Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings (Arabic: Wadi el-Muluk, &#1608;&#1575;&#1583;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1604;&#1608;&#1603;; also known as Biban el-Moluk, the "Gates of the Kings") is an Egyptian archaeological locality in the hills immediately behind the West Bank of Luxor. As such, it is one of the most remarkable archaeological destinations in the world - the burial place of most of the pharaohs of Egypt of the New Kingdom.

Understand
The tombs within the Valley are designated by a KV number, standing for "King's Valley". The tomb of Tutankhamun, for example, is also known as KV62. On the other hand, the tombs in the Western Valley have been catalogued under WV numbers (WV = Western Valley).

Archaeological excavations continue periodically within the Valley of the Kings; perhaps best known is the American University of Cairo's excavation of KV5, the tomb of the Sons of Ramesses II. Director of this excavation is Professor Kent Weeks, also director of the Theban Mapping Project, granted the permit to map the Theban Necropolis in its entirety - a project now well advanced.

Entrance and hours
Opening hours: Summer daily 6AM–5PM; Winter daily 6AM–4PM.

Admission: LE260 (Dec 2022) for three tombs of your choice (those wishing to view more than 3 tombs must purchase additional tickets).

Get in
By taxi or bike are the preferred choices, see West Bank.

See
Many of the tombs in the Valley are closed to the public periodically for resting and renovation.

Information within the Valley has been vastly improved: (mostly) gone are the old faded signs, now replaced by engraved metal signs detailing the history, architecture and decoration of each tomb, together with detailed plans and diagrams (these have been provided by the Theban Mapping Project, in association with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities).

To get the best understanding of the tombs within the Valley of the Kings, visit at least one tomb from each of the three main building phases (see below).

Western Valley of the Kings
The Western Valley is adjacent to the main Valley and contains a number of remarkable pharaonic burials additional to the main one. The Western Valley is also known in Arabic as the Wadi al-Gurud (the "Valley of the Monkeys"), on account of the representations of baboons in several tomb paintings found within the wadi.

It is nowhere near so commonly accessed by tourist parties as the Valley of the Kings, being located somewhat 'off the beaten track'. The Valley is nonetheless well worth a visit by the determined traveller: its relative quiet and isolation help to evoke the silent and haunting atmosphere at one time characteristic of the main King's Valley (believed by ancient Egyptians to have been watched over by the protective goddess Meretseger, whose name translates as "she who loves silence").

Only the Tomb of Ay (out of 16 available tombs) is open to the public.

Getting there: the Western Valley is accessed by a winding dirt and stone road that begins at the car park of the Valley of the Kings. Visitors must walk for some 2 km between massive boulders, under towering rock cliffs, in order to reach the tombs; although some taxis will take you all the way into the valley. The road is not suitable for cycling.



Do
Not much except for seeing the tombs.

Buy
The Valley of the Kings ticket does not include a tram ride from the ticket office to the entrance of the first tomb. If you are not in a rush take the time to walk. You will save the 3-min tram ride and save yourself LE5.

Eat
No restaurants here. Around the souvenir shops at the entrance there are drinks and snacks for sale. Opposite the grave of Ramses V/Ramses VI (KV 9) there's a seating area where you can sit down and eat your snacks.

Sleep
There are no opportunities of accommodation in the Valley of the Kings. After evening closing it is not allowed to tourists to enter this area.

There are many accommodations at Luxor East and Luxor West banks.

Cope

 * Bringing your own small torch to gently illuminate some of the more obscure reliefs is always a good idea.
 * Watch out for the guards in the tombs that may offer to take your picture (which is against the rules) for some baksheesh. If they get your camera they can take any sort of picture, then  report you to the authorities, which is a big hassle. A camera flash in a tomb will alert the guards to picture taking that is strictly forbidden. You will be given the choice of leaving the site (not just that tomb) or paying a second admission fee.
 * Hiking back over the mountain into the valley (Valley of the Queens, etc.) is not allowed anymore and will be prevented by the many policemen standing around.
 * Carry a bottle of water with you, if heading to the Western Valley of Kings, especially in summer, as there are no water vendors.
 * Do not venture into the narrow Western Valley, if it appears that there may be an exceedingly rare rainstorm - you will probably not survive the ensuing flash flood as it races through the valley.

Go next
Visitors to the Valley of the Kings may also visit Luxor's West Bank.