Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank in Egypt is the royal necropolis of the New Kingdom pharaohs, containing more than 60 decorated tombs cut into the limestone cliffs of the Theban Hills. Constructed between approximately 1550 and 1070 BC, the valley served as the burial ground for rulers including Thutmose III, Seti I, Ramesses II, and, most famously, the boy-king Tutankhamun, whose tomb was discovered intact by Howard Carter in 1922. The standard admission ticket grants entry to three tombs, selected by the visitor from those currently open to the public, which rotates periodically to allow conservation work. Each tomb follows a similar descending corridor plan — steep passageways lined with brilliantly painted scenes from the Book of the Dead, the Amduat, and other funerary texts — though the scale, depth, and quality of decoration vary considerably. Seti I's tomb is regarded as the finest but requires a separate ticket. Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) also requires a separate ticket and contains his mummy in the outer sarcophagus. The site visitor center at the entrance offers scale models and background panels. A small electric tram connects the entrance to the tomb area. Photography is strictly prohibited inside all tombs, and wardens enforce this actively. The valley heats up quickly after 8 AM in summer; the corridors inside the tombs provide some relief but can be humid with visitors. Mornings from 6 AM are significantly cooler and less congested. Combine the valley with Hatshepsut's Temple and Medinet Habu for a full West Bank day.