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Attraction

The Valley of the Kings

Luxor · Egypt

  • Valley of the Kings
  • Luxor
  • Tutankhamun
  • Ramses II
  • Seti I
  • Egyptian Tombs
  • New Kingdom
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Egypt Archaeology
  • Egypt Tours
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Enter the legendary Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank, where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in richly decorated tombs. Discover the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian royalty.

Discover the Legendary West Bank of Luxor Step into the world of the pharaohs on a private tour of the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon on Luxor's West Bank. This fascinating experience takes you into the ancient necropolis of Thebes, where powerful New Kingdom rulers were buried in elaborately decorated rock-cut tombs. Explore the legendary Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun and Ramesses III. Continue to the spectacular Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, one of Egypt's most distinctive ancient monuments, before stopping at the enormous Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that have welcomed travelers to the West Bank for centuries. With a private Egyptologist, discover the stories behind the tombs, temples, pharaohs and religious beliefs that shaped ancient Egyptian civilization.
The Valley of the Kings[teal]Enter the Royal Necropolis of Ancient Thebes[/orange] Your first major stop is the Valley of the Kings, one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt. Hidden among the rugged hills on Luxor's West Bank, the valley served as a royal burial ground during the New Kingdom, approximately from the 16th to 11th centuries BCE. Instead of constructing enormous pyramids, New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in concealed rock-cut tombs in an attempt to protect their royal burials and treasures from ancient tomb robbers. More than 60 known tombs and burial chambers have been identified in the valley.
Why Was the Valley of the Kings Built?The royal necropolis developed during a period when Egyptian rulers increasingly favored hidden underground tombs rather than monumental pyramids. The surrounding cliffs provided a naturally protected landscape. The location was also symbolically important because the western side of the Nile was associated with the setting sun and the realm of the dead. Ancient Egyptians believed the journey through the afterlife was an essential part of existence, and the tombs were designed to help the deceased king achieve eternal life.
Explore the Ancient Royal TombsYour entrance ticket generally provides access to a selection of the tombs open on the day of your visit. Each tomb can offer a different experience. Inside, you may see: •               Hieroglyphic inscriptions •               Painted walls •               Religious texts •               Images of Egyptian gods •               Scenes from the afterlife •               Royal figures •               Burial chambers •               Astronomical imagery Your Egyptologist can explain the meaning behind the scenes and the religious texts represented on the walls.
Tomb of TutankhamunDiscover the Boy King One of the valley's most famous tombs is KV62, the tomb of Tutankhamun. Although Tutankhamun was a relatively minor king compared with some of Egypt's great rulers, the discovery of his largely intact tomb in 1922 made him one of the most famous pharaohs in modern history. The tomb was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter. The extraordinary treasures found inside—including the famous golden burial mask—helped transform Tutankhamun into a global symbol of ancient Egypt. The original treasures are now displayed primarily in Cairo, while the tomb itself remains in the Valley of the Kings. Important: Tutankhamun's tomb normally requires a separate additional ticket.
Tomb of Ramesses IIIThe tomb of Ramesses III is another important royal burial in the Valley of the Kings. It is known for its richly decorated corridors and religious scenes. The tomb contains imagery connected with the pharaoh's journey through the afterlife and provides an excellent example of New Kingdom funerary decoration.
Tombs of the PharaohsThe Valley of the Kings contains tombs associated with numerous rulers and members of the royal family. Depending on the current opening schedule, your guide can recommend the most interesting tombs available for your visit. Popular tombs may include those associated with: •               Ramesses III •               Ramesses IV •               Ramesses IX •               Merenptah •               Seti I •               Tutankhamun Availability and additional entrance requirements can change.
The Journey to the AfterlifeThe decoration inside the royal tombs reflects the ancient Egyptian belief that the pharaoh had to successfully navigate the underworld. Religious texts such as the Book of the Dead, Amduat and Book of Gates contain instructions, prayers and imagery associated with the journey into the afterlife. Your Egyptologist can explain the symbolism behind the painted scenes and show how the tomb decoration was connected to ancient Egyptian beliefs about death and resurrection.
The Three West Bank Highlights TogetherThe three attractions tell different parts of the story of ancient Egypt. Valley of the Kings The Royal Afterlife Explore the hidden tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs and learn about Egyptian beliefs concerning death and resurrection. Temple of Hatshepsut The Power of the Pharaoh Discover the monumental temple of one of Egypt's most remarkable female rulers. Colossi of Memnon The Monumental King Stand before the enormous statues of Amenhotep III and discover the remains of his once-great mortuary temple. Together, they create an excellent introduction to the history and archaeology of Luxor's West Bank.
Recommended Private Tour Itinerary[teal]Pickup from Your Luxor Hotel[/orange] Your private Egyptologist and air-conditioned vehicle will collect you from your hotel in Luxor. Cross the Nile toward the West Bank and begin your archaeological adventure. Stop 1 – Valley of the Kings Explore the royal necropolis. Visit the tombs included with your standard entrance ticket and learn about: •               New Kingdom pharaohs •               Royal burial traditions •               Ancient Egyptian gods •               The afterlife •               Funerary texts •               Tomb decoration Optional: Add the separately ticketed tomb of Tutankhamun or other special tombs when available. Stop 2 – Temple of Hatshepsut Continue to Deir el-Bahari. Explore the terraces and colonnades of Hatshepsut's temple and learn about: •               Queen Hatshepsut •               Her reign •               The expedition to Punt •               Divine kingship •               Amun •               New Kingdom architecture Stop 3 – Colossi of Memnon Stop at the two enormous statues of Amenhotep III. Your Egyptologist will explain: •               Who Amenhotep III was •               The original mortuary temple •               Why the statues are called "Memnon" •               The famous ancient stories surrounding the statues This is also an excellent location for photographs. Return to Luxor After completing the tour, your private vehicle will return you to your hotel or another agreed location in Luxor. The tour can also be incorporated into a Nile cruise itinerary, airport transfer or wider Egypt private tour.
