If Egypt is where you are heading for
gap year travel, a visit to the pyramids will surely be on your agenda.
But you can be assured that hawkers and peddlers, who have grown notorious for hassling tourists to buy their goods, will not be able to harass you.
This is because a 12-mile fence has been erected by Egyptian authorities around the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx to keep out peddlers from trying to get visitors to buy everything from souvenirs to trinkets to T-shirts.
"It was a zoo," said Zahi Hawass, Egypt's chief archaeologist.
"Now we are protecting both the tourists and the ancient monuments."
While previously just a low stone wall protected pyramids, the new 13 foot-high barrier is complete with alarms, sensors and CCTV cameras.
Soon, a new lighting system, a cafeteria, a visitors center and a bookshop will be added – all part of a $26 million program to improve the site.
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