tomb of ay

The tomb of Ay at the end of the valley is not exceptional, but the walk through the valley is superb: beautiful and quiet.

This is a little Tomb, adjacent to the Valley of the Kings but, because it involves a long walk is seldom visited - perhaps 20 people per day maximum. You can drive there by Taxi on a dirt road and such is well recommended. Very well adorned and not too difficult to access - well worth it.

off the mass tourist route tickets available at valley of kings then use your taxi its off to the right down the track about a mile the guardian will show u around plus some other features like the dummy tomb used to film the tut tomb find with howard Carter!!!

If you go to the King Valley, visit also the Tomb of Ay, that is in a separate valley (that starts on the right of the ticket office for the King Valley), with a nice view (and no turists!!). We reached the tomb by bicycle (10-15 minutes from the main street). The quiet place with the rock landscape are peculiar, and the tomb with the monkeys is nice. Before going there you could read something about Ay in order to appreciate the visit even more.

If you go to the trouble of visiting the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor I thoroughly advise you go that extra few steps and take a taxi ride, or indeed a walk for the more adventurous to the western valley and the tomb of Ay. This part of the valley is infrequently visited as it is off the beaten track of the big tour companies and if you time it right you can get the tomb to yourself.You buy a ticket for the tomb at the main Valley of the Kings ticket office, I believe when I was there in May it was LE40/50. You will then follow the western valley trail, which is in itself a wonderful experience, passing the tomb of Amenhotep III on the way ( unfortunately closed to the public ) until you reach the guard house. If you are in a taxi get the driver to honk the horn a few times, if on foot, go to the door. If you get no answer the guard is probably already at the tomb with another party so just head on up to the tomb entrance. It is customary to give the guard a lift if you are going by taxi either to the tomb entrance, if you get him at the guard house, or back to the guard house if you get him at the tomb.The tomb itself is not the most beautiful in the valley but is worth the trip for a few reasons. Firstly it would appear to be the only example of an 18th dynasty tomb open to the public ( apart from the tomb of Tutankhamun ) and what little decoration there is, is very interesting. The western valley is known as the valley of the baboons after the wall decorations in Ay's tomb representing the 12 hours of night and the transition of the king's soul from sunset to sunrise. This scene is also represented in the tomb of Tutankhamun. There are also scenes of secular activity with scenes of the king hunting and fowling, unusual in a royal tomb although I believe the tomb of Ramasses III has similar scenes. It is also thought by some egyptologists that this tomb was the tomb originally intended for the young Tutankhamun but was nowhere near ready when the boy king died unexpectedly.It is worth taking the time to really study the paintings in this tomb as little details leap out at you on closer inspection which you just don't see on a cursory glance. The tomb is one chamber with a central sarcophagus and like so many of the other tombs is badly lit. The descending entrance corridor ( undecorated ) is not as steep an incline as other tombs so is relatively easy to access.Photography is officially strictly forbidden in all tombs although in the less visited tombs arrangements can be usually made for a price with the guard for a photo opportunity so long as you don't use flash. If the guard is willing to bend the rules he will say as much to you, I would wait for the invitation though as they are legally entitled to confiscate any camera undeclared at the valley entrance and I have seen this done! Photography or not the guard will expect a little something for his time and knowledge (?) of the tomb, I like to think LE10 - LE50 is fair, depending on how helpful you think the guard was.The final reason for visiting this part of the valley is simply the valley itself. It has an ethereal, otherworldly feel to it. Great monoliths of sandstone jutting into the sky like sentinels at the gate to a magical kingdom, it's easy to see why the ancient kings chose this place to spend eternity.

The tomb is a delight and the paintings are generally fresh and clear, especially the 12 baboon hours. Even though it is rarely opened, the air is fresh and it was very cool. Entry is by stairs and ramps, so it is a fairly strenuous climb.The guardian and the tomb "Egyptologist" said nobody had visited it for several weeks. Last time we visited (several years ago) we needed to take a soldier, but that is no longer required.The barren landscape and fascinating rock cliffs make this a seriously attractive area, despite the scorching heat.Tickets are LE30 from the VoK ticket office. You drive up "Wadi Monkey" on an unmade track so some taxi-drivers with new cars are reluctant to go and want extra money - we were in an old 7 seater Peugeot, so there was no difficulty and plenty of room even when the tomb guardian joins the car half way up the valley. His friend the Egyptologist, who spoke some English, followed on a motorbike which looked rather uncomfortable.

very much the same as king tut,but longer, makes you think though who was this tomb made for. For King tutankarmun or for himself.

The tomb is not located with the other tombs in the valley. As you approach the main entrance the tomb is to the right along a very bumpy road. You buy your ticket at the exhibition centre which I think was about LE80 (£8) and then follow the path all the way up a hill to the enterence to the tomb which is some way out the way from the other tombs. The tomb itself is very good and an experience.

Ay tomb is in the Valley of the Monkeys right next to the Kings Valley. There are only two tombs in this valley. Please don't be Persuaded to go to it by taxi, you can walk there giving you the chance to view one of the best valleys in Luxor, the views are stunning with amazing rock structors. This is a tomb often missed so do go there, you will be delighted.

Although not on the normal excursion list, the Tomb of Ay is a must. It is hidden away along a long path from the valley of the Kings carpark. If you visit you will certainly be the only tourists there. The tomb itself is down 2 sets of steep steps but wow what a surprise when you get to the bottom. The paintings and colours are so vibrant and the sarcophagus is just incredible. Pure granite transported from Aswan and then brought down into the tomb by an army of workers, absolutely amazing. It really shouldn't be missed.

The Tomb of Ay is separate to the main tombs in the Kings Valley. You need to purchase a separate ticket at the KV ticket office.You reach the tomb by a dirt road to the right of the KV entrance.This is one of the most beautiful tombs in the valley. It is small, only 2 chambers, but the main chamber is superb. The sarcophagus is in situ in the centre of the tomb.

I have always wanted to go to the temple of Ay I was lucky enough to go this time or so I thoughtAll I wanted was to look around in peace and quiet I was the only there apart from the two security who talked through out my time there. I just wanted them to be quiet so I could soak up feeling and look at every picture in detail. When I asked them to be quiet they were quiet for 5 seconds then one of them started to follow me around. So I left. I left with a feeling of disappointment

Tickets from the Valley of the Kings Ticket Office then car up to the valley (unless you are fit enough to walk!). Guardian is collected en route and he will open the tomb and give you as much time as possible. But the utter, utter peace of the valley is wonderful. Complete silence which is difficult to comprehend in this day and age. The surroundings are stunning if you take time to sit and watch the colour changing on the rocks. Not on the usual "tourist" route but well worth a visit.

Situated in a valley adjacent to the Valley of the Kings this is a very small tomb with a steep entrance (several sets of steps and ramps), but the small effort required is worth it for the commited egyptophile. The paintings that remain are fresh and well colloured. The entrance ticket has to be bought at the Kings Valley ticket office and you may have to wait fore the guardian to unlock the toom or the exit of other visitors, but there are shady places to sit and wait. A few egyptian pounds may be required to 'tip' the guardian.

For the sake of a few British pounds you can visit the tomb of Ay and it really is worth it. This was my fifth visit to the valley but my first to this tomb and even though the entrance/exit steps are numerous and steep its worth the effort, take your time with this tomb as its highly unlikely that anyone else will be there except the tomb guard. It is very similar to KV62 (Tuts tomb) so particularly nice to see if you have already visited Tut.