What Can You See at the Valley of the Kings?•               Royal rock-cut tombs •               New Kingdom funerary decoration •               Hieroglyphic inscriptions •               Religious texts •               Tombs of famous pharaohs •               Tutankhamun's tomb, with additional ticket •               Tomb of Ramesses III •               Tombs of other New Kingdom rulers
Why Visit Luxor's West Bank?Luxor's West Bank is one of the world's most important archaeological landscapes. Here you can experience the complete story of ancient Egyptian royal traditions: Pharaoh → Temple → Tomb → Afterlife The Valley of the Kings reveals how rulers prepared for eternity. Hatshepsut's temple demonstrates the power of royal architecture and religious symbolism. The Colossi of Memnon demonstrate the enormous scale of royal monuments during the 18th Dynasty.
Private Egyptologist ExperienceYour private Egyptologist can explain the monuments in context rather than simply identifying what you see. Learn about: •               Ancient Egyptian pharaohs •               New Kingdom history •               Royal burial traditions •               Egyptian mythology •               The ancient Egyptian afterlife •               Hatshepsut's reign •               Amenhotep III •               Tutankhamun •               Ramesses III •               Ancient Egyptian architecture •               Funerary texts •               The Valley of the Kings You can also ask questions and spend additional time at the sites that interest you most.
Who Is This Tour Best For?This private West Bank experience is ideal for: •               First-time visitors to Luxor •               Ancient Egypt enthusiasts •               History lovers •               Archaeology enthusiasts •               Families •               Couples •               Photography enthusiasts •               Nile cruise passengers •               Travelers staying in Luxor •               Travelers interested in pharaohs and royal tombs •               Visitors wanting a classic Luxor experience
West Bank Tour Highlights•               Explore the legendary Valley of the Kings •               Enter ancient royal tombs •               Learn about Tutankhamun •               See New Kingdom funerary art •               Visit Hatshepsut's magnificent temple •               Discover the story of Egypt's famous female pharaoh •               See reliefs depicting the expedition to Punt •               Visit the Colossi of Memnon •               See the monumental statues of Amenhotep III •               Learn about the ancient Theban necropolis •               Travel with a private Egyptologist •               Enjoy private air-conditioned transportation •               Customize the sightseeing pace
Practical InformationLocation All three attractions are located on Luxor's West Bank, making them ideal to visit together. Duration Allow approximately 5–7 hours, depending on the number of tombs visited, site access and your preferred pace. Transportation Private air-conditioned transportation is provided throughout the tour. Guide An English-speaking Egyptologist can accompany the tour. Other languages can be arranged upon request and may involve an additional charge. Entrance Tickets Entrance fees depend on the current official ticket structure. The standard Valley of the Kings ticket generally covers a specified number of tombs. Tutankhamun's tomb and certain special tombs require additional tickets.
Best Time to VisitAn early morning start is highly recommended. The West Bank can become very hot, especially during the summer months. An early visit provides more comfortable temperatures and can make walking between the archaeological areas much more enjoyable.
What to Bring•               Comfortable walking shoes •               Hat •               Sunglasses •               Sunscreen •               Drinking water •               Camera •               Light clothing •               Small amount of cash •               Passport or identification if required for ticketing
Combine Your West Bank Tour with Other Luxor AttractionsFor travelers with additional time, this experience can be extended with: •               Ramesseum •               Medinet Habu •               Valley of the Queens •               Deir al-Medina •               Tombs of the Nobles •               Karnak Temple •               Luxor Temple •               Dendera Temple •               Abydos Temple You can also combine the West Bank sightseeing with a Luxor hot air balloon experience for a memorable sunrise view over the Nile Valley.
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon with Explore Plus HolidaysWalk through the ancient royal necropolis of Thebes and discover the tombs where New Kingdom pharaohs prepared for eternity. Stand beneath the dramatic cliffs of Deir el-Bahari at the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut, then finish your West Bank adventure in front of the enormous Colossi of Memnon. With a private Egyptologist, uncover the stories of Tutankhamun, Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III and the great pharaohs of the New Kingdom.
Book Your Private Luxor West Bank TourDiscover the Tombs, Temples and Giants of Ancient Thebes Explore three of Luxor's most important archaeological treasures in one private experience. Book your private Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon tour with Explore Plus Holidays and experience the legendary West Bank of Luxor.

Good To Know

What is the Valley of the Kings?+
The Valley of the Kings is an ancient royal necropolis on Luxor''s West Bank where numerous New Kingdom pharaohs were buried.
Can I enter the tombs in the Valley of the Kings?+
Yes. Visitors can enter selected tombs with the appropriate admission ticket, while some famous tombs require an additional ticket.
Is Tutankhamun''s tomb open to visitors?+
Tutankhamun''s tomb can be visited when open under current archaeological regulations and requires an additional ticket.
How long should I spend at the Valley of the Kings?+
Allow around 2-3 hours, depending on the number of tombs you visit.
What is the best time to visit the Valley of the Kings?+
Early morning is usually preferable because the valley can become very hot later in the day.
Can I visit the Valley of the Kings with Hatshepsut Temple?+
Yes. These two West Bank attractions are commonly included in the same Luxor excursion.

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