The Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and other smaller temples, tombs and edifices are also situated in the same area. Many people believe that all the three pyramids are on the list which includes the wonders of the Ancient World, but it’s not true. Only the Pyramid of Khufu can be found on this list.

Also called the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Pyramid of Cheops, this is the largest pyramid in the world. The Pyramid of Khufu was considered the tallest man-made structure in the world for almost 43 centuries.

According to Herod, the pyramid was built over a 20-year period by almost 100.000 people. The building method still arises many questions and it is still shrouded in mystery. Even if the origin and the purpose of the pyramid are other two aspects that haven’t been clarified yet, the most known theory says that it was built around 2560 BC by the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, in order to serve as his tomb.

Covered by casing stones, the Pyramid of Khufu consists of more than 2,3 million limestone blocks. The inside of the pyramid is divided into several chambers and only a few of them haven’t been explored yet.

Leaving aside all these interesting aspects, the Pyramid of Khufu is indeed the most impressive and imposing of all the other pyramids situated on the Giza Plateau.

Remember that the future belongs to the curious and stay close for the next “Did you know that?”

The post 1. Did you know these facts about the Pyramid of Khufu? appeared first on HikerTips.

There are many fascinating countries in the world, but if I had to choose one, I would definitely choose Egypt.

Why is Egypt one of my favorite countries? There are a lot of reasons why I feel this way, but I will only share a few of them. Egypt is the first non-European country that I have ever visited and it also hosts some of the most famous places in the world. This country gave me the chance to explore the world of ancient civilizations with their temples, monuments, legends, symbols, mummies and hieroglyphs and also the world of pharaohs. If I had to think about all the things you could do there, I would really have to make a long list.

I could write pages and pages about Egypt’s overwhelming beauty, impressive sights and about its fabulous history, but I am sure that the following lovely pictures will speak for themselves.

The post Egypt in pictures appeared first on HikerTips.

You should know that the pyramids of Giza are not the only pyramids in Egypt, but they are definitely the most famous ones. It is said that they were built in the heyday between 3000 B.C and 2000 B.C, when Egypt was one of the richest and the most powerful civilizations in the world. The pyramids of Giza are situated at the edge of the Sahara Desert on the west bank of the River Nile, at about 18 kilometers from Cairo.

They were built from large blocks of limestone with great accuracy and precision. The building method is still shrouded in mystery because it is considered to be a very complex one, requiring profound knowledge of science, mathematics and even astronomy. The Orion correlation theory claims that there is a correlation between the location of the pyramids and Orion’s Belt of the constellation Orion. The theory also claims that this correlation was intended by the builders of the pyramids.

The legend of these pyramids is even more interesting because it is believed that they were actually built to serve as royal tombs. The Ancient Egyptians considered the pyramids the perfect place from where the kings’ souls could ascend to heaven and join the gods. The most important Egyptian god was Ra, the god of the sun and this is the reason why the design of the pyramids symbolizes the rays of the sun.

The Egyptian mythology claims that a part of the king’s spirit remained with the corpse. This is the reason why the corpses were mummified and a part of the king’s personal things were buried with him. You should know that the pyramids of Giza are not the oldest ones. The first pyramid and the oldest one is the Step Pyramid of Djoser which was built by an architect, called Imhotep.

He used six mastabas of different sizes to build the pyramid and he placed them one over the other. Mastabas are actually the precursors of the pyramid and they look like shaped mounds with flat roofs. As I have already told you, even if the pyramids of Giza are not the oldest, they are the most famous and fascinating. The most outstanding is the Great Pyramid of Khufu which is actually the largest pyramid in the world. The pyramid of Khufu is the only wonder of the Ancient World that still exists today.

The impressive image of the Giza Plateau is completed by another two important pyramids, the pyramid of Khafre and the pyramid of Menkaure and also by some smaller temples, tombs and edifices called the Queen’s Pyramids. The greatness of this place is highlighted by the spectacular Sphinx which is a massive statue of a lion with a human head carved in limestone. The Giza Plateau perfectly portrays the glorious past of Egypt.

The beauty and the historical significance of this place are overwhelming. You cannot say that you have visited Egypt without seeing the pyramids of Giza, because they are the iconic image of the country. It is definitely true that Egypt has a lot of fascinating places you can choose from, but the pyramids are definitely a must-see.

The post The Egyptian Pyramids,one of the most fascinating places in the world appeared first on HikerTips.

This fascinating country displays some of the world’s most famous places whose beauty is given by a unique and impressive architecture, which hides the fabulous history of the ancient civilizations. If you have never thought of visiting Egypt, I advise you to do it because once you go there you will discover a lot of reasons which will make you fall in love with this country.

It will be an amazing experience to explore the ancient Egyptian civilizations and discover the greatness of its temples, monuments and traditional settlements. You will definitely enjoy your stay there, because you will have the chance to experience a journey into the world of legends, symbols, hieroglyphs, mummies and pharaohs. This country is defined by strong contrasts which are really fascinating. You will be impressed by the contrast between wealth and poverty, opulence and misery, sensibility and rigidity. I could say that Egypt is one of my favorite countries and I will share with you the reasons why I feel this way:

1. Releasing an intense energy, the Giza Plateau is definitely the iconic image of Egypt. The most popular tourist attraction in Egypt, the Giza Plateau, displays the spectacular pyramids and the Great Sphinx in perfect harmony. The greatness of these masterpieces is given by an authentic architecture shrouded in mystery. This overwhelming view is outlined by the image of the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure and it is completed by the imposing presence of the Great Sphinx.

2. The Valley of the Kings is another stunning place, which hides 63 royal tombs built in rock and embellished with symbols from the Egyptian mythology. It will be a fascinating experience to explore the tombs of the pharaohs and discover the mystery of a bygone era. You will have the chance to admire a series of legendary tombs such as: the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Tomb of Hatshepsut, the Tomb of Ramses II, the Tomb of Tuthmosis I and many others.

3. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is definitely a place you should not miss. This complex of 107 rooms exhibits an impressive collection of Egyptian antiquities. It is an amazing experience and a great opportunity to admire all those priceless objects and understand their history. The Egyptian Museum is an authentic treasure of Egypt. Take your time and visit each gallery and discover the beauty of those spectacular collections. An interesting thing that will complete your visit to this museum is the famous Mummies’ Room which will definitely fascinate you.

4. The Temple of Karnak is a magnificent complex of temples in Luxor, whose greatness is given by the combination between a perfect architecture and a fabulous design. Dedicated to Pharaoh Amun, this impressive place hides the history of the ancient civilizations shrouded in mystery. The most imposing monuments are: the Temple of Amun, the Obelisk of Tuthmosis I and the Avenue of the Sphinxes. Walking among these well preserved monuments will make you feel a sort of astonishment.

5. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is an imposing edifice surrounded by rocks which seem to guard the spectacular temple, built on three levels. The architecture and the interior design of this temple, embellished with Egyptian symbols, are incredibly beautiful. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut displays important moments of her reign.

6. The Colossi of Memnon is an amazing mortuary temple whose beauty is given by the two massive stone statues. These imposing guards which are about 20 meters high, represent the image of Pharaoh Amenhotep III sitting on the throne and wearing the royal Egyptian symbols.

7. A cruise on the River Nile is an unforgettable experience. The Nile is the silent witness of the Egyptian history which hides great mysteries. This is an opportunity to admire wonderful landscapes and settlements.

8. The Red Sea is definitely a stunning sea with crystal blue waters and beautiful beaches with shiny fine sand. You will be delighted by the beauty of the beaches and the variety of beachside activities such as: swimming among dolphins, diving, snorkeling or just admiring the marine life and the coral reefs from a glass bottom boat.

9. Desert Safari is a fabulous experience because it gives you the chance to experience a few interesting things. This is actually an organized tour which gives you the opportunity to explore the desert in an off-road car, to visit a Bedouin village and to ride a camel.

10. Egyptian shows are unique because they combine traditional dances with a series of beautiful Egyptian symbols and decorations. The setting is special and it will make you feel and understand the Egyptian atmosphere and lifestyle. You will be impressed by the Egyptian joy and hospitality.

Egypt is definitely one of the most fascinating countries in the world, maybe the most fascinating one due to its overwhelming beauty.

The post 10 fascinating things about Egypt appeared first on HikerTips.