Wonders - The Pyramids

The last of the Ancient seven wonders of the world still in existence, the Pyramids hold a fascinations for many as the link between the modern world and the ancient.

They were the Tombs of Pharoahs and Queens, from the frist step pyramids built around 2630BC to the smooth sided complexes, built around 1817BC, which may have included Offering halls, Chapels, COurtyards, Annexes, and storage areas, Besides Pharoah's Mortuary appartment

There are no more famous ancient sites within Egypt, or for that matter elsewhere in the world, than the Great Pyramids at Giza. They are, without question, the icon most associated with the Egypt. They have been both the main destination for tourists, and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years.

There certainly exist other pyramids in the world, although their purpose is different from those in Ancient egypt. Many of the pyramids in central america were built as temples, rather than tombs.

While pyramids were, for the most part, tombs for the Pharaohs of Egypt, one must nevertheless question the reason that Egyptian rulers chose this particular shape, and for that matter, why they built them so large. Today, we believe that they chose the shape in order to mimic the Benben, a pyramid shaped stone found in the earliest of temples, which itself is thought to symbolize the primeval mound from which the Egyptians believed life emerged. This also connected the pyramid to Re, the Sun God, as it was he, according to some of the ancient Egypt mythology, who rose from the primeval mound to create life.

There are standard tours to the Pyramids, offered by all major tour operators. Indeed, what visit to the land of the Pharoahs would be complete without a look at the pyramids.

On any one visit to Egypt, it's possible to see all the pyramids, although, to view every single one would become monotonous as there are over 100. Most visitors head for the Giza Pyramids, arguably the greatest ones ever built. It's not possible to tour all of these in one visit, as at any one time, at least one pyramis will be closed for maintenance.

One Pyramis which tour operators may not be able to offer tours to is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is limited to 300 visitors per day. So if this is a priority, you'll have to deal with it yourself.

Unfortunately, Access to the pyramids may prove difficult for some visitors, as they were never designed for tours.