“There’s nothing inside.”

That’s how many will answer when asked whether or not they should go inside the Pyramids.

It’s hot, it’s stuffy, it’s really cramped.  Picture the most comfortable environment your mind can conjure up, then imagine the exact opposite.  That’s what it’s like inside the Pyramids.

It’s also utterly unforgettable.

Entering the Great Pyramid of Giza

You see that little gash in the side of the Great Pyramid?  That’s an entrance that was supposedly made in the 9th Century.  You’ll be going through a small hole below there.

You need a special ticket to go inside the Pyramids, which you’ll buy at the ticket window when you go in (through the main entrance, mind you…you did read the article about this, right?). 

You can also go inside one of the other two main Pyramids, although they aren’t as reliably open as the Great Pyramid.

The cost seems to fluctuate, but at last check a ticket to enter the Great Pyramid was 400 Egyptian pounds, or around $25.  For Egypt, that’s a lot of money  — more than your main ticket to get into the complex, actually.  But did you really come all this way to not go inside?

Not easy, not hard

Is climbing inside the Great Pyramid hard? 

Well, “hard” is relative.  I generally respond to that question with “It’s not easy, and it’s not hard.” 

It depends on your physical condition.  Are you able to walk a fair distance?  Are you okay with climbing up and down?  If so, it’s not a big deal.  You won’t be wheezing or gasping for air.

But if you have some limitations, you might have to skip it.  All over Egypt, I saw elderly people left behind by their groups, and it always made me sad — not just because they were tethered to a tour group, but because you know that a percentage of them put off visiting Egypt for too long. 

You certainly don’t need to be an Olympian or even someone who goes running every day to drag yourself up the wooden slats inside the Pyramids — but if you have bad knees and need a cane, you might have a rough go of it.

Once you go inside the Pyramids, what’s it like?

This picture is of the “Grand Gallery,” right before you get to the actual burial chamber.  Doesn’t look that bad, right?

Well, most of your experience will be like the picture above this one.  You’ll be hunched over at the waist, scooting up a wooden ramp with little slats on it.  It’s cramped enough that if you’re wearing a backpack, you’ll have to move it to the front and let it hang off of your chest.

It’s hot and stuffy inside, and as I’ve said, it’s very confined.  If you have claustrophobia, this may not be the place for you — although if it helps, this structure has been standing for about 4500 years and hasn’t collapsed.  You probably aren’t going to get trapped in here.

For those who think they may not be able to physically make the trip inside the Pyramids of Giza, the Red Pyramid at Dashur may be a good alternative.  It’s a very similar experience, but much shorter and more manageable for those with limitations.

But there’s nothing inside!

Alas, it’s true: There’s nothing inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.  When you reach the King’s Chamber at the center, you’ll find a room of perfectly shaped granite blocks and a half-shattered sarcophagus.

Whatever was once here is long gone, likely stolen by tomb robbers.  And unlike the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings, this was built at a time when kings didn’t have any decoration in their final resting places.

To see the beginnings of that, you can visit nearby Saqqara and check out tombs in places like the Pyramid of Unas, where you’ll see hieroglyphs from top to bottom — believed to be the oldest religious writing in the world.

But here, there’s nothing.  Yes, there’s a couple little shafts you can peek into, believed to be a conduit for the Pharaoh’s spirit to leave his tomb.

And keep in mind, you’re not supposed to take pictures in here.  I’ve read some reports where the guards who check your tickets at the entrance will ask to hold your camera — sometimes asking for a “tip” to return it — but as my camera was in my backpack, I didn’t experience that.

Of course, the guard in the King’s Chamber was happily going from tourist to tourist, asking for tips in exchange to let you take pictures — or even to take pictures of you.  But the lighting isn’t great in there, and as I keep repeating: There really isn’t much to see.

But…

Should you go inside the Pyramids? Here I am, basically telling you all the reasons you shouldn’t, only to follow that up with a resounding Yes. If you’re able and feel comfortable, do it.

Why?  Well…when else are you going to have the opportunity to actually go inside the only surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?  This place was around 2500 years old when the Colosseum was built.  Being able to climb inside of it is an experience you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.

Note: Everything I say here is my own personal opinion, and may not work best for everyone. I’m far from an expert, so please just do whatever is best for you, and be sure to visit the TripAdvisor Forums to ask questions and do some more research!