Egypt Discovery
From per personOn Request
Attraction Luxor

Valley of the Nobles, Luxor

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Valley of the Nobles Entry Ticket is a 1-day attraction ticket covering the tomb area of New Kingdom officials and nobles in Luxor, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Luxor

Best time to go

The most comfortable months are generally October through April, when daytime temperatures in Luxor are milder and walking conditions are better. From May to September, heat can be intense by late morning, so early arrival is recommended. During Ramadan and major Egyptian holidays, opening hours and last admission may be adjusted, so checking official notices before travel is advisable.

02 Overview

A first look

The Valley of the Nobles contains New Kingdom tombs of officials and craftsmen on Luxor’s West Bank. It forms part of the Theban Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979.

Background

The facts

The Valley of the Nobles is a burial area on Luxor’s West Bank used mainly by officials, administrators, and aristocrats during the New Kingdom, especially from the 18th to 20th Dynasties. Unlike royal burial valleys, it contains tombs of non-royal elites whose decorated chambers preserve scenes of daily life, offerings, funerary rituals, and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

The site is located within the Theban Necropolis, west of the Nile from modern Luxor. It is reached from the West Bank road system and is usually visited together with other archaeological areas such as the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and nearby temple sites; distances between major West Bank attractions are relatively short by road, but walking inside each site is limited to marked visitor routes.

This admission ticket grants access to the tomb area and the visitor route defined by the site authority. The exact tombs open to the public can change, and some chambers may be closed for conservation work, so the accessible tomb selection may differ by date. Visitors should expect security screening at the entrance gate and should keep their ticket available for inspection.

Opening hours and last admission can vary seasonally and may change during holidays or maintenance periods. The best visit times are typically early morning, when temperatures are lower and visitor numbers are lighter, especially between October and April. Summer visits require preparation for high heat, and during Ramadan or public holidays, hours may be shorter or adjusted.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This ticket is suitable for independent travelers who want to explore ancient tomb decoration at their own pace, especially visitors interested in New Kingdom art, funerary archaeology, and inscriptions. It also works well for adults and older children who are comfortable with walking on uneven ground and can manage sun exposure in an open archaeological setting.

What lingers

  • 01 Valley of the Nobles (Luxor West Bank) – open-air necropolis of private tombs including Sheikh Abd el-Qurna sector.
  • 02 Our Egyptologists recommend an early-morning visit to avoid heat; limited shade and steep, uneven stone steps in tombs.
  • 03 Entrance ticket covers general necropolis access; premium tombs with extra fees are excluded unless explicitly requested.
  • 04 Photography is usually permitted inside tombs; flash is prohibited and low light can affect picture quality.
  • 05 Unlike cruise-ship stopovers, we allocate 90–120 minutes here so you can study painted reliefs without rushing.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Valley of the Nobles entry ticket (as specified at booking)

Not included

  • Professional guide, audio guide, or commentary (book separately if required)
  • Transport to and from the site
  • Meals and personal expenses
  • Photography permit if required by the site authority
  • Printed ticket, when required by the venue (check before arrival)

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What is the Valley of the Nobles?
    The Valley of the Nobles is a group of New Kingdom private tombs on Luxor's West Bank. The site lies within the Theban Necropolis, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis" (1987). Tomb decoration emphasises daily life, religious texts and funerary rites; notable tombs include Rekhmire, Ramose and Nakht, among others.
  2. 02 How long should I allow to visit the Valley of the Nobles?
    Plan 1.5–3 hours for a meaningful visit, depending on how many tombs you enter. Walking between clusters of tombs and stopping to read wall scenes takes time; a private visit with one of our Egyptologists is paced to your interest. We do not compress this site into a 60–90 minute bus stop like many shore excursions.
  3. 03 Which tombs are open to visitors at the Valley of the Nobles?
    Open tombs vary; Rekhmire, Ramose and Nakht are commonly available to visitors. The Antiquities authorities rotate openings for conservation, and individual tombs may close without long notice. We check the day's openings before travel and adjust the itinerary or suggest alternatives on the West Bank.
  4. 04 Are entrance fees and guides included?
    Standard site entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise on your booking confirmation. Guided visits with one of our Egyptologists are usually included for private bookings; specialist interiors or conservation-access areas can carry separate charges. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange tickets, timing and local logistics to minimise queueing.
  5. 05 Can I take photos inside the tombs?
    Photography without flash is generally allowed in most tombs; flash and tripods are often prohibited. Restrictions change per tomb for conservation reasons, so our guide will confirm the rules on arrival. Professional equipment may need an additional permit from the Antiquities authorities.
  6. 06 Is the Valley of the Nobles suitable for guests with limited mobility?
    The site has uneven stone paths, steps and some steep slopes; it is not fully wheelchair accessible. Short distances can be managed with a sturdy mobility aid and assistance, but many tomb entrances and interiors are inaccessible to wheelchairs. Tell us in advance so we can plan shorter routes, alternative viewpoints or arrange extra assistance.
  7. 07 What should I wear and bring for a visit to the Valley of the Nobles?
    Wear sturdy walking shoes and sun protection; shade is limited across the site. Bring a water bottle, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and light layers for changing temperatures; modest dress is recommended at archaeological sites. Also carry a small torch or use your phone for low-light tomb interiors if allowed by the site rules.

Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: TKT-LUX-825379

You Might Also Like

Abu Simbel Temples, AswanAswan

Abu Simbel Temples, Aswan

Abu Simbel lies about 280 km south of Aswan and is reached by a 40‑minute flight or a 3.5–4 hour road transfer. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange private early flights and timed private‑car arrivals so clients avoid coach crowds and the hottest hours. The twin sites are the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari, moved to higher ground between 1964 and 1968 during an international relocation campaign and included in the Nubian Monuments UNESCO listing. Trade‑offs: a same‑day return requires an early start and either a long road journey or a small‑plane seat; shade is limited on the forecourt.

Abu Simbel Temples – Sun Festival (22 Feb / 22 Oct)Aswan

Abu Simbel Temples – Sun Festival (22 Feb / 22 Oct)

See the twice-yearly solar alignment at Abu Simbel on 22 February or 22 October when sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary. The twin rock temples were carved for Ramses II and honour Amun‑Re and Ra. They were moved in 1964–1968 and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae'. Abu Simbel is approximately 280 km south of Aswan (about 3.5 hours by road). We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can arrange timed-entry tickets, private road transfers and an Egyptologist briefing when available. Unlike same-day coach runs, we recommend an overnight in Aswan to avoid very early road departures and rushed visits; expect limited shade at the forecourt and large crowds on festival dates.

Al-Moez Street Entry TicketCairo

Al-Moez Street Entry Ticket

Al-Moez Street is a medieval Cairo thoroughfare lined with Fatimid and Mamluk-era monuments, gates and historic façades. This admission grants access to the pedestrianised street and its visible monuments, including views toward Bab Zuweila and the Mosque of Al-Hakim. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the ticket and send it to you by email as a PDF after booking. Unlike a museum admission, the street is an open historic quarter rather than a single indoor site, so visiting times are flexible but subject to seasonal opening hours and special events.