Do You See Pyramids on a Nile Cruise?

By Robert Palmer

If you are planning a Nile cruise, you might be wondering if you will see any pyramids along the way. The answer is yes, but it depends on the route of your cruise.

The Giza Pyramids

The most famous pyramids in Egypt are located in Giza, near Cairo. While the Nile does not run through Cairo, many Nile cruises include a stop in the city to visit the pyramids. If your cruise includes a stop in Cairo, you will have the opportunity to see these iconic structures up close.

Pyramid of Khufu

The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest and oldest of the three pyramids in Giza. It is also known as the Great Pyramid and was built over 4,500 years ago. It held the record as the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

Pyramid of Khafre

The Pyramid of Khafre is slightly smaller than the Pyramid of Khufu but appears taller because it was built on higher ground. It is also known as the Pyramid of Chephren and is believed to have been built around 2,500 BC.

Pyramid of Menkaure

The smallest pyramid in Giza belongs to Menkaure, who was Khafre’s son. It stands at just over 200 feet tall and was constructed around 2,500 BC.

The Bent Pyramid

Located about 25 miles south of Cairo is another pyramid that many Nile cruises pass by – The Bent Pyramid. It gets its name from its unusual shape – it starts off steep at the bottom and then abruptly changes angle about halfway up.

The Red Pyramid

Also located south of Cairo, The Red Pyramid is one of three pyramids in the Dahshur necropolis. It was built by Pharaoh Sneferu and is thought to be one of the first successful attempts at constructing a true pyramid. It gets its name from the reddish limestone that was used in its construction.

Conclusion

So, to answer the question – yes, you can see pyramids on a Nile cruise. Whether you will see them depends on your itinerary, but many cruises include a stop in Cairo where you can visit the Giza pyramids.

If you are interested in seeing more pyramids, there are other options further south along the Nile. Regardless of which pyramids you see, they are sure to leave an impression and give you a glimpse into Egypt’s ancient past.