Earth > The Pyramids, Egypt
BBC 50 Things To Do
Before You Die
BBC 50 Places To See
Before You Die
Visit Luxor
Cosmos Tourama offer an eight day River Nile cruise which provides a perfect introduction to all that Ancient Egypt has to offer. Marvel at the ancient, sun-baked wonders of Luxor and Aswan before experiencing the treasures of Cairo and the spectacular pyramids at Giza.
Another recommended company offering Nile cruises is Kuoni where you can choose to sail on a luxury cruise ship or a more intimate beautifully-crafted boat.
If you are looking for a flight and hotel package deal to Cairo or simply a hotel in Cairo, look no further than Sunshine for unbeatable prices.
Hotels are also available in Giza itself via Sunshine - including hotel rooms with views of the pyramids themselves!
Sunshine also offer hotels and flights to Luxor, the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, and a city described as the "world's greatest open air museum".
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Ride a camel to the pyramids of Egypt
Of the Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World, only one survives intact to this day. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest and largest of three pyramids that are found on the outskirts of Cairo together with that other iconic image of Ancient Egyptian civilisation, The Sphinx.
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Have you ever been to see the pyramids in Egypt? If so we would love to hear all about your experiences (perhaps with a photo or two). You can contact us via our contact page.
Do Something Different Before You Die
Take A Hot Air Balloon Flight Over The Valley Of the Kings!
From one of the most spectacular hot air balloon launch sites in the world, enjoy breathtaking views of the mighty River Nile and the Valley of the Kings as you calmly float over the serene Egyptian desert. more
Go Quad Biking In The Sinai Desert!
Enjoy a thrilling quad bike adventure across the hauntingly beautiful Sinai Desert culminating in the chance to experience the sun setting over this stunning landscape. more
Essential Further Reading
Egypt
Lonely Planet Guide
Price: £15.99
In the 5th century BC Herodotus wrote of Egypt that "nowhere are there so many marvellous things - nor in the world besides are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness" - and not too much has changed. The voracious energy of Cairo, the grandeur of Luxor's monuments, the laid-back vibe of Dahab and the remote beauty of the Western Desert oases: Lonely Planet's bestselling guide to Egypt packs in more treasures than Tutankhamun's tomb.
More information
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The Great Pyramid of Giza is the main part of a complex of buildings build in honour of Khufu, a Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's Old Kingdom. Hence it is sometimes called Khufu's Pyramid or the Pyramid of Khufu.
A few hundred metres south-west of the Great Pyramid lies the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafre, one of Khufu's successors who is also commonly considered the builder of the Great Sphinx which is also found nearby on the Giza Plateau. And a few hundred metres further to the south-west is the Pyramid of Menkaure, Khafre's successor, which is about half as tall.
Reaching the pyramids from Cairo is easy. Indeed Cairo's expansion in recent years has brought it literally to the doorstep of these ancient wonders. It surprises many people just how close the urban sprawl is to them. Opposite the main ticket gates you'll even find the likes of Pizza Hut and KFC!
An air-conditioned Cairo Transport Authority coach runs from the centre of Cairo to the Giza Pyramids via The Egyptian Museum (another must visit) on a regular basis. You can also take a taxi (choose a yellow one if you want to avoid haggling and unwanted detours to shops) or ride a camel if you really want to get into the swing of things.
You pay to enter the site at Giza and then pay again to enter the pyramids, with the Great Pyramid costing the most. The interior of the pyramids is hot, humid and can be claustrophobic, but since you've come all this way it would be a shame to only marvel at them from the outside.
Although once a popular tourist activity, it is now officially forbidden and extremely dangerous to climb any of the Pyramids.
In the evenings throughout the year there is a Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a dazzling laser display that picks out the details of the Pyramids and displays historical scenes on the side of the Great Pyramid itself. Thee are a number of sessions in different language so make sure you turn up for one in English. From April to September, the show starts at 8.30pm and from October to March it starts at 6.30pm.
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