The ancient royal necropolis on Luxor's West Bank contains 63 known tombs of pharaohs and nobles, including Tutankhamun's legendary burial chamber. The painted tomb walls depicting the Book of the Dead are extraordinarily preserved.
The Valley of the Kings occupies a desert valley on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, situated beneath a prominent pyramid-shaped peak known as al-Qurn. From the reign of Thutmose I (c. 1504 BC) through the reign of Ramesses XI (c. 1070 BC), the valley became the primary burial site of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs, high priests, and selected nobles. Sixty-three tombs have been discovered to date, numbered KV1 through KV63 in order of discovery, with KV62 — the tomb of Tutankhamun, unearthed by Howard Carter in 1922 — the most celebrated, and the only royal tomb found with its funerary equipment substantially intact.
The tombs range from simple single-chamber pits to elaborate multi-room complexes descending 100 metres into the rock. Burial chambers and descending corridors are covered in some of ancient Egypt's finest painted reliefs, depicting passages from religious texts including the Amduat, the Book of Gates, and the Book of the Dead, which guided the deceased pharaoh through the underworld toward resurrection. The tomb of Seti I (KV17), discovered in 1817, contains the most extensive decorative programme in the valley, extending over 100 metres of painted walls across multiple chambers; access requires a separate premium ticket. The tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9) has particularly well-preserved astronomical ceiling paintings showing the Book of the Day and Book of the Night.
The standard admission ticket covers access to three tombs chosen from a rotating selection. Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) requires a separate additional ticket; his mummy remains inside the outermost coffin in the burial chamber. A small visitor centre at the entrance provides models of the valley layout and historical context. The west valley branch, reached by a separate path, contains only two tombs and sees far fewer visitors. Summer temperatures in the enclosed valley regularly exceed 40°C, making November through February the optimal visiting period.
Why it matters
For nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th centuries BC, the Valley of the Kings served as the burial ground of Egypt's most powerful pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, and Seti I. The site represents the deliberate shift from above-ground pyramid tombs to concealed underground chambers, a response to the systematic tomb robbery that had stripped earlier royal burials.
Highlights
- Descend into the exquisitely painted tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9), with its intact astronomical ceiling depicting the Book of the Day and Night
- Visit Tutankhamun's tomb KV62, where the pharaoh's mummy remains inside its golden coffin in the burial chamber
- Explore the finest painted burial programme in the valley in Seti I's tomb (KV17), requiring a separate premium ticket
- View the valley's distinctive pyramid-shaped peak, al-Qurn, the natural formation the Egyptians selected as a symbolic pyramid above the royal necropolis
Tips for visiting
- Choose tombs carefully before entering — the standard ticket covers three and there is no re-entry. Seti I, Ramesses VI, and Merneptah are widely considered the finest.
- Arrive no later than 8 AM; the valley heats rapidly and the most popular tombs develop queues by 9:30 AM.
- Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) requires a separate ticket purchased at the main booth; buy it before entering the valley.
- The west valley branch is accessible from the main valley and sees only a fraction of visitors — Amenhotep III's tomb (WV22) offers a quieter alternative.
- Bring water; there is one kiosk inside the valley but no shade between tomb entrances.
- Hiring a licensed Egyptologist guide at the entrance significantly increases the value of the visit; tomb paintings without contextual knowledge are difficult to interpret.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Valley of the Kings take?
With a standard three-tomb ticket, allow 2–2.5 hours including transit between tombs and the visitor centre. Adding Tutankhamun's tomb and the west valley extends this to 3–3.5 hours.
Is photography permitted inside the tombs?
Photography policies vary by tomb and change periodically. As of recent visits, phone photography without flash has been permitted in some tombs; professional cameras and tripods remain banned. Confirm current rules at the ticket office before entering.
Is the site suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
Most tombs involve descending steep staircases into the rock. The valley paths between tombs are flat and manageable, but no tomb interiors are accessible by wheelchair. An electric tram connects the main entrance to the valley floor.
Can the site be visited independently without a guide?
Yes — independent visits are straightforward with the numbered tomb system and the visitor centre. However, the painted reliefs and religious texts require contextual knowledge to be fully appreciated; a licensed guide or detailed guidebook is strongly recommended.