Why would Egypt’s mightiest pharaohs swap towering pyramids for a hidden desert canyon? The Valley of the Kings holds the answer: 63 tombs cut into Luxor’s West Bank cliffs, still painted in colours that glow after 3,000 years. Here is how to see the best of them without wasting a single ticket.
Which Three Tombs Should You Pick With One Ticket?
Pick one tomb for colour, one for scale and one for the story. That formula works for almost every first visit.
Not every tomb is open every day. The antiquities authorities rotate them to protect the paint, so confirm the list at the gate.
| Tomb | Why it earns a place on your list |
|---|---|
| Ramesses VI (KV9) | Star-filled ceilings and the densest decoration in the valley |
| Ramesses III (KV11) | Bright, well-kept wall colours and quirky side chambers |
| Merenptah (KV8) | A long descent and a huge granite sarcophagus chamber |
| Seti I (KV17) | The finest carved reliefs, on a separate ticket when open |
| Tutankhamun (KV62) | A small tomb with big history, also on a separate ticket |
A standard ticket covers three tombs. A few headline tombs, including Tutankhamun’s, are sold separately at the gate.
Ready to skip the guesswork? Explore our private Valley of the Kings tour and let a Luxor guide choose the best open tombs for you.
The Mountain That Replaced the Pyramid
Look up from the valley floor and you will see a natural pyramid of rock. Al-Qurn, “the Horn”, towers over the royal burials and gave the pharaohs a pyramid they never had to build.
Egyptians believed the peak sheltered Meretseger, the cobra goddess whose name means “She Who Loves Silence”. She guarded the Theban necropolis, and tomb workers prayed to her for protection.
There was a practical reason too. Pyramids advertised treasure, and robbers emptied them for centuries. A tomb cut deep into the rock, with a hidden entrance, was far harder to find. Royal burials here continued for roughly four centuries.
Today the Theban Mapping Project documents every known tomb in the valley, from grand royal chambers to small unfinished pits.
The Step Hidden Under Workers’ Huts
Howard Carter found Tutankhamun’s tomb in November 1922 because he dug beneath the ruins of ancient workmen’s huts. The first step lay under them, buried and forgotten for over three thousand years.
The boy king’s tomb is modest. His gold mask and treasures now sit in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, but Tutankhamun himself still rests here, in a glass case in his burial chamber. Read more in our guide to Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Guide’s tip: visit Tutankhamun’s tomb last. After the grander tombs, its small size feels moving rather than disappointing.
Want the stories behind every doorway? Join one of our Luxor day tours and see the West Bank at an unhurried pace.
A Half-Day Plan That Beats the Heat
Arrive at opening time and you will almost have the tombs to yourself. By mid-morning the tour buses roll in, and the corridors turn warm and crowded.
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Enter the valley and visit your first two tombs |
| 7:30 am | Your third tomb, then Tutankhamun’s tomb last |
| 8:45 am | Hatshepsut Temple, ten minutes away |
| 10:15 am | Colossi of Memnon photo stop |
| 10:45 am | Deir el-Medina or the Valley of the Queens for a quieter finish |
- Wear closed shoes. The ramps are steep and polished by millions of feet.
- Carry water, but leave it outside. Food and drink are not allowed in the tombs.
- Skip the flash. Photography rules change, so ask at the gate.
Valley of the Kings: Questions Travellers Actually Ask
Do I need a guide to visit the tombs in the Valley of the Kings?
A guide is not required, but it helps. Rules limit explanations inside the tombs, so good guides brief you at the entrance and tell you what to look for.
Why is it so hot and stuffy inside the tombs?
Thousands of breaths raise the heat and humidity, which damages the paint. Early visits keep the air cooler and the colours safer.
What should I wear for a day in the Valley of the Kings?
Wear light, breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees, plus grippy closed shoes. Add a hat and sunscreen for the walk outside.
Can children or visitors with limited mobility explore the Valley of the Kings?
Yes, with planning. A small tram runs from the visitor centre to the entrance, but most tombs have steep ramps and stairs. Ask your guide for the shortest open tombs.
Your Valley of the Kings, Done Right
Choose three tombs, arrive early and save Tutankhamun for last. Do that, and the valley rewards you with silence, colour and a little awe. Message El Sultan Travel on WhatsApp and we will plan your West Bank day.
