A German tourist has scaled to the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza, risking damage to the corroding monument in the name of a great photo.

Andrej Ciesielski travelled from Munich to Cairo with the intention to scale one of the three giant pyramids.

He recorded the eight-minute climb to the top of the 4,500 year old pyramid on Monday, and the video has since gone viral.

While climbing the pyramids is illegal, the video editor and keen photographer said the pictures were worth the risk of up to three years in jail.

Writing in a blog, the 18-year-old described how he walked around the complex, waiting for the right moment to start the climb.

He said he went unnoticed for several minutes, until other tourists saw him half-way through the 146-metre ascent.

"That's how the police spotted me," he wrote.

"They shouted something in Arabic I think but I didn't care and kept going while listening to music."

When he reached the top, Andrej recorded the spectacular view and took photos documenting just how steep the pyramids are.

"Climbing down took me 20 minutes," he wrote on his blog, adding that he put 'safety first'.

Since the video has gone viral, many have marvelled at his feat and complimented his stunning photographs.

"I bet it was a good experience… I am Egyptian and I wish I can climb it," a local woman wrote.

"I'll do this when I go Egypt," a user wrote, confirming a fear that many social media users voiced online.

Large portions of commenters are worried the video will entice copycats and result in corroding the historical wonder.

"There is a difference between climbing random buildings and preserving history. These types of photos can be awesome and you've made some nice work but this one was just way too selfish considering how disrespectful it is," one man wrote on Facebook.

"Typical arrogant western tourist. I'm so sick of seeing these thoughtless vandals everywhere I've travelled over 50 years. Learn some respect people. Just because you have no values is no reason to disregard others values," another said.

"He should be locked up!! Trampling on untouched territory," a woman commented.

When Andrej reached the bottom of the pyramid, police took him to a local station where he was questioned.

He said they inspected his camera and he was released after several hours.