Day Trips From Cairo: Dahshour

Just an hour drive from Downtown Cairo, Dahshour is a must on your trip to Egypt – but there’s a lot more to see and do here than pyramid gazing.

Luckily, Dahshour is close enough to Downtown Cairo that no special travel arrangements need to be made. Stop a taxi (make sure the meter is running before you commit to a ride), or enter the destination into any of the well-known ride-sharing apps, and you shouldn’t have any problem. If you prefer a guided tour, your hotel or hostel should be able to recommend a number of guides and agencies that will include transportation in the total cost. Otherwise, a quick web search will reveal lots of packages you can book online.

Between lush agricultural land served by a network of streams and dazzling desert landscapes, it’s perhaps no surprise that this area was part of Ancient Egypt’s capital, Memphis. In fact, archaeologists and historians continue to unearth more of the ancient site and learn more about the area and the way of life during excavations. Today, farming continues to be the most popular profession in the area, and you’ll feel a fresh breeze as soon as you escape the noise and pollution of the city on your way here. Unfortunately, the rural community doesn’t offer food and beverage options, bar a few local coffeeshops – so pack a lunch, or make plans to visit one of the many traditional restaurants in neighbouring Giza or Sakkara.

Constructed sometime between 2613 BCE and 2589 BCE, the iconic Bent Pyramid of Dahshour marks the Pharaohs’ first foray away from the stepped-pyramids (seen in the neighbouring Sakkara) and towards the smooth-edged constructions that the world would later see executed perfectly at the Great Pyramids of Giza. Though the mathematics of this structure would ultimately be proven erroneous, this trial is nonetheless a feat in engineering.

Following the aforementioned construction errors seen in the Bent Pyramid, then-King Sneferu ordered another trial – this time, considered successful; it is suspected (though not confirmed) to be the burial site of the ancient ruler. Made of a unique red-tinted limestone, the 105-metre-tall (345-foot) red pyramid is one of few in Egypt that you can actually enter. Inside, you’ll find two chambers and, though they are largely empty and devoid of decoration, the energy in the pyramid’s ancient core is said to be felt by many travellers.

Across the whole area, you’ll find tour guides offering horse and camel rides around Dahshour for a novel way to see the sights. Agree your price before you hop aboard your chosen mammal and do take care to choose the guides that appear to treat their animals with care.

This gorgeous, lush green area, known locally as Berket Dahshour, has been a wildlife-laden escape since ancient times. Visit in spring or autumn when the marshlands turn into lakes, and more than 30 species of birds, 40 types of mammals and scores of amphibians can be spotted there. Pack your picnic and binoculars for this one-of-a-kind experience.