This visit was towards the end of the Tour, and for good reason. You leave the best till last. If I had seen this first, it could have spoiled the expectation of everything else.
In a simple word, Colour.
The majority of sites visited were mono-toned, as you would expect 3-4,000 years later. There was occasional colour in various places, some original, and some “restored” but nothing like Valley of the Kings.
The area has other sites to visit including the Valley of the Queens, but we only got to do a short stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way in. (right)
Photo’s are not permitted in the tombs, and we were warned they are quite particular about that. There was some confusion however of whether photo’s were permitted in the Valley itself though (just not inside the tombs). I saw a number of people have their phone or camera searched, with photos deleted. I also had some guards offer, “go ahead take photo’s” when no one else was around; but had been told that was a scam to then charge, or involve the police and fine. Not worth the risk or aggravation, and whilst I understand the limitation of flash photography; other sites allowed photography with a separate paid photography ticket; so really in this age of social media; this no-photo policy is only hurting themselves from the free social media marketing they could be enjoying.
Anyway, you can buy packs of photos on exit (surprised ?) or check Tripadvisor for the people who post photos they were not permitted to take; but any visit to Egypt HAS to include a trip to Valley of the Kings, and make enough time to visit as many tombs as they have open; normally about a dozen I am told. I got to see 5, and it was simply not enough time or experience, as each of the 5 was unique form each other, and the colours inside and details were staggering.
