You will be greeted and taken to the Meidum Pyramid when you arrive. Huni, the last pharaoh of the Third Dynasty, had his funerary complex built at Meidum, 80 km south of Cairo. It is to this pharaoh that the last and largest of the step pyramids, which today stands out from a hill of rubble and sand, must be attributed.
The pyramid underwent several stages of construction: the first provided it with seven tiers, made entirely of fine limestone blocks; then the base of the pyramid was widened by about ten meters, each tier was raised by a few meters, and an eighth tier was then perhaps added to the top of the pyramid, which would then have reached 82 meters in height.
The third state of the pyramid is not attributable to Huni but to Snefru, his successor: the latter transformed the step pyramid into a true pyramid with smooth faces.
After that, you will be taken to the Dahshur region to view the South and Bent Pyramids. Given that he ordered the construction of a second pyramid that was to be far larger than the first, Snefru must not have been happy with the pyramid of Meidum.
Work began, and the pyramid was erected at a steep 54° angle. At 49 meters above the ground, the engineers knew something was off. The pyramid's mass would not be supported by the soft ground made of clay and sand, which was already beginning to sink.
Due to its peculiar design, the Angular Pyramid—also referred to as the Bent Pyramid in other contexts—is the first to be discussed. It is a transitional pyramid between the Saqqara and Giza pyramids, signifying the unidentified builder's pursuit of perfection. It has collapsed in places. Its dimensions are approximately 189 m x 123 m at the base, while its height is 104 m. Discover more with our flights from Cairo Airport.
After exploring Dahshur, you will be transferred to a local restaurant for lunch, and then we will end our tour with a Nile cruise. A great open-air, timeless journey to capture the soul of the Nile. After that, you will be driven back to Cairo International Airport.