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Egyptian Tombs Question

Posted by (Northwest Arkansas) on

I have a question regarding Egypt's tombs. Specifically, I am situationally claustrophobic. By that I mean I get a bit claustrophobic underground, especially if I feel like I can't move. Elevators, planes, etc. don't bother me at all. Bigger caves and caverns are also OK.

So, how confined and crowded are the tombs? I would be OK based upon the photos and videos I have seen of many tombs as long as the chambers are relatively empty of people and I can move around inside the space. Also, can I walk out the way I came in or forced to follow a specific one-way route. I realize this may vary by tomb. Finally, do smaller, more private tours have access before or after the big tour groups arrive. I have been to sites in Europe and the US where we make arrangements to enter when the doors first open and then have an hour or so before the group busses arrive.

Thanks for the input. We are looking at a trip in '28, probably with an all-land or land and small boat operator.

Posted by
7323 posts

Understanding that I've only visited Egypt once, 4 months ago, I'll just say this: AFAIK, the Egyptian authorities are very strict about their open hours. I wouldn't count on finding a pre opening tour anywhere. The tombs and the pyramids that allow visitors have one entry. You leave the way you enter, which means going past others who are headed in the opposite direction. The pyramid access routes are especially narrow and cramped. The tombs aren't as bad, but I never went into one that wasn't very crowded with other tourists. Perhaps if you went in the depths of summer when it is too hot for 99.9% of tourists, they wouldn't be as jammed. The temples were also very crowded, but having high ceilings or open air helped a lot.

Posted by
1104 posts

Thanks CJean, I always appreciate your responses to posts. To clarify for those reading this post, it's not some much about pre-opening or post-closing access as it is about "quite times" that avoid the big tour groups. For example, Monet's Garden outside of Paris get slammed when the tour busses arrive around 10:00 AM. If you are standing at the entrance at 8:45 AM with a pre-paid ticket you have an hour or so to enjoy the garden without the crowds. Then, you get to enjoy it with the crowds.

Posted by
9701 posts

We were there in January on a Viking tour.. When we visited the Valley of the Kings, where most of the tombs are, we were on our own to choose which ones we wanted to enter (one day). So the crowd was dependent on how many other tourists were there, and a guide would have been unnecessary. But note that most of the tombs are empty except for Tutankhamun's so it's basically seeing the carvings on the walls. It wasn't too confined inside, but you can judge for yourself.

The temples are different story - a guide is helpful - but they are large and spacious.

Posted by
224 posts

You can try going first thing in the morning (before 8 AM?) to the tombs on the West Bank of Luxor, but in my experience visiting in the high season (January), they will be crowded even at an early hour. Small group tours do not have exclusive access at any time, as far as I know.

The tombs were warm in January. Guides do not accompany tourists into the tombs, and you will find many visitors just milling around or walking through the tombs taking video and somewhat oblivious of others. I am not prone to claustrophobia, but I can get salty in situations like that. Despite all that I had a wonderful time in Egypt and encourage you to visit!

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