Valley of the Kings — Complete Visitor Guide 2026

The Valley of the Kings — known in Arabic as Wadi el-Muluk — is a hidden limestone valley cut deep into the Theban cliffs on the West Bank of Luxor. For over 500 years, from approximately 1550 to 1070 BC, it served as the secret burial ground of every pharaoh of ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom: from Tuthmosis I, the first pharaoh to be buried here, to Ramesses XI, the last. Sixty-five tombs have been discovered — some containing the most elaborate painted chambers in the ancient world, their colours as vivid today as the day they were sealed. This guide, written by Ahmed Emam after 15 years of taking international visitors through the valley, tells you exactly which tombs to choose, what you will see inside and how to make the most of your time there.

Why the Pharaohs Chose This Valley

For centuries, the pharaohs of the Old and Middle Kingdoms were buried inside pyramids — and those pyramids were robbed, almost without exception. By the New Kingdom, a different approach was needed. The Valley of the Kings was chosen for three reasons: its remoteness from the Nile (accessible only through a single guarded entrance), its natural pyramid — the pyramid-shaped peak of El-Qurn (“The Horn”) which towers over the valley and was sacred to the goddess Meretseger — and the quality of its limestone, which allowed deep, smooth tunnels to be cut with precision. Despite all precautions, almost every tomb was robbed in antiquity — except one. In November 1922, the English archaeologist Howard Carter discovered a step beneath the sand and uncovered the only intact royal tomb in the valley: KV62 — the Tomb of Tutankhamun. What was inside changed our understanding of ancient Egypt forever.

Which Tombs to Visit — Ahmed Emam's Recommendations

Your standard ticket includes 3 tombs. Not all 65 are open at any one time — typically 15–20 are accessible on a given day, rotating on a schedule managed by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Here are the best choices depending on your priorities:

Should You Visit Tutankhamun's Tomb?

This is the most common question visitors ask before entering the valley. The honest answer: the tomb itself is the smallest royal tomb in the valley, with four rooms and relatively simple paintings compared to KV9 or KV11. The treasure is no longer inside — it is in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. What you see in KV62 is the painted burial chamber and the mummy of Tutankhamun himself, lying in a climate-controlled case in the outer coffin. If seeing the mummy of the pharaoh who was 19 when he died is meaningful to you, the extra ticket is worth every penny. If you have already seen the treasure at the GEM and want to maximise your time in the valley on more spectacular tombs, skip it and choose KV9 and KV11 instead. Your guide will advise based on your interests.

Practical Information

Ahmed Emam’s Insider Tips

• Arrive at 6:00 AM exactly — the first 90 minutes are extraordinary. The tombs are empty, the temperature inside is cool and the silence makes the paintings feel alive in a way that a crowded tomb does not.
• Always choose KV9 (Ramesses V & VI) if it is open — the ceiling of the burial chamber is the most visually spectacular surface in the entire valley. Stand in the burial chamber and look up.
• Your guide chooses the 3 tombs on the morning — the open tombs rotate and your Egyptologist selects the best available combination based on which ones are open and how busy each one is.
• The electric tram is optional — it saves a 10-minute walk from the ticket office to the tombs. In summer heat, take it. In cooler months, walk and your guide explains the landscape along the way.
• Do not photograph inside the tombs — it is prohibited and the guards enforce it strictly. Focus on looking and listening to your guide. The memory of the experience will outlast any photograph.
• The valley is best combined with Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon on the same morning — all three are on the West Bank and make a complete half-day. This is the standard West Bank excursion on every Nile cruise itinerary.

Valley of the Kings on a Nile Cruise

The Valley of the Kings is visited on every Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. Your cruise ship docks on the East Bank of Luxor on Day 1, and the West Bank excursion — Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon — takes place on Day 2. A private Egyptologist guide leads the entire excursion, explaining the Book of the Amduat (the “Book of What is in the Underworld”) inscribed on the tomb walls and identifying the pharaohs and gods depicted in each chamber. All entrance fees for the 3 standard tombs are included in all Best Nile Cruises packages. The Tutankhamun extra ticket can be added at the site for those who wish to visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tombs can you visit in the Valley of the Kings?

A standard ticket allows entry to 3 tombs from those open on the day. Not all 65 discovered tombs are accessible — typically 15–20 are open at any time, rotating on a managed schedule. Special tickets exist for specific tombs such as Tutankhamun (KV62) and Seti I (KV17). In a 2–3 hour visit with a guide, 3 tombs is the right number — enough to see the variety and depth without rushing or fatigue.

Is the Tomb of Tutankhamun worth visiting?

It depends on what you want. Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV62) is the smallest royal tomb in the valley and its paintings are simpler than those in KV9 or KV11. However, it is the only intact royal burial ever found and the mummy of Tutankhamun remains inside in a climate-controlled case. If standing in the presence of the actual pharaoh matters to you, it is irreplaceable. The treasure is at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza — visiting both sites gives you the complete Tutankhamun experience.

How was Tutankhamun’s tomb discovered?

On 4 November 1922, the English archaeologist Howard Carter and his team, funded by Lord Carnarvon, uncovered a cut stone step beneath the debris of the valley floor. Over the following days they cleared the staircase and found a sealed doorway. On 26 November 1922, Carter made a small hole in the outer doorway and held a candle inside. When Lord Carnarvon asked what he could see, Carter replied: “Wonderful things.” Inside was the only unrobbed royal tomb in the entire valley — 5,000 objects packed into four small rooms, including the golden shrine, three coffins nested inside each other and the solid gold death mask of the pharaoh.

What is the Valley of the Kings “curse”?

The “Curse of the Pharaohs” refers to the series of deaths that followed the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 — most notably Lord Carnarvon, who died of blood poisoning 5 months after the discovery. The story was sensationalised by the press of the time. In reality, a study of 58 people present at the tomb opening found no significant difference in life expectancy compared to the general population. Howard Carter himself lived until 1939 — 17 years after entering the tomb — and died of natural causes. The “curse” is folklore. The real protection the ancient Egyptians used was secrecy — which almost worked.

Can you visit the Valley of the Kings without a guide?

Yes — tickets are sold at the entrance and no guide is required. However, the tombs are covered in hieroglyphic texts from the Book of the Amduat, the Book of Gates and the Book of Caverns — ancient religious texts guiding the pharaoh through the underworld — which are meaningless without interpretation. Visitors who go without a guide consistently report seeing impressive paintings but understanding almost nothing. A private Egyptologist guide transforms the experience from a visual spectacle into a genuine encounter with ancient Egyptian thought. All Best Nile Cruises itineraries include a private guide for the Valley of the Kings visit.

Written by Ahmed Emam — Egypt travel specialist since 2010, founder of Around Egypt Tours. Has led over 400 guided visits to the Valley of the Kings.