a crucial step in the evolution of pyramid design. Initially planned with a steep 54-degree angle, structural instability forced architects to change it to 43 degrees mid-construction, resulting in its unique "bent" shape. Despite its flaws, the pyramid is significant for being one of the first to feature smooth outer casing stones, many of which remain intact

After spending some quality time here, we noticed that the Chinese group had left the Red pyramid which meant I had the opportunity to explore the red pyramid all alone as well since there were no other tourists yet. I didn't miss the chane ofcourse.

The Red Pyramid, was also built by Pharaoh Sneferu around 2600 BCE. It is named for the reddish hue of its limestone core and is considered the first true pyramid with smooth sides. Following the lessons learned from mistakes made in the Bent Pyramid, it was constructed with a stable angle of 43 degrees, standing 104 meters tall. It marked a pivotal achievement, setting the standard for later pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The Bent Pyramid

The Red Pyramid

The Narrow dark passage into the Red Pyramid

Tomb inside the Pyramid

The Great Pyramids of Giza – The last remaining ancient wonder of the world

The saying "reserve the best for the last" couldn’t ring truer than with the Pyramids of Giza. Seeing these colossal structures up close left me in awe—my mouth literally wide open. Though I had seen them countless times in documentaries and Hollywood movies, nothing compares to their physical presence.

Built over 4,500 years ago during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, the pyramids served as grand tombs for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the largest, is a marvel of ancient engineering. Its geometric precision is astonishing—the height-to-base ratio mirrors pi (π), and some theories suggest its dimensions relate to the distance between Earth and the Sun. Their alignment with the cardinal points also demonstrates incredible astronomical understanding.

Camels with the Giza Pyramids in the background

Me on a camel with the Giza Pyramids in the background

The Great Sphinx