The Great Pyramid of Giza - Egypt: DAY 1: Over 5000 years ago, the Egyptians were building pyramids. The pyramids were used as grand tombs for Egypt's Kings. As part of their religion, the Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh needed certain things to succeed in the afterlife. Deep inside the pyramid the Pharaoh would be buried with all sorts of items and treasure that he may need to survive in the afterlife. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest. It is also the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.
DAY 2: How the pyramids were built has been a mystery that archeologists have been trying to solve for many years. It is believed that thousands of slaves were used to cut up the large blocks and then slowly move them up the pyramid on ramps. The pyramid would get slowly built, one block at a time. Scientists estimate it took at least 20,000 workers over 23 years to build the Great Pyramid of Giza. Because it took so long to build them, Pharaohs generally started the construction of their pyramids as soon as they became ruler.
DAY 3: Deep inside the pyramids lays the Pharaoh's burial chamber which would be filled with treasure and items for the Pharaoh to use in the afterlife. The walls were often covered with carvings and paintings. Near the Pharaoh's chamber would be other rooms where family members and servants were buried. There were often small rooms that acted as temples and larger rooms for storage. Narrow passageways led to outside.
Sometimes fake burial chambers or passages would be used to try and trick grave robbers. Because there was such valuable treasure buried within the pyramid, grave robbers would try to break in and steal the treasure. Despite the Egyptian's efforts, nearly all of the pyramids were robbed of their treasures by 1000 B.C.
DAY 4: The priests of ancient Egypt developed ways to preserve or ‘mummify’ a body so that it would last. They mummified people as well as animals and archeologists have found entire burial chambers just devoted to the burial of mummified cats. While other animals were found, cats were the favorite and most loved pet of the ancient Egyptians. Pharaohs had the most expensive mummification of all people. Since the pharaoh was considered a god they included many gems and amulets in between the layers of linen wrapping. They would also use a special sarcophagus for the pharaoh that was carved and painted in his likeness. Some were decorated with gold. Others, had solid gold decorative masks placed on the head and face that looked like the pharaoh. The pharaoh mummies were placed in special burial places along with many of the expensive items that they would take with them in the afterlife. Many of the tombs were robbed, however the tomb of King Tut was found intact. His sarcophagus shows the grandeur of Egypt's kings.
DAY 5: Seeing the pyramids is a quintessential Egyptian experience, but seeing them from the back of a camel makes your trip an adventure. Camel spitting and bumpy rides are part of the charm of this desert excursion. Getting on and off a camel is tricky, but fun. If you want to ride a camel to the pyramids, you will need to barter how much it costs from the owner of the camels --that means you offer a price and he says "yes" or "no." You keep doing this until there is an agreement. You can expect to be on and off your camel for about four hours as you go from one pyramid to another. Tourists agree that it may not be comfortable, but it makes seeing the pyramids even more special.
