Joliefleur

I've been reading up on my tour to Cairo and Nile cruise. I have the feeling that I'm not going to have a whole lot of time on the Giza plateau so I'd like to know which tomb I simply must see. Any suggestions? Thanks!

sunshine007

If I recall correctly, only a few of them are open at any one time. I'd make a list of the ones that are suggested to do so you can pick from that group.

My guide told me that King Tutankhamen's tomb had a long line & wasn't worth the wait. In retrospect, maybe she didn't want to wait that long. I can't tell you which ones I did go to. Pharonic overkill by that point.

Grcxx3

Okay - I'm confused. Do you mean which pyramids to go into in Giza (outside Cairo) or which tombs to visit in the Valley of the Kings (in Luxor)?

As for the Giza pyramids....I don't think there are many options. I think (someone help me here!) there is only 1 of the main 3 pyramids open - as far as being able to climb inside. There are also a couple of smaller tombs of nobles right in that area that a guide can take you into.

A little further away from Giza (maybe 30 minutes or so), the Red Pyramid used to be open to go into (we did this several years ago), but I don't know if that is still the case. At Saqqara, you can't go into the pyramid, but you can go thru the mastabas where some higher-ranking officials were buried.

As for the VK in Luxor, if you are doing a Nile Cruise, the tour should allow for plenty of time to see whatever tombs are open at that time (usually 3 or 4, I think). They are all spectacular in their own way...even the ones that were never completely finished (at least the painting wasn't finished).

As for King Tut's tomb...it costs extra and can have a line. Is it worth it? Well, there isn't much to see (other than the sarcophogus), but I did like the idea of "being there." Of course, we were there 2 months after Sept 11 - and the place was pretty much empty, so we didn't have to wait in line.

I don't know that current status of Nefertari's tomb in the Valley of the Queens - but if you have the opportunity to go ....do it! My husband and I did it on our 2nd trip and it was wonderful.
Even tho it was rather costly and involved getting up at a ridiculous hour...it was worth it.

Near the VK there are some interesting areas with tombs (valley of the artisans and valley of the nobles), but I don't think these are generally included on the tours with the cruises. We did this on our own when we stayed in Luxor.

PRchick

Grcxx3 is correct that there is usually only one pyramid open at a time so there is no choice. As for the tombs in the VK in Luxor, I think they rotate which ones are open and your guide will get your tickets for the best ones open. They are all worth seeing.

sandi

When we visited, thankfully the tomb of Queen Nefretari was open and it was worth the $30/fee (vs. $3 for the others); may now be closed, though.

Believe we had entry tickets for 3/tombs, 2 of which we visited with our guide, the 3rd, we could do on our own. Surprisngly, there were a few others open, but it did take a bit of inquiry to find out which and the time needed to do them justice. The one my friend was down a ladder into a deep hole (you know I didn't do this), but once down there and the lights and fans put on.... amazing (wish I remembered which tomb). I wanted to visit the tomb of Amenhotep, but that's way out of the way, up a 5-story flight of steps, so never go there. So it's best to inquire what's open and not. If you have time to yourself, with this information you can return and pay the small fee to visit other tombs.

loru100

All 3 pyramids at Giza were open when we were there last November...it depended upon how much you wanted to pay. To limit the number of people in the largest pyramid (Khufu), they charge a premium. We went into the second largest (Khafre) and while we were glad we went, it was somewhat underwhelming. As well, I wasn't blown away by the Valley of the Kings, although King Tut's tomb was worthwhile. You could skip the tombs of the workers/artisans...there wasn't much to see. Unless something has changed, our tour guide told us the tomb of Nefertari at the Valley of the Queen's was closed to the public indefinitely, unless you wanted to pay thousands of dollars to have it opened. And as a side note, you can't take your camera into any of the tombs...at the Pyramids or the Valley of the Kings.

Joliefleur

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it. Sorry to hear about the no camera/video rule. I had hoped to be able to take some pictures inside on my own as souvenirs. Guess I'll have to hit the gift shops instead. Thirty days to go.... ;-)