DASHUR & AL FAYOUM
We spent the third morning of the tour visiting various pyramids and sites around Dashur. We had a late lunch at a resort in the oasis of Al Fayoum before heading back to Cairo. I have mixed feelings about Al Fayoum......on one hand it was a bit boring since there wasnt a whole lot to see or do.....on the other hand, considering that the first two days of the tour had been rather hectic, this was a good time to relax for a couple of hours in a cool and calm environment.
The Red Pyramid (because of red graffiti) is the oldest true pyramid. The entrance to the pyramid is about 75 feet above the ground which leads to a 200-foot long passage to two chambers with 50-foot high ceilings.
The Pyramid at Meidum. All you see today is the core of the pyramid. The outer casing or cover was destroyed either due to an error in design and construction, or a natural catastrophy such as an earthquake.
A hazy, distant view of the Bent Pyramid at Dashur. The lower portion of the pyramid was constructed at a relatively steep angle (just under 45 degrees) while the upper part is just over 50 degrees. The designer may have discovered a flaw during construction, or the King may have ordered an earlier completion date. The pyramid is on a military reservation and we were not allowed to get any closer than this.