The Valley of the Kings, located on the West Bank near Luxor, is one of the most fascinating and intriguing parts of Egypt. The Valley of the Kings, is home to the Tombs of the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Egyptian belief that "To speak the name of the dead is to make him live again" is certainly carried out in the building of the tombs. The king’s formal names and titles are inscribed in his tomb along with his images and statues.

The statues and images including the Egyptian hieroglyphics are simply fascinating to both Egyptians and tourists alike. One of the most famous tombs found in the Valley of the Kings, is that of Tutankhamun’s, one of the Pharaoh’s most recognizable names even today.  Tutankhamun’s tomb was found in 1922, and although it was quite small compared to others, it remains a favorite of tourists to visit.

Tutankhamun died at the age of 19 after only a brief reign as king, however the solid gold coffins and other riches found in his tomb were exquisitely made and are a feast for the eyes.

As the tombs can be extremely hot in the summer months, it is best to visit the Valley of the Kings during the late autumn, winter and early spring. Temperatures in Luxor in November usually range from a high of 31 degrees Celsius ( 88 degrees Fahrenheit)  to a low of 13C (55 Fahrenheit). It is better to visit these exquisite treasures of Egypt, when the temperatures allow you to do so, while feeling comfortable in your surroundings.

During your visit to this impressive site, don’t forget bottled water as the temperatures rise during the day. For the serious tomb explorer, bring a flashlight with you in order to see some of the less well lit sections of some tombs. For the additional cost of a permit, photography is allowed in most tombs, but not flash photography. However, in many tombs, there is enough light provided for high speed film to be used. To help cut out the reflections from the protective glass which covers the extensive artwork and hieroglyphics found on the tombs themselves, a polarizing filter can be very useful to you during your visit to the tombs.

A trip to The Valley of the Kings is a journey back in history, to another civilization and is definitely a once-in-a lifetime opportunity which should not be missed.