Valley of the Kings: Encyclopedia II - Valley of the Kings - Tourism

Valley of the Kings - Tourism

Most of the tombs are not open to the public (16 of the tombs can be open, but they are rarely open at the same time), and officials occasionally close those that are open for restoration work. The number of visitors to KV62 has led to a separate change for entry into the tomb. The West Valley has only one open tomb, that of Ay, and a separate ticket is needed to visit this tomb as well. The tour guides are no longer allowed to lecture inside the tombs and visitors are expected to proceed quietly and in single file through the tombs. This is to minimise time in the tombs, and prevent the crowds from damaging the surfaces of the decoration. Photography is no longer allowed in the tombs.

As of 2005, most days of the week an average of four to five thousand tourists visit the main valley, on the days on which the Nile Cruises arrive the number can rise to nearly ten thousand[1]. These levels are expected to rise to 25,000 by 2015. The West Valley is much less visited, as there is only one tomb that is open to the public.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Tourism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki