How many tombs are in the Valley of the Kings?

More than 60 royal tombs have been discovered, cut deep into the rock on Luxor's West Bank, their painted walls still vivid after 3,000 years. The standard ticket lets you enter three; Seti I, Nefertari and Tutankhamun's tomb require separate tickets.

How much does a Valley of the Kings excursion cost?

Private excursions in Valley of the Kings start from £80 per person, with the exact rate depending on the itinerary, group size and season. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.

Are your Valley of the Kings excursions private?

Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Valley of the Kings hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.

When is the best time to visit Valley of the Kings?

October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Valley of the Kings year-round.

Is it safe, and are families welcome?

Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.

Guided visits to the Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings Excursions

Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramesses VI – tomb interiors with our Egyptologist on Luxor's West Bank

LengthHalf day

From£65 / person

PickupHotel or Nile cruise included

GuideEgyptologist

By the Discovery Tours Egypt desk

The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank holds more than 60 royal tombs cut deep into the rock, their painted walls still vivid 3,000 years on. A day tour gets you inside a rotating selection – Ramesses VI and Seti I are the showstoppers – with optional access to Tutankhamun's tomb, and a private Egyptologist decoding the funerary texts as you go.

The best excursion in Valley of the Kings is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.

Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988

What you'll see

Valley of the Kings, in the order that makes sense

A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.

Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62)

The only royal tomb found nearly intact, and the one that made headlines in 1922. Small but extraordinary – the boy king's gilded outermost coffin and his mummy still rest here, in the Valley itself.

~30 minSeparate ticket

The painted tombs

Behind plain doorways in the cliff, corridors plunge into colour – ceilings of stars, walls of gods and spells from the Book of the Dead, the pigment as vivid as the day it was laid 3,000 years ago.

~2 hrs3 tombs included

Hatshepsut's temple nearby

A few minutes away, the three terraces of Hatshepsut's mortuary temple rise against the same cliff that hides the royal tombs – most West Bank days pair the two.

~1 hrDeir el-Bahari

Seti I (KV17)

The longest and most finely decorated tomb in the Valley – every surface carved and painted, the ceiling a deep-blue astronomical chart. A separate ticket, and worth every penny.

~30 minSeparate ticket

Ramesses VI (KV9)

One of the most spectacular open tombs – a long, bright corridor beneath a double image of the sky-goddess Nut swallowing and rebirthing the sun. On the standard ticket when open.

~30 minStandard ticket

Every Valley of the Kings excursions

Ways to spend the day

Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.

West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon

This private half-day tour visits Luxor’s West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el‑Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. We provide a local Egyptologist and a private car; standard site entrance fees are included. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I are excluded and require separate tickets. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and run small private departures rather than large coach groups. Unlike cruise-ship shore excursions, we schedule early starts to avoid the morning boats and midday heat. Expect uneven ancient stone and limited shade; comfortable shoes and a hat are essential.

From £80

Luxor Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Flight

Float over Luxor West Bank at first light; the flight gives aerial views of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Hotel collection is typically between 04:00 and 05:00 depending on season; you receive a short safety briefing and watch the balloon inflate. We reschedule flights rather than fly in marginal winds – a safety-first policy. Unlike cruise-boat excursions, our ride includes private hotel transfers before dawn and a small-group briefing by one of our Egyptologists. Expect an early start and occasional cancellations for wind; launch and landing areas have limited shade and uneven ground. The flight ticket and transfers are included; breakfast on landing and gratuities are excluded unless stated.

From £90

Know before you go

The practical bits

What to wear

Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.

Tipping

Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.

Heat & water

Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.

Cameras & fees

A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.

Questions we hear most