Tour of Tutankhamun's Tomb

A question that many tourists ask is whether King Tut's tomb is open to the public. The answer is, yes, the tomb is open and you can visit the tomb of Tutankhamun. Your entrance ticket to the Valley of the Kings includes visits to three of the eight available royal tombs. Unfortunately, the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun along with two other tombs is not included in these eight.

You will need to buy a special ticket to visit the Tutankhamun tomb. The price is currently 500 EGP at the ticket office. This ticket allows you to visit the tomb of Tutankhamun individually, as part of your tour of the Valley of the Kings. Your guide cannot visit King Tut's tomb with a group of tourists, due to the size of the tomb. However, when exploring the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, he will give you tips on what to look for on the King Tut tomb tour. When you visit King Tut's tomb you can take photos for free with your mobile phone as long as you're not using a flash.

A royal tomb during the 18th Dynasty was usually ornately decorated. However, due to his unexpected death, this was not the case for Tutankhamun's tomb. They had to use an existing tomb for his burial place and they had very little time to prepare it.

Only the burial chamber itself was beautifully decorated with paintings. The marvelous wall paintings can still be seen inside the burial chamber during a tour of Tutankhamun's tomb. The walls were painted yellow, which is a sign of immortality, and they showed the following scenes:

Figures on the north wall were painted in the distinctive style of Akhenaten's reign where the people are drawn with short legs, big stomachs, and they have large almond shaped eyes. Also on the north wall it shows the king's funeral. His coffin is placed in a large model boat with goddesses Isis & Nephthys looking on protectively. This is then staged across the sand towards the afterlife.

On the south wall, the scenes show the king wearing a white wig. In front of him, Hathor offers the sign of life (ankh) to Tutankhamun's nose, and behind him, Anubis places a hand on the king's shoulder. Behind Anubis is Isis, who is welcoming him into the netherworld.

There are three more scenes on the north wall. The first shows Ay (king's advisor, who became king after Tutankhamun died) wearing the blue crown, showing that he is heir to the throne.

The next scene shows the goddess Nut welcoming Pharaoh Tutankhamun into the realm of the dead.

The last scene in the burial chamber shows Tutankhamun standing before Osiris. Behind him stands a figure with raised arms on his head, between which is a bull, giving Tutankhamun's Horus name 'The strong bull'.

The western wall is the most important as it faces the direction of the setting sun & the netherworld. The scene here presents 'what is the netherworld'. The scarab god Khepri (rising sun) is shown on a solar boat with two figures of Osiris (god of the dead) beside him. Before him stands Maat (goddess of truth & cosmic order) and Horus (god of kingship). Below this is a grid with 12 sections, each showing a baboon. This represents the 12 hours of the night. The Pharaoh traveled with the sun god through all of the 12 hours on a journey full of dangers. At the final destination he is re-born with the sun at dawn.

On our King Tut tomb tour, tourists can view the pharaoh's mummy in one of the side chambers.

Do not be afraid of the curse of pharaoh Tutankhamun! When in the Valley of the Kings on one of our Egypt historical tours, you must consider the tomb of Tutankhamun. Visit the famous tomb with our tour group on your next trip to Egypt!

The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) was one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the early 20th century. In the Egyptian Valley of the Kings, located near the Egyptian city of Luxor, excavations were carried out from the end of the 18th century. However, most of the tombs there had already been robbed. Carter and Carnarvon were licensed to excavate this site in 1914. Archaeologists decided to remove the long-known remains of ancient barracks for workers employed in constructing the tombs and dig under them.

In 1922, they found stone stairs and doors. On November 26, they opened the chamber of Tutankhamun's tomb and the research went on for years. George Carnarvon, one of the explorers, died on April 6, 1923.

3,400 years ago Amenhotep, the second son of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, later known as Pharaoh Akhenaten, abandoned his ancestral name and religion and he left the then capital of Egypt - Thebes (today's Luxor). He built the new city of Akhetaten, today called Amarna. This city was to be the capital of his new state and the main center of his new religion. Akhenaten and his wife Teye erected a great temple there dedicated to Aten - the sun god.

After Akhenaten's death, his 10-year-old son Tutankhamun became ruler of Egypt. He reverted to traditional Egyptian polytheism. At the age of 12, he had to marry Princess Anchesenaton, his half-sister and he then moved the capital of Egypt to Memphis. Initially his name was Tutankhaten, but in the fourth year of his reign he changed it to Tutankhamun. His wife Anchesenaton changed her name to Anchesenamon.

Genetic studies of the mummy showed that Tutankhamun suffered from malaria and osteitis. He also had a complicated leg fracture. These factors led to the death of the Egyptian ruler at a young age. King Tut was 19 years old at the time of his death.

The death of archaeologist George Carnarvon gave rise to rumors of Tutankhamun's curse. The explorer died as a result of an infection of a wound on his cheek that had formed a few months earlier after a mosquito bite. The novelist Marie Corelli published an article in several newspapers where she stated that she had found an ancient Arabic text saying that intruders disturbing the peace of the dead pharaohs would die due to poisoning by poisons placed in the tombs.

In the eight years after the discovery of the tomb, about 20 people were associated with Tutankhamun's curse. There were speculations that it might be a conspiracy or the effect of bacteria hidden in the tomb. However, Howard Carter announced that Tutankhamun's tomb did not contain any dangerous bacteria and there was no inscription with the curse above the entrance to the tomb.

Scientific research shows that the members of the team that discovered Tutankhamun's tomb lived to an average age of 70 years and Howard Carter died 17 years after opening the burial chamber.

The explorers were impressed by the furnishings of Tutankhamun's tomb and they found in it, three beds, a statue and a throne, among other things . All these objects were made of pure gold. The finds also included four gilded chariots, grave chests, three pharaoh-shaped coffins tucked into each other, and a golden death mask.

The most valuable find was the well-preserved mummy of Tutankhamun and research into the mummy began in 1925. The mummy was buried in a sarcophagus made of quartzite, but its cover was granite. According to scientists, the sarcophagus was originally intended for another person, but after Tutankhamun's death, the carvings were changed. In total, over 5,000 objects were found in Tutankhamun's tomb.

Among the valuable relics found in Tutankhamun's tomb is the golden mask of the pharaoh, which was on the face of the mummy. It weighs 10 kg and is 54 cm in length. Tutankhamun's mask was richly decorated with stained glass, faience, quartz, carnelian, obsidian, and lapis lazuli. On the arms of the mask there are hieroglyphs with a spell from the Egyptian "Book of the Dead". The mask along with Tutankhamun's treasure is now on show in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. 

We offer high-end small group Egypt tours  (limited to 20 participants) with five-star accommodations, VIP experiences, professional tour guides, comfortable transport, delicious culinary flavors, and perfect organization. Inside Egypt also gives their clients the opportunity to take a trip to the nearby Middle Eastern country of Jordan after their travels to Egypt. Jordan is a country rich in ancient monuments and can be visited with our Jordan 5-day add-on. You can do both the Egypt and Jordan tour with us, without any worries.

We offer several itineraries on our Egypt tours to meet the different expectations of our clients. On all of our exclusive Egypt tours, you can do an individual King Tut tomb tour.

Around Egypt in 14 days (a 14 days in Egypt tour)
This is our longest and most entertaining Egypt tour with a 7-day Nile cruise. During this tour, you will see all the most important monuments of Egypt, including the 5 Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a tour of Tutankhamun's tomb at the Valley of the Kings. You will also visit "The Pearl of the Mediterranean" on our Alexandria city tour and see the Fayoum oasis. You will get the chance to buy Egyptian souvenirs at the famous Khan El Khalili bazaar, and try delicious Egyptian dishes. On this exclusive Egypt tour, we offer VIP experiences which are: a private tour of the Great Pyramid of Giza with its two additional chambers, and the opportunity to touch the Great Sphinx of Giza by entering the private enclosure, which is normally closed to the public. It's a trip of a lifetime. Don't miss out!

Exploring Egypt Tour (a 10-day tour of Egypt)
During this 5-star journey across Egypt you will visit all the major sights including a tour of Tutankhamun's tomb where you'll see the tomb of Tutankhamun up close. You'll enjoy a tour of four cities in Egypt (Cairo, Giza, Luxor, and Aswan). You will see iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx privately - in a true royal style. These are VIP experiences not available to other tourists. On this exclusive Egypt tour you will relax on a Nile River cruise for four days and visit four Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will also be able to live like a local, enjoying Egyptian cuisine and taking a shopping trip to remember at Khan el-Khalili. An amazing journey is waiting for you! Don't miss this opportunity to make wonderful memories.

Golden Highlights of Egypt (an 8-day Egypt tour)
During this exclusive trip to Egypt you will travel across the country and experience its greatest wonders in 5-star style. You'll have private access to the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramid and special access to the Great Sphinx enclosure. This is a VIP experience only available to our customers! You will also learn how the earliest pyramids were built in Saqqara, and visit four Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

A 3-day scenic cruise down the Nile River awaits you along with exploring the most awe-inspiring sites in Upper Egypt, including a tour of Tutankhamun's tomb. This luxury Egypt tour also enables you to soak up the atmosphere in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and enjoy the flavors of Egypt. The 8-day Egypt tour is a shorter version of our iconic Around Egypt in 14 days tour, allowing you to experience all the best that Egypt has to offer in just one week.

