Every step I take in Egypt pulls me deeper into history, but I always feel a special surge of excitement when I walk among the fiery sand and yellow cliffs of the Valley of the Kings. This is where the pharaohs embarked on their eternal journey. And in this sacred valley, there is a small gate with a very different story than the others, almost forgotten by time: Tutankhamun’s Tomb, aka KV62.
A Moment Suspended in Time: A Traveler’s Notes on Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62)
When most people think of Egypt, the first name that comes to mind is Tutankhamun. Perhaps this is because of the fascinating story of the extraordinary discovery of his treasures. But as a traveler, I wanted to see much more than the splendor of the museums displaying these legendary treasures, I wanted to see the place where they were found. KV62 is not a museum for me, it is a time capsule. The moment you step inside, you feel the weight of 3000 years on your shoulders. In this guide, I will describe this unique experience, those magical moments within the walls of KV62 and what you need to know on your way there (but only what’s special about it!).
Why is Tutankhamun’s Tomb so Unique?
The Valley of the Kings is home to the final resting place of dozens of pharaohs. Most of them have been looted over the centuries, their treasures plundered and even the colors on their walls faded. But Tutankhamun’s tomb is an anomaly precisely because of this. It was found largely intact during Howard Carter’s breathtaking discovery in 1922. Imagine a pharaoh’s tomb hidden beneath the earth for thousands of years, virtually untouched!
This sets KV62 apart from other tombs. When visiting other tombs, you see remnants of Egypt’s glorious past. In Tutankhamun’s tomb, you step into that past itself. It is not just a monument; it is the starting point of a story of discovery, the short but fascinating life of a young king and the countless treasures that surrounded him at the end of that life. For me, KV62 is the place where I can imagine those treasures, where I can visualize that moment when Howard Carter said “marvelous things”.
Stepping into KV62: The Beginning of the Experience
As you pick up your tickets at the Valley of the Kings visitor center and make your way down into the valley, you might cast your eyes around for that small, unassuming entrance. Compared to the grand, wide gates of some of the other great tombs, the entrance to KV62 looks rather plain, even unassuming. This was perhaps one of the things that kept it hidden for thousands of years.
To reach the tomb, you have to walk down a short, sloping tunnel. With each step, the heat and noise of the outside world gradually recedes. The air gets a little cooler, but more importantly, you feel as if the air is getting heavier. It’s not just a physical change; it’s a sense of temporal change. As you go down, the silence around you becomes more pronounced. It is then that you begin to realize more deeply the immense history this small space holds and the drama of discovery.
The Burial Chamber and the Presence of the King
KV62 is not one of the largest or most ornate tombs in the Valley of the Kings. In fact, it is thought to have been hastily prepared for a pharaoh who died young and unexpectedly. But it is this “hastily prepared” but miraculously preserved structure that makes the tomb unique.
After the main descent tunnel, you pass into the tomb’s various chambers. Perhaps the one you are most curious about is, of course, the Burial Chamber. This room has relatively more vivid wall paintings compared to the rest of the tomb. Here you see scenes depicting Tutankhamun’s passage to the afterlife and his reception by the gods. Unlike the complex and extensive hieroglyphs in some other tombs, the paintings in KV62 are simpler and more focused. But it is precisely this simplicity that makes them all the more poignant. The colors are still very vivid, defying thousands of years.
And of course, the heart of the Burial Chamber: Tutankhamun’s granite sarcophagus. When you enter the chamber, you see the sarcophagus in the center. Even though it is surrounded, it is an incredible feeling to stand right in front of this huge stone box. Inside the sarcophagus, his mummified body still lies, placed inside one of his golden coffins (currently protected in a glass partition). Yes, you have not heard wrong. The young pharaoh is still resting in his own tomb after 3,000 years. In other tombs, the mummies of pharaohs are either in museums or missing. But Tutankhamun is here, as if waiting to be discovered. Being in the same room with him gives you the feeling that time has stopped itself. Standing in front of that glass partition and looking at the face (mummified, of course) of a king who lived thousands of years ago… This is a moment you cannot experience in any museum.
Entrance, Annex Room and Treasure Room: The Story of the Void
Although the Graveyard Room is the most well-known part, KV62 actually consists of four rooms: The Entrance, the Annexe, the Treasury and the Burial Chamber. It was in these rooms that Howard Carter and his team saw the “marvelous things” they saw when they first stepped inside.
The vestibule is the first large room you encounter after descending into the tomb. This is where the famous golden throne, animal beds and many other items were first found. The Annex Room was a smaller room to the right of the Entrance, filled with rather randomly placed items. The Treasure Chamber, entered from the Burial Chamber, was where priceless religious and funerary items were kept, such as the statue of the god Anubis and the chest containing the king’s Canopic jars.
Today these rooms are largely empty. All the treasures are on display in museums. But for me, this emptiness makes the story all the more powerful. As I walk through the rooms, I imagine the first time Howard Carter and his team saw the objects. I visualize the golden glow of their flickering light, the silent waiting of the thousands of objects that filled the rooms. The emptiness is a testament to that historic moment and how many objects there were. Even the simple marks on the walls, the small details that indicate where things were placed, seem to me to be part of that moment of discovery.
Managing the KV62 Experience: Practical Tips
Visiting Tutankhamun’s tomb is not included in your Valley of the Kings ticket. This is the first and most important thing you need to know. You need to buy a separate ticket for KV62 at the entrance to the valley or at the visitor center. This ticket is more expensive than the standard tomb ticket in the valley, but I think it is worth every penny you pay.
- Timing: KV62 is one of the most popular tombs in the valley. To avoid the crowds, you might want to consider going as soon as the valley gates open. The early morning hours are usually the calmest.
- Photography: This is a very important point and can change frequently. In general, photography inside the tombs in the Valley of the Kings is prohibited or requires an additional photography ticket (which can be quite expensive). Even with this ticket, photography may be completely prohibited in certain tombs, such as KV62. It is best to check the most up-to-date rules before you go or ask the staff at the entrance. When I visited, it was strictly forbidden to shoot inside and this allows you to focus on really being in the moment. Put your phone in your pocket and record with your eyes.
- Temperature Inside It can be scorching outside the valley, but it is cooler inside the tomb. Still, the air inside can be stagnant and a little humid, especially when crowded. It is important to wear comfortable clothes.
- Mummy: As I mentioned earlier, Tutankhamun’s mummy is currently on display in a glass case in his tomb. If you are sensitive or uncomfortable with such things, be prepared. But for me, this was one of the most touching and surreal moments of the entire visit.
Final Thoughts A Touch of Intimacy
Tutankhamun’s Tomb was one of the most intense experiences I have had as a traveler. While in other historical sites I usually feel like a ‘spectator’, in KV62 I felt as if I was part of the great discovery, a touch closer to history. The colorful paintings on the walls, the huge sarcophagus, and above all, the presence of the young king’s mummy. This is not just a touristic trip, but a journey back 3,000 years.
As I was leaving, I thought of Howard Carter’s famous quote: “marvelous things.” Yes, the treasures may shine in museums, but the place where those “marvelous things” were found, where that moment happened, is still here, waiting quietly in this little tomb in the heart of the Valley of the Kings. And to visit here is to be part of that unique story. If you are ever in Luxor and want to say “hello” to one of Egypt’s most iconic figures up close, put KV62 at the top of your list. You won’t regret it.
