Tips for Visiting the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt

Some travelers have long wondered if Cairo is better than Luxor, and the answer to this question depends on personal interest. But Luxor’s history and charm make it truly stand out. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the city is definitely worth exploring. The archaeological site is considered one of the most striking destinations in Luxor. It is famous for having some of the most iconic tombs of ancient Egyptian kings. History buffs will surely enjoy spending time at one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. But even tourists who don’t know history will have an unforgettable trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. But getting around this area of Luxor can be challenging, especially for first-time visitors. Here are some tips for visiting the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt.

It Is Best to Explore the Valley of the Kings Between October and April

Summer is the hottest season, while Egypt, located in the northern hemisphere, is extremely hot. That is why it is recommended to visit the tomb from October to April. At this time of year, temperatures are cool but warm enough for vacationers to enjoy spending time in the grave. Note that many tourists flock to Egypt at this time, and the Valley of the Kings is one of the main tourist attractions and can therefore get crowded, especially the mausoleums of Ramses VI and Tutankhamun, which are the most visited mausoleums.

Visit the Valley of the Kings as Early as Possible

If visiting the Valley of the Kings, it is recommended to arrive early. At least 8:00 am is the best option. During this time, vacationers may have beautiful tombs for them to enjoy the beautiful scenery and take some epic photos. The attraction starts to get crowded around 10:00 AM, so by midday, visitors will find it difficult to enjoy exploring these amazing sights as the narrow passageways can become crowded.

• Valley of the Kings is open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in winter and until 5:00 p.m. in summer

Visitors Can Only Use Their Phones to Take Pictures, But Permission Is Required to Photograph the “Special Graves”

Visitors can take photos with their mobile phones, but not flash. However, not all phones can take the best photos because it is very dark inside the grave. For crisp photos, pair it with the iPhone 11 Pro. Holidaymakers should also note that photographs of “special graves” including Nefertari, Seti and Tutankhamun are not allowed unless permission is obtained. The guides in these graves check to make sure every photographer is licensed.

Many visitors choose not to purchase the permits required to photograph special graves. Instead, they chose to bribe the guards to take a few quick photos, which might work. But this is a huge risk that can lead to consequences such as jail time or not being able to enjoy the freedom to take pictures like other travelers.

When Visiting the Valley of the Kings, The Tomb of Ramses Vi Is a Must-See

The tomb of Ramses has the widest corridors and various decorations. This is one of the most fascinating finds of ancient Egypt. The main feature of this tomb is the astronomical ceiling with an image of the goddess nut, which visitors can see before entering the chamber. In the burial chamber, one will marvel at the stunning ceilings and frescoes. While many visitors focus their itineraries on three tombs that cost an extra fee, this is the best they can explore in the Valley of the Kings.

While Independent Travelers Can Make Their Own Trip to the Valley of the Kings, An Organized Tour of the Nile Is the Best Way to Get Around

The Valley of the Kings is located about 18 miles northwest of Luxor and can be reached by bus, taxi or bicycle. While independent visitors can choose any of the available ways, booking a tour is the best and most popular option for exploring archaeological sites. Choose between a guided or private tour to spend the most memorable trip in the Valley of the Kings. Each tomb has information, but the guide also provides detailed stories of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and their tombs.

• Guided tour of the Valley of the Kings: From $40 per person

Don’t Expect to See Much in Tutankhamun’s Tomb Other Than Mummies and Impressive Murals

Unfortunately, almost all of King Tutankhamun’s treasures are now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo; Nothing to see. The main things to see here include the impressive body of Tutankhamun and the beautiful frescoes. Other than that, there’s really not much to see here. Another thing about this grave is that vacationers are not allowed to take pictures. Anyone who wants to visit it will have to buy an additional ticket, separate from the ticket to explore the other tombs. So, if you want to see more treasure, it’s best to focus on other tombs. King Tutankhamun’s treasure is one of the fascinating facts one learned about the ancient Egyptians in Cairo.

A Visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut on the Way from Luxor to the Valley of the Kings Is a Must

Located on the way from Luxor to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut is one of the must-sees; Thank you for being so amazing. Also known as Djeser-Djeseru (Holy of Holies), it was built by Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the finest pharaohs of ancient Egypt, and dedicated to the god Amun and herself. There is a series of terraces that vacationers can reach via a long ramp. Before continuing to explore the mausoleums of the Valley of the Kings, spend about two and a half hours to live the best of this temple. This is one of the unique experiences that can only be obtained in Egypt and is well worth a visit.

• Hatshepsut Temple tour duration: about two and a half hours

Find out Exactly How Much It Costs to Explore the Valley of the Kings

If planning to visit the Valley of the Kings, vacationers should know how much it might cost to explore ancient tombs. The general admission ticket costs 260 Egyptian pounds, which is about $8, and allows you to visit three of the available mausoleums, with the exception of the tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I, and KV 9, which require additional tickets to explore.

• General admission fee to explore the three tombs:$8
• Cost of entry to Tutankhamun: about $10
• Cost of entry to Seti I: $32
• Cost of entry to the tombs of Ramses V and Ramses VI (KV 9): about $3

Buy the Luxor Pass to Enter the Archaeological Sites on the West and East Banks of Luxor

Vacationers can save a lot of money by purchasing a Luxor Pass, which gives them access to all the archaeological sites on the west and east banks of Luxor. There are two options to choose from; Standard Luxor Pass and Premium Luxor Pass. The standard pass allows visitors to visit all archaeological sites on the west and east coasts, except for two tombs; Nefertali and Seti I.

Standard Luxor Pass Fees:$100 (adult) and $50 (under 30 years old with a valid student ID)

The Luxor Premium Pass gives you access to all the archaeological sites on the West and East Banks, as well as the tombs of Nefertari and Seti I.

Luxor Premium Pass costs:$200 for adults and $30 for students under 10 with a valid student ID