The tomb of Tutankhamun is located in the Valley of the Kings, with a total of 11 royal tombs open to the public. As part of your tour of Tutankhamun's tomb, you can choose three of the eight tombs available to visit with your entrance ticket to the Valley of the Kings, and three tombs, including the Tomb of Tutankhamun, are additionally payable.

Near the tomb of Tutankhamun, you will find the terraced temple of Hatshepsut, also known as the Million Years Temple. It is another surviving object in West Luxor that is definitely worth visiting. It is inscribed on the wall of a high cliff behind which is the Valley of the Kings. This sacred building is the art of one of the great pharaohs - the woman of Egypt, Queen Hatshepsut. The temple is dedicated to the sun god Amon-Re, and the building is made of a three-story structure decorated with numerous columns. Inside there are chapels, a sanctuary and a courtyard.

A short distance from the tomb of Tutankhamun is the Valley of the Queens, which lies southwest of the Valley of the Kings in Western Thebes. Not only queens were buried here, but also princes and princesses, and sometimes even high state dignitaries. The tombs in the Valley of the Queens come from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth dynasties. All burial sites are in the form of halls, chambers and corridors carved into the rock. The most famous and beautiful tomb belongs to Nefertari (QV66). Beloved wife of Ramesses II, she was one of the most influential women in ancient Egypt. Her great tomb testifies to her position, and the inscriptions confirm the great affection that Ramses II had for his wife. Among the other well-preserved tombs of the Valley of the Queens, the tombs of the sons of Pharaoh Ramses III should be visited:  tomb of Amun-her-khepeshef (QV55) and Khaemwaset (QV44). The frescoes and reliefs decorating the walls of these tombs are still clear, with rich colors preserved.

Medinet Habu complex looms in the vicinity of the Valley of the Kings, where you'll find the tomb of Tutankhamun. It's one of the remaining attractions on the left bank of the Nile. It is a complex of ruins that used to be the center of worship of the god Amon. This place has the appearance of a fortress - the high South Gate leads inside, where you'll find chapels and temples.

The former Western Thebes is decorated with two huge statues - the Colossi of Memnon. These are figures that reach 15.60 meters high, representing the figure of the pharaoh Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty. This is the only part of the mortuary temple of this ruler that remains. It is estimated that the temple was affected by an earthquake, but the exact circumstances are unknown to this day. The Colossi of Memnon is a fine example of the art of the New Kingdom, which can be admired free of charge.

The tour of the West Bank of Luxor will end with a visit to a real Egyptian settlement, created by Amenhotep I around 1500 BC for the artisans who built and decorated the tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. This archaeological site shows what life was like for the ancient Egyptians. Inventories and letters about the life history of the inhabitants of the settlement were found here, and the location close to the holy royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, allowed it to survive for thousands of years.

When exploring the west bank of the Nile River, you'll encounter a myriad of monuments, making this area a centerpiece among the things to do in Luxor. While touring Tutankhamun's tomb at the Valley of the Kings, you not only get the opportunity to see the tomb of Tutankhamun. There is so much more to see on the doorstep of the famous pharaoh's tomb.

If you are planning a trip to Egypt, join one of our luxury Egypt tours. Inside Egypt always organizes the best itineraries, with nothing missed. You'll have some amazing memories to take home of your tour of Tutankhamun's tomb and the temples of Luxor's west bank.

When you think of Egypt, there are many things that come to mind. The pyramids, great sphinx, and of course the famous tomb of Tutankhamun! At Inside Egypt, we offer customized Egypt Tomb Tours that allow you to focus more on the aspects of Ancient Egypt that interest you the most. 

Inside Egypt has fantastic itineraries allowing you to explore Egypt with group tours limited to 20 participants. These luxury Egypt tours take place in late fall, winter and early spring each year. This is the best time to visit Egypt, as the summer months are very hot. The maximum number of 20 participants gives our guests the comfort of sightseeing and traveling in a small group, and it gives you quality time with our Egyptian guides. That's more time to ask questions and to take advantage of their wealth of local knowledge and their passion for everything Egyptian. During our luxury Egypt tours you can visit King Tut's tomb independently doing the tour as a part of the guided Valley of the Kings tour.

With Inside Egypt you also have the alternative of choosing a customized private tour, where you can visit King Tut's tomb privately, at any time, with the help of Inside Egypt's experts. If you are interested in a private trip to Egypt including the tour of Tutankhamun's tomb, please contact us via the luxury Egypt private tours form. Our experts, after receiving your inquiry, will create and calculate your private trip to Egypt with a visit to the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, and all the sights that Egypt has to offer.

Trust our team of knowledgeable Egypt travel specialists, take a private tour of Tutankhamun's tomb and enjoy a VIP experience in Egypt. Take away memories to last a lifetime of your tour of Tutankhamun's tomb, and the temples and monuments of the west bank of Luxor. We're waiting for you!