Pathways Egypt

The Valley of the Kings in Egypt is an ancient burial site of old Egyptian leaders (Pharaohs). Located near Luxor, is a site of ancient wonders that just keeps giving. While the valley has been a tourist destination for nigh on 60 years, it has yet to reveal all of its secrets. New tombs, entrances and chambers are regularly discovered, with the most recent revelation occurring in 2008 with the discovery of two new tomb entrances.

Although many assume that Pharaohs created pyramids as their tombs, a more usual Egyptian custom was to cut tombs into rock. The tombs within The Valley of the Kings are created as such, though they still create an image of majesty just like the Pyramid Complex at Giza.

The Valley is also newer than the major pyramids in Egypt, having come into use around 1539 BC. While primarily a resting site for the Pharaohs, the Valley was also used to bury nobles and their families, so the name is something of a misnomer. There are, however, several notable Pharaohs who were entombed in the Valley.

The most notable of these is probably Ramesses I and his successor, Ramesses II. These two Pharaohs presided over a turbulent but nevertheless successful period in Egyptian history, and were also heavily involved in the creation of many recognizable sites of ancient Egypt. Furthermore, Ramesses II is attributed to being the Pharaoh ruling Egypt during the Bible-based Exodus.

There are 63 known tombs in the Valley and these were in use for nearly 500 years. The modern day landscape is much the same as it was during its usage. Its main role now is as a visitor attraction, something it performing well, as around 9,000 people can visit the Valley of the Kings in one day during peak season.

The Valley is, however, being preserved all the more. While in yesteryears, visitors would have been able to visit inside many of the tombs, in the present era of tourism only three or four tombs are open at one time. Regardless, visitors continue to flock to the area, with visitor numbers expected to reach 15,000 per day by 2015.

When a country has the rich history and forward-thinking plans of Egypt, any tourist has to choose carefully where and when they should go to really maximize their experience. In Cairo, Luxor, Sharm el-Sheikh and Alexandria there are immediately four city destinations that would each serve perfectly well as an individual destination for a holiday. The keen traveler may however wish to see as much as possible in the one trip, because although you are likely to want to return to Egypt there are lots of other countries to see.

If there is any one destination that is all but indispensable on a cheap Egypt travel, it would surely be the Pyramids at Giza. They are, quite simply, among the most iconic landmarks in the world. The oldest free-standing man-made constructions in the world, among which you will find the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World. How could any tourist not want to see them? Especially when the Pyramids are “guarded” by the Sphinx, a famous enough structure in its own right.

One thing for which Egypt is rightly and consistently famous is its temples. As well as the remarkable temples close to the Pyramids of Giza at Abu Simbel, there are several wonderful examples to see in Luxor – a city which serves as an open-air museum of classic and ancient architecture. The most memorable temple site, and one which simply must be seen if you travel to Luxor, is the Temples of Karnak. No Egyptian holiday tour would be complete without taking in some of the sites at Luxor, with its tributes to the Gods of Thebes. There are numerous set pieces here, including the Hypostile Hall. See as many as you can.

Should you feel that the cities and the architecture is a bit too much for one Egyptian holiday, then a jaunt to Hurghada may well serve your purpose. A classic coastal location and less crowded than the still remarkable Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada has a wonderful beach and sea waters that are almost impossibly clear. If you want to let your hair down and party there are more than enough nightclubs, and for a bit more action you could go snorkelling too.

Although Egypt has many attractions for the tourist, it is widely held by tourists that the jewel in the crown is Luxor, a city which retains an extremely strong link with the history of the country. There is good reason for the city being referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum, as it is home to some of Egypt’s most stunning temples as well as featuring several individual museums, including one dedicated to the process of mummification. There is real variation here, as the Luxor travel experience is in fact split into three separate areas.

The city itself is home to Luxor Temple among other attractions. This temple was built by order of the Pharaoh Amenophis III. Although stunning and intricate, it is also quite a manageable destination even for tourists who are mobility-impaired, as it is compact enough to be seen in its entirety in the course of an hour. The Mummification Museum is another fascinating attraction, featuring everything you could possibly wish to know about mummies themselves and the history of mummification. Perhaps the first destination for any tourist visiting Luxor, though, is the Luxor Museum, as it enables a better understanding of the ancient and modern city, improving your experience of other sites in the area.

The second part of Luxor which must be seen is Karnak. With the history of Egypt being so strongly tied to Temples, it is important to see the Temples of Karnak. Karnak was once known as “Ipet-isut” (the most select of places). It is believed to be the largest religious site surviving in its original form in the world today. The site itself measures 1500 meters by 800 and was built over the course of a millennium and a half. If you want to get a feel for the history of Egypt and experience Luxor travel to its fullest, then Karnak is an essential destination.

Finally, a complete Luxor travel experience is topped off by a visit to Ancient Thebes. Again there is much to see in this historically rich site, but the three destinations you cannot miss are the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the Colossi of Memnon. All are well worth a visit.