The Pyramids of Giza are a miracle in the history of human architecture. It is generally believed that the pyramid is the tomb of the ancient Egyptian emperor, but it is completely different from the dazzling gold in the tomb of Tutankhamun. King's Chamber and granite sarcophagus inside the Pyramid of Giza are waiting for your exploration. The super difficulty of architecture, coupled with the "coincidence" of various numbers makes it full of mystery. Visitors here are to appreciate its grandeur. As for puzzles, leave them to specialists and scholars. If you want to go inside the Pyramids of Giza, let's learn about the following things.
Pyramids of Giza
Can Visitors Go Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Yes. Among the Egyptian Pyramids of Giza, the Pyramid of Khufu allows tourists to visit the inside, and the only passageway is from the Grand Gallery to the King's Chamber.
Does it Cost Extra to Go Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Yes. The ticket to go inside the pyramid is not included in the ticket for the Giza Scenic Area, so you should purchase the inside ticket separately. If you want to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu, you have to pay EGP 440(about US$14.00). If you need to go inside the Pyramids of Khafre or Menkaure, you have to pay EGP 100 (about US$3.3).
(Note: The maintenance of the Pyramid of Khafre from 12 July 2023 is still in progress (October 2023). Meanwhile, the interiors of Khufu's and Menkaure's Pyramids will remain open to visitors.)
Go Inside the Pyramids of Giza
What's Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
The Pyramid of Khufu is the tallest and largest one in Egypt, equivalent to a height of 40 floors. Therefore, many people imagine that the inside pyramid must be very spacious, but that is not the case. The pyramid is a piece of similar-size stone piled. For stability, it is obviously difficult to leave too much space inside. At least for now, the inside is not spacious.
The entrance to the pyramid has become larger by excavation, and cement steps and iron guardrails have been set up. Going inside the ascending passage becomes narrower and narrower, even though many segments are less than 1.5 meters in height and width.
In order to facilitate the passage of tourists, non-slip wooden boards, handrails, lighting lamps have been laid in the passage. In such a deep and narrow tunnel, visitors need to bend over and climb up all the time. Although it is a test for physical strength, meanwhile you can realize the difficulty of constructing such a hulking pyramid, making you marvel at the wisdom and superb technique of the ancient Egyptians.
About 20 minutes ahead of the passage, you can reach the permissible endpoint, that is, the King's Chamber. The last segment is the narrowest and lowest section of the passage, with a height and width of less than 1.2 meters, but the four sides are extremely smooth. The size of the passage may be designed according to the size of the sarcophagus.
It is said that the King's Chamber is located in the center of the Pyramid of Khufu, in which an empty sarcophagus is waiting to unravel the mystery. The joints of the wall, ground, and top were matched exactly, which does not look like an architecture built by the ancients more than 4,000 years ago, but built by modern people with various machines.
Guides for Visiting the Pyramid both Outside and Inside
Open Time:
8 AM - 5 PM
Ticket:
Outside: EGP 240 (about US$7.85) for adults, and EGP 120 (about US$3.93) for students
Inside:
- The Great Pyramid of Khufu: EGP 440 (about US$14.00)
- The Pyramid of Khafre: EGP 100 (about US$3.3)
- The Pyramid of Menkaure: EGP 100 (about US$3.3)
(Note: The maintenance of Khafre from 12 July 2023 is still ongoing (October 2023), while you can still enjoy the interiors of the other two pyramids.)
Hotel:
There are many hotels to choose from near the pyramids, from budget to luxury. If you want to see the pyramids closely indoors, we can arrange a suitable hotel for you (such as the Marriott Mena House Hotel), from which you can directly enjoy the magnificent pyramids from the windowsill or balcony, and appreciate an extremely spectacular sunset. Incredibly, you will find that the sun sets at the back center of the pyramid. In addition to the super sunset, you can also watch the light show in the evening for free (of course, it won't be the same as the scene you spend money to watch).
Giza Pyramids View from Hotel
Best Time to Visit the Pyramids:
Cairo has only two seasons: summer and autumn, and autumn is the best season for an Egypt trip. Cairo's autumn begins in October, so the best time to visit Cairo is from October to April of the next year, during which the temperature is the most pleasant, making exploring the busy streets of Cairo, visiting the Pyramids in the desert, and exploring ancient Pharaonic tombs more comfortable and enjoyable.
The summer in Cairo is hot and dry, and traveling outside may be grueling, but the high temperatures are alleviated by air conditioning, far fewer visitors, and lower prices, that is to say, summer is also a feasible season for your trip. Because of the large temperature difference between day and night in the desert, it is necessary to prepare both summer clothes and autumn clothes for your trip. November to February of the next year is the peak tourist season, so you'd better book a hotel and plan your trip in advance.
Notices:
- It is not allowed to take pictures during an inside visit, and the camera must be kept by the staff at the entrance.
- It is not allowed to wear inappropriate clothing to go inside the pyramid, such as slippers, shorts, skirts, sleeveless blouses, etc.
- Micro cameras are installed inside the pyramid, and graffito or damage is prohibited.
- The passage inside the pyramid is narrow and steep, with poorly ventilated, hot, and humid air, so the indisposed tourists are recommended to take their health as a priority when entering inside the pyramid.
- The sun is scorching during the day. It is recommended to wear long-sleeved trousers and breathable and wind-proof clothes, and use sunscreen with high SPF.
- Please resolutely say "NO" to the peddlers who use various tricks to sell goods at high prices, if you don't need to buy them.
- The locals may ask you to ride a camel or take group photos for any reason in the scenic area, all of which are charged.
What Can You See in the Giza Scenic Area at Night?
There is a light show in the Giza Scenic Area at night, which is a wonderful program that cannot be missed. With rocks as the curtain, the lights tell the ancient legends of Egypt. The images on the rock curtain include statues of God, murals, portraits of pharaohs and their wives, just like real people come into sight. With three pyramids in the distance as the background, the Sphinx is sometimes bright and sometimes dark under the flowing lights and changed colors.
Time: 20:30, 21:30, 22:30 in summer; 18:30, 19:30, 20:30 in winter
Interesting Facts About the Pyramids
1. The Reason that the Ancient Egyptians Built the Pyramids
The ancient Egyptians' devout belief in God made them form a deep-rooted "afterlife concept". They even believed that "life is just a short stay, and it is permanent enjoyment after death".
Therefore, the Egyptians regarded the heavenly life as the continuation of earthly life. Influenced by this concept, the ancient Egyptians prepared for the afterlife sincerely when they lived. Pharaohs wantonly built tombs for themselves when they lived, setting off a wind of building pyramids in ancient Egypt. Therefore, the ancient kingdom of Egypt is also known as the Pyramid Age.
2. All Egyptian Pyramids Were Built on the West Bank of the Nile
All the pyramids in ancient Egypt were built on the West Bank of the Nile, which has something to do with the ancient Egyptians' view of life and death. The West Bank of the Nile is where the sun sets, representing the end of earthly life and the start of heavenly life.
Sunset on the Nile
3. The Pyramids of GizaAre in the Urban Area of Cairo
In many tourist photos, the three pyramids of Giza are always located on the skyline of the desert, showing the mysterious style of ancient Egypt. So many people mistakenly believe that the three pyramids are in the middle of the desert, far away from the city. But in fact, they are right in front of Cairo's bustling urban area, just about 15km from the city center, facing heavy traffic.
4. The Pyramid of Giza Was Once the Tallest Architecture in the World
The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest pyramid in Egypt, with an original height of 146.5 meters and a current height of 138.8 meters. It was once the tallest man-made architecture in the world. This record had been maintained for 3,871 years, and it was not until the completion of Lincoln Cathedral in Britain that it broke this record.
5. Source of the Stones for Building Pyramids
The stones for building pyramids came from three places in Egypt. The stones used in the inside pyramid are collected from the sandstone in the desert near Giza; the limestones used in the outer frame are transported from the east bank of the Nile River; the granites used in the Grand Gallery and tombs came from Aswan 960 kilometers away. Every year when the Nile flooded, a huge flat-bottomed barge carrying stones would drift down the upstream of the Nile.
6. Special Mortar Helped the Pyramids Survive
There is an Arab proverb, which means "Man fears time, time fears the pyramids". Part of the reason the pyramids survived was the use of mortar. The analysis shows that a lot of strong mortar can be used to fix the stone in place. It is estimated that about 500,000 tons of mortar were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza alone.
7. The Pyramids Were Not Built by Slaves
It is a big misunderstanding that the pyramids were built by slaves. Modern archaeologists found the work records when studying the stone tablet hieroglyphs, and found the contracts engraved with the guarantee for food in the tomb, all of which can prove the existence of employment relations.
According to research, the Great Pyramid of Giza was built by 5,000 permanent employees and 20,000 casual workers. Many of the workers who died during the construction of the pyramids were buried in cemeteries near the pyramids.
8. Khufu Ship Demonstrated the Superior Technology of Ancient Egyptians
The most famous intact ancient Egyptian ship is the 44-meter-long "Khufu ship", found in the Great Pyramid of Giza. It can be seen that the ancient Egyptians mastered shipbuilding technology thousands of years ago. They sailed on the Nile and took boats for maritime trade with neighboring countries. The earliest boat was a wooden boat, but later it developed into a unique barge and transport ship. The ancient Egyptians skillfully used wooden nails and tenons for connection, which showed their mastery of carpentry.
9. Not All the Dead Were Mummified
Archaeologists pointed out that mummifying the dead in ancient Egypt required a long, difficult, and expensive process. Generally speaking, only the privileged class could afford it. Most dead were just buried in the desert. Interestingly, the hot and dry desert is more antiseptic than the sarcophagus in the tomb.
10. Egypt is Not the Only Country with Pyramids
About 140 pyramids have been found in the ancient Egyptian areas, of which the three pyramids in Giza are the most famous. However, there are pyramids in many parts of the world. Egypt is not the country with the largest number of pyramids. In the desert more than 240 kilometers away from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, there is a pyramid complex with 220 pyramids, which is more than the number of pyramids in Egypt.
Explore the Mystery Pyramid with Odynovo
For anyone who is willing to explore more of the Egyptian pyramids, going inside the Great Pyramid of Giza is no doubt an essential experience. With a tailor-made trip, you can enjoy the journey at your own pace as everything is well taken care of.
The Pyramids of Giza are indeed a marvel in the history of human architecture. They are generally believed to be the tombs of ancient Egyptian emperors. However, they are quite different from the dazzling gold found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The King's Chamber and granite sarcophagus inside the Pyramid of Giza are waiting to be explored. The pyramids are known for their super difficulty in construction and the "coincidence" of various numbers, which adds to their mystery. Visitors come to appreciate the grandeur of the pyramids, leaving the puzzles to specialists and scholars.
Can Visitors Go Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Yes, visitors can go inside the Pyramids of Giza. Among the Egyptian pyramids, the Pyramid of Khufu allows tourists to visit the inside. The only passageway to enter is from the Grand Gallery to the King's Chamber.
Does it Cost Extra to Go Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Yes, it does cost extra to go inside the pyramids. The ticket to enter the pyramid is not included in the ticket for the Giza Scenic Area, so visitors need to purchase a separate ticket for the inside. The cost to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu is EGP 440 (about US$14.00), while the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure require a payment of EGP 100 (about US$3.3).
What's Inside the Pyramids of Giza?
Contrary to what many people imagine, the inside of the Pyramid of Khufu is not very spacious. The pyramid is made up of similarly-sized stones piled on top of each other, which limits the amount of space inside for stability reasons. The entrance to the pyramid has been enlarged by excavation, and there are cement steps and iron guardrails in place. However, as visitors progress through the ascending passage, it becomes narrower and narrower, with many segments less than 1.5 meters in height and width. Non-slip wooden boards, handrails, and lighting lamps have been installed to facilitate the passage of tourists. Visitors need to bend over and climb up continuously in the deep and narrow tunnel. This experience not only tests physical strength but also allows visitors to appreciate the difficulty of constructing such a massive pyramid and marvel at the wisdom and superb techniques of the ancient Egyptians. After about 20 minutes, visitors reach the King's Chamber, which is the permissible endpoint. The last segment of the passage is the narrowest and lowest, with a height and width of less than 1.2 meters. The walls, ground, and top of the chamber are precisely matched, which is a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship of the ancient Egyptians. The King's Chamber is said to be located in the center of the Pyramid of Khufu, and it contains an empty sarcophagus that adds to the mystery of the pyramid.
