Luxor Airport to Valley of the Kings

The Valley is located on the west bank of the Nile River, opposite Luxor, in the heart of the Necropolis of Thebes. The Valley of the Kings is an area that bears the deepest traces of Egypt’s historical and cultural heritage. It continues to fascinate visitors from around the world. Located on the west bank of the Nile River opposite Luxor, this isolated area is more than just a valley of red rocks scorched by the sun. For nearly 500 years, from the 16th to the 11th century BC, the tombs of 63 pharaohs remained hidden in this valley. During this time, the Valley of the Kings was the final resting place of Egypt’s most powerful rulers and important members of the royal family. Today, the Valley of the Kings and its surroundings were recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1979 as the Theban Necropolis.

The discovery of the Valley of the Kings began in 1922 with excavations by the famous archaeologist Howard Carter. During these excavations, perhaps one of the greatest archaeological breakthroughs of all time was made: Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb and the priceless treasures inside. The astonishing finds in Tutankhamun’s tomb sparked worldwide interest and made the Valley of the Kings a center of attraction for history and archaeology enthusiasts. Since then, excavations in the area have continued and restoration work is still ongoing in some areas.

The Valley of the Kings is not only a cemetery, but also a sanctuary, reflecting Ancient Egypt’s deep religious beliefs and understanding of life. Ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaohs would continue to live in the afterlife with the gods. For this reason, the tombs built for the pharaohs were sacred spaces prepared not only for the preservation of their dead bodies, but also to ensure their eternal life in the afterlife. Tombs involved mummifying the deceased and leaving special objects, food and drink. These objects were considered essential to ensure the survival of the dead in the afterlife. Relatives and servants of the royal family were also buried together in the tombs.

The reason for choosing the Valley of the Kings is also deeply meaningful. It is located on the west bank of the Nile, and in Egyptian mythology, the west is synonymous with death and funeral rites. Ra, the sun god, dies in the west and is reborn in the east. For this reason, the west was considered a symbol of death and eternal life. The cemeteries in the valley were built in the west direction based on this belief. Also, the pyramid-shaped hills in the valley are considered symbols of rebirth and eternal life. This sacred area also encompasses a region considered the “Lady of the West”, associated with the funeral rites of the goddess Hathor.

The isolated nature of the valley is another important reason why it was chosen as the final resting place of the pharaohs. Tomb robberies were common in ancient times. The thefts of the pyramids of the Old and Middle Kingdom led Egyptians to hide their tombs in deserted desert valleys and underground. The New Kingdom period saw the reign of Egypt’s most powerful rulers. The Valley of the Kings became a safe haven for the tombs of the pharaohs. Tutmose I, the first New Kingdom ruler, was the first pharaoh to be buried in the Valley of the Kings and his tomb was excavated in secrecy.

Each of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings was built with great care. These tombs are decorated with religious texts that once symbolized the safe passage of the dead into the afterlife. The earliest tombs contained the Amduat, which describes the sun god’s nocturnal journey, but over time, the walls of the tombs were engraved with the Book of the Gates, which describes the sun god’s passage through the gates that divide the night. In addition, texts such as the Book of Caves and the Book of Heavens, which describe the passage of the gods and the sun in the underworld, were also used in the decorations of the tombs.

The Valley of the Kings is not only a site of tombs, but also of deep traces of the religious beliefs, symbols and texts of ancient Egypt. Each tomb here once symbolized the greatness of Egypt and the pharaohs’ belief in eternal life. Today, the Valley of the Kings remains a treasure trove for history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts. If you want to discover Egypt’s glorious past, you should definitely visit the Valley of the Kings.

The Valley of the Kings is open to visitors every day from 06:00 to 17:00.

Getting to the Valley of the Kings from Luxor Airport

 

The distance between Luxor Airport (LXR) and the Valley of the Kings is 31 km. The drive between Luxor Airport (LXR) and the Valley of the Kings takes approximately 30 minutes. You can reach the Valley of the Kings from anywhere in the city by various Luxor blue-and-white taxis.

There are companies that organize day tours in Luxor city center. Tour buses are a great way to get to and from the sights of Luxor. You can learn more about the history of Luxor with guided tours.