Inside the Great Pyramid - Living My Bucket List King Khufu’s burial chamber

We both agreed to pay the additional 300 LE ($24 CAD) for a chance to see inside King Khufu’s burial chamber. This chamber was built closer to the top instead of underneath it, because this Pharaoh believed himself to be a God, and felt being closer to the stars was more fitting.

We walked up the steps etched into the pyramid to get to the entrance. It was an amazing feeling to realize that I was able to touch this ancient wonder and to actually venture inside of it. We had to hand over our camera’s before entering but our guide snapped a shot of us going in and patiently waited for our return. I was thrilled by the prospect of experiencing this piece of history from a different angle, but this excitement was quickly depleted.

Why this was a Bad Idea

The tunnel leading to the burial chamber was narrow and low. You had to stay hunched over as you made the climb to the next platform. Once there you are finally able to stand, but the air was stale and limited. We were both out of breath after making the climb and disappointed to learn that we were only half way to the top.

At the top, there is a separate room to enter, which is the burial chamber. We where both too exhausted to explore this chamber and agreed to make our way back out. By this time, more people were piling in and it was getting awfully crowded.

The second section, where you could stand had a separate path to exit, but the first tunnel section was small and hard to fit two people side by side. More people were coming in and all we wanted to do was get out. It was incredibly hot and the air was so thin, I was having a hard time staying focused. We eventually pushed through our exhaustion and made it out, where our guide was waiting. Our guide surprised us with snapping an after shot, before handing back my camera.

before
after

I felt instantly better in the open air, but Curtis was completely wiped out. Someone gave him a stool as his legs were shaking and I was afraid he’d pass out. I gave him the rest of my water and time to recoup.

This climb is not easy and not one I recommend for anyone who has mobility issue, respiratory concerns or claustrophobia. If you still want to attempt this excursion, as I understand the appeal, stay hydrated and bring water with you.