Valley of the Kings

Before beginning our tour our guide asked us to come up with a name. Bill had traveled extensively around the Middle East before and he suggested the name Ishna Allah (translates to God Willing) since it's a common theme in the Middle East. For example, "My flight leaves at 9am, Ishna Allah".

On the west bank of the Nile across from Luxor is one of the most famous sites in Egypt, the Valley of the Kings. Many Pharaohs had their burial chambers hidden in the dry desolate valley in this area. Although most of the tombs had been emptied by tomb robbers over the millennia the surprising find of King Tut Ankh Amom's completely in-tact burial chamber makes one wonder what kind of treasures were in the other tombs of more important Pharaohs.

The Valley of the Kings is only about a 30 minute drive from downtown Luxor. There you will find a welcome center with a cool clear plastic model of the Valley showing the tombs in 3D in relation to the mountain. There is also a very informative video about the discovery of King Tut's tomb.

Most of the tombs have very elaborate carvings and inscriptions covering the walls and ceilings. The tombs that were rushed due to the sudden death of a King have little or no carvings and have only paintings. You are only allowed to see three tombs in a visit and you can pick any three that are open to the public at the time. King Tut's tomb is a separate ticket but it's not that interesting.

It's a very crowded place with thousands of tourists everywhere. Since there have been high profile terrorist attacks in this area there are also a LOT of heavily armed uniformed and plain clothes security officers.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture
This is the house of Howard Carter who found King Tut's tomb.	We're here and ready to go look at tombs.	Cool plastic 3D model of the tombs.
We took these little trains up to the entrance.	The valley with the pyramid shaped mountain.	Plenty of armed security to make the tourists feel safe.
Entering a tomb.	Chinese writing in this tomb.	A hastily completed tomb but still lots of paint still there.
	The tomb of Rameses IV?	Carmen makes friends with guards.
	Lid of the sarcophagus of Merneptah.	Lily hangs with the Tourist Police.
A tricky entrance to one of the tombs.	Sheer cliffs above the valley.	We're at King Tut's tomb.
Entrance to King Tut's tomb has information about the great discovery.	Bill and Carmen at King Tut's tomb.	Walk like an Egyptian?

Comments From People Like You! Valley of the Kings : Luxor, Egypt 2007	add a comment
Carmen 01-Mar-2007 22:44
On the way home, there was a movie on one of the channels that I watched called "Inch Allah" - How appropriate! It was a foreign flick with subtitles but I KNOW what "inch allah" meant!!

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