Valley of the Kings

The Kings Valley, popularly known as The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where rock-cut tombs were built for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of Ancient Egypt who lived 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC. It was the royal site for the burial of major royal figures of the Egyptian New Kingdom.
The Kings Valley is home to 63 tombs and over 120 chambers. It is positioned in the center of the Theban Necropolis on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern-day Luxor). The Valley is divided into two; the East Valley, where most of the royal tombs are situated, and the West Valley (Valley of the Monkeys). In 1979, it became a World Heritage Site, along with the rest of the Theban Necropolis.

Note* Tickets are sold per three tombs, with a separate ticket for the tombs of Ay and Tutankhamun, from the ticket office at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings. Also here is the Visitor Centre where you can see a film about the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Tomb openings are rotated to protect the paint from human damage.

To avoid the crowds head for the tombs farther away from the entrance.

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Why was the Valley Built

Ancient Egyptians believed in the doctrine of the afterlife, in which they were promised continuity of life, and pharaohs were convinced of ruling with gods. This led to the building of tombs in preparations for the next world, and the use of mummification to preserve the body so that the deceased's eternal soul would be able to wake up and continue living in the afterlife.
However, the deceased was not buried alone. They were buried alongside their possessions including any material goods they might need in the afterlife. And It explains why a lot of treasures including the golden masks were found in the ancient tombs.
According to experts, the ancient pharaohs of Egypt had their tombs filled with many things including furniture, jewelry, clothes, and even underwear. But there were no books, and yet the tombs were well app packed with food and drinks such as wine and beer, as well as other objects meant to help them achieve eternal life. Even favored champions, servants, pet baboons, and hunting dogs were buried with them.

Exploring the Valley of the Kings

During Egypt's New Kingdom (1539-1075 B.C. ), the Valley was popular as the burial site for numerous royalties in Egypt's history, and other 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties.
The royal tombs, which range from simple pits to complex multi-chambered tombs, are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology. The tombs also reveal information about the period's beliefs and funerary practices. Although almost all of the tombs appear to have been opened and robbed in antiquity, they still give an idea of the pharaohs' opulence and power and continue to yield surprises.
The valley is also one of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world. It is still being explored, excavated, and conserved, and a new tourist center has recently opened. While Tutankhamun's tomb still contains the mummified body of one of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, the vast majority of the objects buried with the ancient king are now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
With an expert guide to explain the specifics of each tomb and pharaoh, you can make the most of your visit to the Valley of the Kings and experience all that it has to offer. Combining the tour with a trip to the Valley of the Queens, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Hatshepsut is a common way to experience the site.

Things to Know Before Visiting

The tombs are opened to the public on rotation to protect them from the damage caused by the presence of visitors, so it is recommended that you arrive at the Valley of the Kings as early as you can to avoid queues and the stifling heat of the day as much as possible.
If you're riding a bicycle, be ready for a gradual, dry, hot climb as you approach the Valley of the Kings. However, mineral water, soft drinks, ice creams, and snacks can be purchased from the stalls at the tourist bazaar close to the entrance while a rest house is being constructed close to the visitors' center. Between the visitor center and the tombs, a tuf-tuf, a miniature electrical train, transport guests.
Hiring a taxi from Luxor is the best option if you want to explore the Valley of the Kings at your own pace. monuments you want to see; this typically ranges from LE 100 to 200, depending on where you want to go and how long for. Therefore, to ensure that you know what you're looking at, we strongly advise reading up on the tombs before visiting! If you love history, especially myths and legends, you most definitely will enjoy the atmosphere at the Valley of kings.
When you visit, a tour guide can help you recognize and learn about the rich history of the ancient Egyptians. The royal ambiance of this attraction site is worth relishing any time of the year.
As you plan a visit to the historic Valley of Kings, be prepared to immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Egyptians spanning many centuries.