Valley of the Kings at Luxor

The Valley of the Kings sits in a remote location on the west bank of the Nile. The east bank has the spectacular temples of Karnak and Luxor, but the west bank is where the pharaohs dating back to 1500 BC are buried.

The ancients chose this hidden Valley of the Kings because they hoped to prevent the grave robbing that was done at the pyramids. However, they were unsuccessful. Of the 62 tombs found and excavated in the Valley of the Kings, only 3 were not raided, the most famous of which is the tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut). Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered by an Egyptian boy and uncovered by Howard Carter in 1922. This was the last tomb excavated (KV 62), but three additional tombs were found during this century.

Driving to the Valley of the Kings is very interesting. The area near the Nile River is green and lush, filled with crops. As you drive away from the Nile, the desert suddenly surrounds you, and limestone hills replace the floodplain. These hills are not the colorful ones of the Sinai or Wadi Rum. The Valley of the Kings is dry, hot, and desolate - perfect for a kings' secret burial ground.