Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom, a dry limestone valley on Luxor's West Bank where pharaohs were buried for roughly five centuries, from about the 16th to the 11th century BC. Instead of pyramids, these kings chose tombs cut deep into the rock, their corridors and chambers covered with painted texts meant to guide the king through the underworld.

It is the place most travelers picture when they think of ancient Egyptian tombs, and for good reason. The colors in the best-preserved tombs are still vivid, and the scenes give you a direct look at how the Egyptians imagined the night journey of the sun and the king's rebirth. Above the valley rises the peak of al-Qurn, whose natural pyramid shape may have been one reason the site was chosen.

The valley has two branches. The East Valley holds most of the tombs and is where nearly all visitors go. The quieter West Valley contains a few tombs, including those of Amenhotep III and Ay, and is visited far less often.

History in brief

More than 60 tombs and pits have been found in the valley, each numbered with the prefix KV, for Kings' Valley, in roughly the order they were recorded. They include burials of rulers of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties, among them Thutmose III, Seti I, Ramesses II and Ramesses VI, though not every tomb belonged to a king; some were made for queens, princes and high officials, and some are simple pits.

The tombs were cut and decorated by a skilled community of workmen who lived in the village now called Deir el-Medina, on the other side of the hills. Their records, written on pottery and limestone flakes, are among the best evidence we have for daily working life in ancient Egypt.

Almost all the tombs were robbed in antiquity. Toward the end of the New Kingdom and after it, priests gathered many royal mummies and moved them to hidden caches for safekeeping, including one in the cliffs near Deir el-Bahari and another in the tomb of Amenhotep II. Those royal mummies are now displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo.

The famous exception is the tomb of Tutankhamun, found largely intact by Howard Carter in 1922. Its treasures are now displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza, but the young king's mummy remains in his tomb in the valley.

Exploration of the valley has never really stopped. Travelers and early Egyptologists recorded open tombs from the 18th and 19th centuries onward, and modern teams continue to clear, document and protect them. In the 1990s, an American mission led by Kent Weeks showed that KV5, long known only as a small, damaged tomb, was in fact a vast complex built for sons of Ramesses II. Work on conservation, flood protection and replicas is ongoing, which is one reason the list of open tombs shifts over time.

What to see

The tombs open to visitors rotate to protect the paintings, so the selection changes from season to season. Highlights that are often open include:

• The tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), small but famous, where you can see the king's mummy and a painted burial chamber. It is modest compared with other royal tombs, likely because the king died young.
• The tomb of Seti I (KV17), one of the longest and most finely decorated tombs in the valley. It was found by Giovanni Belzoni in 1817, and its painted reliefs are among the best in Egypt.
• The tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9), with its astronomical ceiling showing the sky goddess Nut swallowing the sun at evening and giving birth to it at dawn.
• The tomb of Ramesses III (KV11), known for its side chambers with unusual scenes, including two harpists.
• The tomb of Ramesses IV (KV2), an easy, straight tomb with bright colors and a fine ceiling in the burial chamber.
• The tomb of Merenptah (KV8), son and successor of Ramesses II, with a long descent and the lid of a massive granite sarcophagus.
• The tomb of Horemheb (KV57), which shows decoration at different stages of work, from painted sketches to finished relief, when it is open.

Architecture and details worth noticing

The tombs follow a broad pattern: a sequence of descending corridors, a deep shaft, pillared halls and a burial chamber. Earlier 18th Dynasty tombs often turn at an angle, while later Ramesside tombs tend to run in a straighter line deep into the hill. The shaft may have served to catch flash floods and to deter robbers.

The walls carry funerary texts known as the books of the underworld, such as the Amduat, the Book of Gates and the Book of Caves. They describe the 12 hours of the night, when the sun god travels through the underworld in his boat, faces dangers such as the serpent Apophis and is reborn at dawn. The king hoped to join that journey and rise again with the sun.

In several tombs you can see unfinished sections, with grid lines and red and black ink sketches. These show how artists worked: draftsmen drew the scenes, sculptors cut them and painters finished them. Where a king died early, work stopped wherever it had reached.

How to get there

The valley is on the West Bank, around 30 to 40 minutes by road from most east bank hotels, using the bridge south of the city. You can also cross the Nile by local ferry or private boat and continue by car. From the visitor center, a small electric tram takes you up to the tomb area. Near the visitor center you will usually find a model of the valley, which helps you understand the layout before you go in.

How long to spend and when to go

Allow two to three hours, including the tram, the walks between tombs and time inside. The standard ticket covers a set number of tombs, and some tombs, including those of Tutankhamun and Seti I, require an extra ticket. Which tombs are open, what they cost and the rules on photography all change, so check the current situation before you go or ask your guide to plan the selection.

Go as early as possible. The valley traps heat, and from late spring to early fall it becomes very hot by late morning. Even in winter, the sun is strong. Mornings are also busier with tour groups, so arriving at opening time gives you a head start. In the hottest months, many guides plan the valley first and the temples afterward, so that the tombs are done before midday.

Tips from our specialists

• Ask which tombs are open that day and choose a mix of periods and styles rather than three similar ones.
• Guides are not allowed to talk inside the tombs, so they explain each tomb outside before you go in. Listen to the background first and then take your time inside.
• Carry water and wear a hat. The walks between tombs are short but exposed, and some tombs involve steep ramps or stairs.
• Inside, the air can be warm and humid. Move slowly and take breaks if you need to.
• Do not touch the walls, even lightly. Oils from hands damage the paint.
• Wear shoes with good grip. Some ramps and wooden walkways can be slippery.
• Follow current photography rules exactly, and never use flash inside the tombs.

Nearby sights to combine

The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is just over the hill and is usually visited the same morning. The Colossi of Memnon stand beside the road on the way in. Other West Bank sites that pair well include the Valley of the Queens, where the tomb of Nefertari is sometimes open with a special ticket, the workers' village of Deir el-Medina, the Tombs of the Nobles, the Ramesseum and Medinet Habu.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see Tutankhamun's mummy?

Yes. Tutankhamun's mummy remains in his tomb, KV62, and is displayed in a climate-controlled case. Entry to the tomb usually requires an extra ticket, so check current arrangements.

Where are the other royal mummies?

Most royal mummies of the New Kingdom are displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. Tutankhamun's treasures, including his gold mask, are displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

How many tombs can I visit?

The standard ticket covers a set number of tombs, and some special tombs need separate tickets. The number and selection change, so confirm before you go.

Is the Valley of the Kings suitable for older travelers?

Many older travelers visit comfortably, but expect heat, uneven paths and some steep slopes inside the tombs. Choose tombs with gentler access, go early and take breaks.

Can I take photos inside the tombs?

Photography rules have changed several times and may involve a separate permit. Check the current rules on the day, and never use flash.

Most travelers see the Valley of the Kings as part of a West Bank day from Luxor, either during a stay in the city or on the Luxor stop of a Nile cruise.