Almost all cemeteries and
burial grounds get a bad rap due to the predominant belief among people. Some
prefer staying as far away from graves as possible. However, some people
recognize the serenity, peace, and beauty that surround a burial ground. The
Valley of the Kings in one such place but it is different than most other
cemeteries that you encountered. You won’t spot any mausoleum-like structures
here, but only caves. The famous Valley of the Kings came into existence in
1539 BC. As you can imagine, the site is much younger than the pyramids. This
place is where several famous pharaohs are experiencing their eternal slumber.
Guides won’t enter: If
you choose to do Valley Of The Kings Tours then there are few things to know. First of all, tour guides
won’t be able to enter any of the tombs. If you wish to learn the history of
the mausoleum, then speak to your guide before entering. Or, once you finish
exploring it, you can return to the surface and ask questions. Exploring these
vaults won’t be enjoyable if you don’t get ant perspective before or after
seeing the hieroglyphs.
Small change: You already know that tour guides can’t join the Valley Of The Kings Tours with you. At
least, they can’t enter the tomb because the locals monitor them. These local
people check the tickets or offer advice. For their service, these locals
expect to receive a tip. So, the small change that you should carry will be
sufficient to tip them. Though tipping isn’t compulsory, these people will
follow you around for a while if you don’t show your appreciation.
Picture pass: Yes, if you wish to take photographs inside the
tombs, then you will need a photo pass apart from the tickets. This photography
pass can be quite expensive. However, once you acquire this permit, you can
click as many photographs as you want. Although, the pass won’t allow you to
take pictures of Tutankhamen, Nefertiti, or Seti’s tomb.
Don’t underestimate the heat: It isn’t just crucial to prepare
yourself to handle the sun. You should also prepare yourself for the stuffiness
that bothers travellers inside the tombs. The deeper you delve inside these
vaults, the hotter it is going to get. If possible, you should carry a small
battery-powered fan. It will relieve you from the extremely uncomfortable
condition.
The sun too: Excess heat will continue to bother you as long as
you stay in Egypt. You should prepare yourself well if you’re visiting the
Valley of the Kings on a bright sunny day. You will lose a lot of water, and
so, you should carry a water bottle and keep drinking from it. Hats and
sunscreen lotion will also prove to be a boon as long as you’re under the sun.
Avoid rushing it
Finally, you shouldn’t
rush your Valley of the Kings trip. Visiting Luxor, the Valley of the Kings,
and the Valley of the Queens is a lifetime experience. You should take as much
time as you need to explore the tombs. Hundreds of travellers feel bad now
because they sped up their tour. You shouldn’t repeat the same mistake.
