We are going somewhere hot today; this is really the high point of the Theban necropolis and is, of course, the Valley of the Kings. With our Luxor Passes we can get in any tomb that is open, including the ones you have to pay extra for.

So, that is where we started, the most well-known, right in the middle, KV62, the final resting place of Tutankhamun. Even at 8 o’clock the place was filling up; the revamped rest house already doing a steady trade. We sorted out the standard GnT Tours KV62 pic and then headed down those famous steps. There was already a group of people crowding the barrier to the burial chamber, so we waited, although that was not good enough for one lady who seemed to take affront at the fact that we were in her personal tour space. I have to admit to laughing out loud when I overheard her “tour guide” explaining the west wall to her, “you can tell he was a child, that’s why they painted cuddly animals on the wall”. This was said with all sincerity and the angry lady accepted it as fact. You have 5 minutes to stop laughing!

Next, the deepest and longest, KV17, the tomb of Seti I, just across the valley. A fantastic tomb and one you could spend many hours in. The joint tomb of Rameses V and VI followed, and is always a good photo opportunity.

To get away from the crowds, after a short rest, we headed to the top of the valley to take in the other joint tomb of Setnakhte and Twosert, whose granite sarcophagus we had seen in the Luxor Museum only days earlier. Siptah next, then the walk back to the centre, then up past KV17 to the newly reopened KV43, the tomb of Tuthmose IV. Fabulous tomb and good to get another open 18th Dynasty tomb in the valley. Last on the list was KV2, Rameses IV.

Lunch was next on the menu, and yet another delectable cornucopia of food. We have to walk as much as possible to counteract the volume of food we keep getting given.

Lunch done, we elected to go to Carter’s House. I am not sure if I like what has been done in terms of the refurbishment. It all seems a bit too museum-y, if I can coin a word. Still, very interesting.

The Luxor Mob, as the group had named themselves, wanted to go to the souk, so we left the west bank and headed across the water for some good and some not so good bargaining. No hassle!