The Valley of the Kings: What to Expect on Your Visit
You get an amazing opportunity if you get to explore Egypt. The ancient Egyptian civilization will surely make your trip memorable and worthy. You will make most of the trip with one of the famous spots, the Valley of the Kings.
So, excited to explore? Then don’t make delays anymore and start planning now! Read this article to learn about the must visiting spots and make your trip a memorable one!
Must-See Tombs and Attractions
There are almost 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. It is not possible to visit all the tombs. And not every tomb is in good condition also in present times. Some popular tombs are preserved for tourists that make the visit worthy.
Let us know the tombs below.
Ramses IV (KV2)
This is a great introduction to the Valley of the Kings. It is built as a long passage that reaches into an impressive vault.
The vault is the highlight of the tomb. It was converted from a pillared hall when Rameses IV died. You will get to see various art around the tomb. The ceiling also contains art.
The view will make your day beautiful while starting your exploration.
Tutankhamun (KV62)
It is one of the most popular of all the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The tomb is smaller than all others. It is so because it is believed to be the reason for his premature death.
The wall art contains 12 baboons that signifies the midnight hours on a wall. The tomb comes in red granite. You are not allowed to walk around it and cannot see the art up close. The mummy makes the tomb unique among all.
You can see the mummified body on display at the bottom of the staircase.
Seti I (KV17)
This is the most expensive tomb among others in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. You may get high expectations after hearing this. This will fill your expectations also. The tomb is huge and opens into the valley.
The paintings in the tomb are preserved in the valley. You will get a great atmospheric experience with the low lighting.
You will get a staircase which is covered in hieroglyphs. It crosses a sharp pitfall to the first vault. The pillared room contains art on a white background next to a room covered in stencils. You get to see the paintings closely by this.
The second staircase leads to a golden burial chamber with intricate art. It will take time to explore the tomb. Take your time and experience this tomb fully.
Merenptah
This tomb is one of the quietest in the first section of the valley. Maximum art is spoiled there but you will see interesting sections of hieroglyphs and paintings. The tomb is huge and has a long corridor leading to 2 chambers.
The first vault contains the lid of the tomb with a mirror below it. This shows a carving of the goddess Nut. The other corridor that ends at the chamber has a huge base in it. The chamber is huge, containing a cathedral-like feel to it.
Now that you have got the list to visit, let’s now know the traveling process below.
Required Documents for Your Travel
You must know that you need a visa to arrive in Egypt via plane. Let us know which visa to get for the Valley of the Kings tour now.
You have to apply for an Egypt visa online for tourism purposes. You will get the document in eVisa form as you will apply for it online. This digital travel tool will act as an alternative to traditional visas.
You need to belong from some specific country to apply for this eVisa. Check if you belong from any of those countries here.
If you are eligible, then the next step to do is to apply for it with the required documents. The documents include the following:
- A passport with at least 6 months validity after your departure
- Passport size photos
- A complete and detailed travel itinerary
- An email ID
- Debit or credit card.
Collect all these required documents and apply for the eVisa in the next step. It includes filling an application form in the Egypt eVisa portal. Let us know about it in detail.
You have to create an account using the portal. Fill in the details as required to avoid making any mistakes. Provide all the details correctly. Upload the required documents step by step and do not miss any point.
Check all the details twice before taking the next step. Make payment after checking all details properly. Use a valid debit or credit card for the payment. Submit your form and wait to receive a confirmation through the submitted mail.
The processing time takes up to 4 days for the visa. After that you will receive your visa and start heading to your journey.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Let us now get an overview of the things to expect while you reach the place.
The Valley of the Kings in Egypt is a historic place that was built over a 500 year period. If you like historical places, then you will love this place for sure.
The purpose of the place was very simple at that time. It wanted to provide a more secure location for the remains of its holiest citizens like noble families and pharaohs.
Archaeologists have discovered many tombs that you would love to explore. The limestone tunnels are all over the Valley of the Kings architecture. You will get more details of the place when you reach there.
The tour will treat you with almost 18 viewable tombs. You get to explore them on a rotating basis. The way is so because it helps preserve the engravings and paintings from chemical and mechanical weathering.
Though you get to explore the beautiful and mesmerizing things, you can not capture them in your digital lenses. Because flash photography is not allowed in the tombs.
You can take pictures only if you have the special photography pass with you. You get the pass while collecting the tickets to the tombs. Review the rules before you get there to avoid any issues.
The tombs inside the Valley of the Kings are spectacular and spooky. The walls of Tutankhamun tomb represent the passage from the realm of the living. This ensures the pharaoh traveled safely through the afterlife.
You will also come across other surrounding attractions during the trip to the Valley of the Kings. Sites like the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon are close to the Valley of the Kings. If you get the time, then you can visit these places and make memories besides the memories of tombs.
Tips for an Unforgettable Visit
You should consider some tips to make the most of your experience in the valley.
Arrange your tickets in advance to avoid possible queues. Choose the tombs that interest you. As you will get a limited time, you can not visit every tomb.
Carry water and snacks while exploring. This will help you stay energetic during the trip.
Check if the area you are capturing through your camera lens are restricted or not. Maintain the rules and regulations to avoid any issues.
Let’s Go Back in Time
The Valley of the Kings in Egypt offers an attractive journey through time, revealing the grandeur and benefits of the ancient civilization. As you dive into the history of the royal tomb, you will get a deeper understanding of the pharaohs and the civilisation they ruled.
Apply for an Egypt visa online and embark on your journey now!
Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight.