Valley Of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is the ultimate burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. Hidden deep within the rugged, desert hills of Luxor’s West Bank, this mystical valley served as the final resting place for legendary rulers like Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, and Seti I for nearly 500 years.

⛰️ The Pyramid in the Mountain

During the Old Kingdom, pharaohs built giant pyramids that acted as massive beacons for tomb robbers. To protect their mummies and golden treasures, the New Kingdom kings chose a completely different strategy: secrecy.

They selected a hidden, desolate valley dominated by a natural peak called al-Qurn, which looks exactly like a natural pyramid. Workers and artists spent centuries carving deep, labyrinthine tunnels right into the heart of the limestone mountain, concealing the entrances with desert rocks and sand.

🎨 The Journey into the Underworld

The tombs in the valley are numbered in the order they were discovered (prefixed with “KV” for King’s Valley). Walking into one of these tombs feels like stepping into an ancient art gallery.

• The Vibrant Colors: The walls are covered in incredibly preserved, colorful reliefs that look as if they were painted yesterday.
• The Magical Books: The walls display ancient religious texts, such as the Book of the Dead and the Book of Gates. These acted as a magical “cheat sheet” or guidebook to help the dead pharaoh navigate the dangers of the underworld and achieve eternal life.

🌟 The Tomb of King Tutankhamun (KV62)

While most of the tombs were completely looted in antiquity, one managed to escape the robbers. In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the young king Tutankhamun. Because it was hidden beneath the debris of a later tomb, it remained completely intact, filled with thousands of breathtaking treasures, golden chariots, and the famous solid-gold death mask.

🚗 How to Visit

• Location: Tucked away in the desert mountains on the West Bank of Luxor.
• Opening Hours: The valley welcomes visitors daily from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• The Ticket System: A standard entry ticket allows you to choose and explore any 3 open tombs from the general list.
• Premium Tombs: A few extra-special tombs require an additional, separate ticket because of their historical value and fragility. These include the famous tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), the stunningly massive tomb of Seti I (KV17), and the tomb of Ramesses V/VI (KV9).
• Booking: All tickets must be purchased digitally through the official platform of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.