Royal tombs
Painted corridors preserve some of ancient Egypt's most vivid funerary art.
West Bank, Luxor
Valley of the Kings
A desert that holds its silence.
A Story in Stone
Royal burial grounds hidden from the Nile, carved into the limestone of the West Bank.
For five centuries, New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in this remote valley. Their tombs descend through painted corridors toward chambers conceived for an eternal royal afterlife.
Sixty-three tombs have been discovered. Those open to visitors reveal extraordinary artistry, colour and changing ideas about the journey beyond death.
Image Story
Location in the Journey
Practical Note
The valley is best visited early, before the heat builds. Access involves uneven ground and photography restrictions apply inside many tombs.
Tutankhamun
The compact burial chamber retains its decorated walls and outer sarcophagus.
Valley of the Queens
A nearby valley includes the celebrated tomb of Queen Nefertari.
Next along the Route