Ancient Egyptian Forum

Balacau

I'm very keen to get myself to Egypt, I've always been fascinated by the ancient structions and Djoser's step pyramid to me is probably the most interesting, possibly as its the oldest known pyramid? Anyway, I am aware you need to have what they call a "camera permit" for the tombs in the Valley of the Kings", but can you go inside such pyraminds as the Great Pyramid at Giza, or indeed, Djoser's pyramid?

I've never managed to find confirmation of weather you can or cannot still do this.

Thanks for any reply.

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PharoahKel · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:16 pm Post subject:

I think if you go by yourself, as a tourist, you probably cant but if you go with a resputable tour guide and group, they probably let you go in. I have wondered this too.
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Si-amun · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 12:35 pm Post subject:

Sorry but no you cant. I went to Saqqara last year and the actual Pyramid wasn't open, the complex around it was but you couldn't go inside the pyramid. You can go in the Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre at Giza, but get there early as like Tutankhamun's tomb and Nefertari's tomb they only sell a limited number of tickets each day. Get to the Pyramids as early as you can as most tickets are sold by about 9 in the morning, for the Pyramids. The Great Pyramid is amazing to go inside, I hope you get there. It is an unforgettable experience!
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PharoahKel · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject:

Thank you for that info, Si-Amun! I always wodered about if you could go in the Great Pyramid, now I know to go early! lol
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Balacau · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 3:41 pm Post subject:

Si-Amun

Many thanks for your reply. I'm not quite sure what it is about that certain pyramid that interests me so much yet, but at least I know now there is no point getting my hops up! Always good to have clarification first though.

Hmmmmm after seeing a recent book on eBay up for grabs (auction ended and I didnt bid) I wonder if the tomb they called KV-5 is open either.

In case I called it by the wrong pre-fix, it was built for the sons of Ramses II, has 60+ rooms and is considered the largest and most complex tomb yet discovered. Last I heard was in 2000, when egyptologists were still excavating it. Anyone know if thats open yet?

Osiris II · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:04 pm Post subject:

KV5 is an on-going excavation right now. I don't believe Kent Weeks will allow access to the public right now. Check out www.thebanmappingproject.com--you may be able to get more information there.
By the way, it's a wonderful site! It's easy to spend hours there, going through the tombs in the VOK, looking at the great pictures of the different sites--exploring, in other words! Check it out...

Si-amun · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 3:34 pm Post subject:

Very few tombs in the Valley are actually open t the public. When you go there your ticket allows you into any three tombs, but only about fifteen are ever open. The famous ones of Tuthmosis III, Merenptah and Horemheb were open last time i was there, (I went in them) and also the tomb of Ramsses IX, which i went to in 2000. Tutankhamun's tomb is an extra ticket, 40 Egyptian pounds, which is virtually nothing at the moment. In the Valley of the Queens even fewer tombs are open, and there is normally hardly anyone there, quite different from the King's Valley, lol. The tomb of Amun hirkopshef (son of Ramsses II) was open in 2003. In the Valley of the Nobles you can get into most tombs by bribing the guards, but they always lead you to the best ones anyway! The tombs of Ramsses II, Seti I, Hatchepsut and Ay are never open to the public for some reason, i think that they are a little too fragile for tourists. Shame though, maybe in the future.
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Thou dost appear beautiful on the horizon of heaven, oh living Amun, he who was the first to live.

Ankhesenamun3 · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 8:48 pm Post subject:

That is a shame that Ay's tombs is not open to the public. I think that would be a nice tomb to explore.

Si-amun · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:52 pm Post subject:

The tomb of Ay is also so remotely placed, away from all other major tombs that most guides don't even mention it. It is one of only a hand full of tombs located in the "West Valley". Check out the Theban Mapping Project website for a map, it is also a brilliant website to have a look through. Whereas much of the valley is crammed full the VOK is surrounded by similar wadis. I know about the religous significance of the pyramid shaped rock, but surely it can be seen from the other side of the cliff? Ay and Amenhotep III are buried away from the main valley, maybe there is a lot more to be found there.
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Thou dost appear beautiful on the horizon of heaven, oh living Amun, he who was the first to live.

Tash · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 10:11 am Post subject:

apparently in one of the pyramids there are huge stone crate thingies, sry hasnt had much sleep in the past 30 hours, i cant think of the right word, anyway, they are all in one peice (as in they werent Manifactured from flat slabs of granite) and the are perfectly square and do not deviate from straight.
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egyption_goddess · Tomb Robber Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 1 Location: canada

hey im doing a egypt project for school.can anyone help Question

well im doing a diogram of the step pyramig. c-ya
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Ramsekh · Gods/Goddesses Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 746

Blaah. All this makes me nauseous, but in a good way. Maybe Osiris II could help you out. Or perhaps Neb-Maat-re. Those two seem to be the most knowledgeable ones on the site and are active members.
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Psusennes I · Pharaoh Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 913 Location: England

Try:
http://www.youregypt.com/eguide/destinations/greatercairo/surroundings/saqqara/djoserscomp/
For more info on the inside of Djoser's pyramid.
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adleer · Servant Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Informative posts, I read useful article about King Djoser and the step pyramid at http://famouspharaohs.blogspot.com/2007/11/djoser.html

tnrees · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

It is sometimes possible to get into places that are not officialy open.