What is the Valley of the Kings?
The Valley of the Kings, also known as the Valley of the Gates of the Kings, is a valley in Egypt for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC. Tombs were constructed for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth through Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile River near Thebes (modern Luxor) in Upper Egypt.
The main wadi consists of two valleys: East Valley (the ancient division of which gave rise to the Arabic name Qurnet Murai or "hornets' nest valley") and West Valley. With an area of approximately 1.5 square miles (4 square kilometers), it is one of the largest archaeological sites in Egypt and an important sight on Luxor day tours. Today, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Egypt tours.
The History of the Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Located in Egypt's Thebes, it was the burial place of many of the country's Pharaohs and their families. Don’t hesitate to visit the Valley of Kings during the historical Egypt travel packages.
The first tomb in the Valley of the Kings was built for Pharaoh Thutmose I, around 1550 BC. Over the next 500 years, more than 60 royal tombs were constructed in the valley. The last tomb, that of King Tutankhamun, was built around 1350 BC, you can enter the tomb on the Luxor west bank tour.
After the reign of Tutankhamun, Egypt's power began to decline. As a result, the Valley of the Kings fell into disuse and was largely forgotten by the Egyptians. It wasn't until 1922 that British archaeologist Howard Carter rediscovered it to be visited by a large number of tourists from all over the world in unforgettable Egypt classic tours.
Since Carter's discovery, many more tombs have been found in the valley. Today, it is one of Egypt's most popular tourist attractions and top-rated in Egypt luxury tours, with thousands of visitors each year.
What Tombs are in the Valley of the Kings?
The Valley of the Kings is a tomb complex in Egypt that houses the tombs of some of the most famous pharaohs in history. The Valley is located on the west bank of the Nile River, near Luxor, prepare with Egypt Online Tour to visit it by customizing your tour or booking our ready-to-go classic tours to Cairo and Luxor.
There are 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including those of Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I. The tomb of Tutankhamun is the most famous and perhaps the best-preserved tomb in the Valley. It was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.
The Valley of the Kings was used as a burial ground for Pharaohs and their consorts from 1539 BCE to 1075 BCE. It was then abandoned until it was rediscovered in modern times.
How to visit the Valley of the Kings
There are a couple of things to remember while visiting the Valley of the Lords. Right off the bat, it is situated in Luxor, Egypt - around three hours south of Cairo. Besides, while the Valley is open all year, the best opportunity to visit is among October and April when the weather conditions is cooler to partake in the best of Egypt budget tours.
To get to the Valley, you can either take a taxi or join a tour group from Luxor. Once you're there, you'll need to purchase a ticket (which includes a map) from the Visitor Centre. From there, it's up to you whether you want to explore on your own or join a guided tour. (We provide tour guides in all the historical Egypt day tours)
There are 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings that you can see in a classic package from Cairo to Luxor, however, only a handful are open to the public at any given time. The most popular tomb is that of Tutankhamun (more commonly known as King Tut), but it's worth checking out some of the others as well.
Keep in mind that photography is not allowed inside any of the tombs and that there is a dress code (no bare shoulders or knees). Also, be prepared for crowds as this is one of Egypt's most popular tourist attractions in our Egypt adventure tours.
The Valley of the Kings is one of Egypt's most famous archaeological sites. It is home to the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as many other important tombs and temples. If you're interested in visiting the Valley of the Kings, join our luxury tour to Cairo and Luxor which include a day tour of the Valley of Kings and other beautiful attraction in Luxor.
