Valley of the Kings

New Kingdom pharaohs hid their burials beneath pyramid-shaped mountains to thwart robbers, yet nearly every tomb was looted in antiquity — Tutankhamun's 1922 discovery the rare exception. Deep corridors painted with Book of the Dead scenes descend to sarcophagus chambers cut from living rock.

Guides still switch on lights slowly so visitors adjust to the airless dark, and stories persist of curses following archaeologists who disturbed the sleepers. Modern ticketing rotates which tombs are open to limit humidity damage.

Open morning to mid-afternoon with separate tickets per tomb; photography inside most chambers requires paid permits and flash is prohibited.