Best Time to Visit the Pyramids of Giza
Cairo, where the Pyramids of Giza are located, has two seasons: summer and autumn. The best time to visit Cairo and explore the pyramids is during the autumn season, which starts in October and lasts until April of the following year. During this time, the temperature is most pleasant, making it comfortable to explore the busy streets of Cairo, visit the pyramids in the desert, and explore ancient Pharaonic tombs. However, summer is also a feasible season for a trip to Cairo, despite the hot and dry weather. The high temperatures are alleviated by air conditioning, and there are fewer visitors and lower prices. It is important to note that there is a large temperature difference between day and night in the desert, so it is advisable to pack both summer and autumn clothes. November to February is the peak tourist season, so it is recommended to book a hotel and plan the trip in advance .
Interesting Facts About the Pyramids
- The Reason that the Ancient Egyptians Built the Pyramids: The ancient Egyptians had a deep-rooted belief in the afterlife. They believed that life is just a short stay and that permanent enjoyment comes after death. This belief led them to prepare for the afterlife by building tombs for themselves. The wind of building pyramids in ancient Egypt was set off by the pharaohs, and this period is known as the Pyramid Age.
- All Egyptian Pyramids Were Built on the West Bank of the Nile: The location of the pyramids on the West Bank of the Nile is related to the ancient Egyptians' view of life and death. The West Bank of the Nile represents the end of earthly life and the beginning of heavenly life, as it is where the sun sets.
- The Pyramids of Giza Are in the Urban Area of Cairo: Contrary to popular belief, the Pyramids of Giza are not located in the middle of the desert but rather in front of Cairo's bustling urban area. They are approximately 15 kilometers from the city center and face heavy traffic.
- The Pyramid of Giza Was Once the Tallest Architecture in the World: The Pyramid of Khufu, the largest pyramid in Egypt, held the record for being the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,871 years. It was only surpassed by the completion of Lincoln Cathedral in Britain.
- Source of the Stones for Building Pyramids: The stones used to build the pyramids came from different places in Egypt. The sandstone used in the inside of the pyramid was collected from the desert near Giza. The limestone used in the outer frame was transported from the east bank of the Nile River. The granite used in the Grand Gallery and tombs came from Aswan, which is approximately 960 kilometers away. The stones were transported on flat-bottomed barges during the annual flooding of the Nile.
- Special Mortar Helped the Pyramids Survive: The pyramids have survived for thousands of years, in part due to the use of strong mortar. It is estimated that about 500,000 tons of mortar were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza alone.
- The Pyramids Were Not Built by Slaves: Contrary to popular belief, the pyramids were not built by slaves. Modern archaeologists have found work records and contracts engraved with guarantees for food, which prove the existence of employment relations. The Great Pyramid of Giza was built by 5,000 permanent employees and 20,000 casual workers. Many of the workers who died during the construction of the pyramids were buried in cemeteries near the pyramids.
- Khufu Ship Demonstrated the Superior Technology of Ancient Egyptians: The Khufu ship, a 44-meter-long ancient Egyptian ship, was found near the Great Pyramid of Giza. It showcases the shipbuilding technology mastered by the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. The ancient Egyptians used wooden nails and tenons for connection, demonstrating their mastery of carpentry.
- Not All the Dead Were Mummified: Mummification in ancient Egypt was a long, difficult, and expensive process. Generally, only the privileged class could afford it. Most of the dead were simply buried in the desert, which, interestingly, is more antiseptic than the sarcophagus in the tomb.
- Egypt is Not the Only Country with Pyramids: While Egypt is famous for its pyramids, it is not the country with the largest number of pyramids. Sudan, located more than 240 kilometers away from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has a pyramid complex with 220 pyramids, surpassing the number of pyramids in Egypt.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts mentioned in the article about the Pyramids of Giza. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
