Valley of the Kings - Luxor
History
Valley of the Kings in Luxor is an ancient burial site of the Pharaohs on the western bank of the River Nile. This area was a secret burial place for the Egyptian kings for nearly 500 years (16th – 11th century BC). This is where Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II, as well as queens, high priests, and other elites of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties found their last resting place.
Peak of Al-Qurn (the horn in Arabic) is the highest peak (420m) in the Theban Hills and it is close to the car park. Entrance to the complex is located after a purpose built bazaar where traders scan for incoming tourists to sell their stuff.
A model shows the location of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and also their depth and length of the chambers which are built in the hills. So far 63 tombs and chambers have been discovered in this valley. A small purpose built cars are used to transport the tourists to the entrance of the tombs. It can get very hot and with no shade and steep uphill walk can get very tricky so cars are a true blessing.
There was strictly “no photos policy” in place and I had to hand back my cameras at a security office. A security told me that I could take the photos by standing to the opposite side of the gate. In the tomb chambers, all visitors were followed by a keeper to keep on eye on them. A guy pointed to me that I shouldn’t be taking his photo. I explained to him that I was standing on the other side of the gate where security rule didn’t apply (strange things happen in Egypt).
A couple was walking but soon they realised it was too hot to walk and they asked the driver to stop for them. In 1979, this area was declared a World Heritage Site and it is very famous with the foreign tourists.
