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Valley of the Kings: The Pharaohs' Necropolis

Discover the royal tombs of pharaohs in Luxor's Valley of the Kings, an ancient necropolis with elaborately decorated burial chambers.

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Explore the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of New Kingdom pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Ramses II, located on Luxor's West Bank. Discover elaborately decorated tombs and learn about ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.

A brief summary to Valley of the Kings

Local tips

  • Purchase tickets, including those for special tombs and a photo pass, at the visitor center before entering the valley.
  • Visit early or later in the day to avoid crowds and the hottest temperatures.
  • Wear modest, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes for walking uphill between tombs.
  • Bring cash in Egyptian pounds for snacks, drinks, and tips.
  • Be prepared for additional fees to enter certain tombs, such as Tutankhamun's or Seti I's.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Luxor city center or Luxor train station, take a taxi to the Valley of the Kings. The ride takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around 340 EGP. Agree on the fare with the driver before starting the journey. Alternatively, take a ferry from the East Bank to the West Bank (5 EGP), then hire a taxi to the Valley of the Kings. The taxi ride from the West Bank ferry terminal to the Valley of the Kings is about 15 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Valley of the Kings by public transport, take a ferry from the East Bank to the West Bank (5 EGP). From the West Bank ferry terminal, take a local taxi or minibus to the Valley of the Kings. Negotiate the fare before you get in. The cost should be approximately 20-30 EGP.

  • On Foot

    From the visitor center, a tram is available to take visitors closer to the tomb entrances for 20 EGP. The tram ride takes about 3 minutes. From the tram stop, it is a short, uphill walk to the entrances of the tombs.

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Discover more about Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings, also known as the Valley of the Gates of the Kings, is a royal burial ground for pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom of Egypt, from the 16th to 11th century BC. This era covered the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties. The valley is located on the west bank of the Nile River, opposite Thebes (modern-day Luxor). For nearly 500 years, the Valley of the Kings was the primary burial site for Egypt's major royal figures. The pharaohs chose this location in the hills behind Dayr al-Bahri, wishing to be close to the source of their dynastic roots and prepare for the afterlife. The tombs were excavated into the rock and decorated with intricate images and reliefs of a religious nature. The valley consists of two valleys: the East Valley, where the majority of the royal tombs are situated, and the West Valley, also known as the Valley of the Monkeys. Today, the Valley of the Kings contains 65 known tombs and chambers. The tombs vary in size and complexity, from simple pits to elaborate complexes with over 120 chambers. Some of the most famous pharaohs buried here include Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Seti I, and Thutmose III. Although most of the tombs were pillaged over time, the treasures exhumed from Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 vividly indicate the richness of the pharaohs' burials. The Valley of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Luxor, the Valley of the Queens, and Karnak.

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