the Tomb of Seti I (KV17), Valley of the Kings
As a professional guide visiting Egypt’s remarkable monuments, I consider the Tomb of Seti I to be one of the most extraordinary experiences in the Valley of the Kings. Also known as KV17—or Belzoni’s Tomb—it stands out as the longest, deepest, and most elaborately decorated tomb in this royal necropolis
Seti I? He was the second pharaoh of Egypt’s 19th Dynasty, ruling approximately from c. 1294/1290 BC to 1279 BC. He is respected by historians as one of the greatest warrior‑kings of the New Kingdom—renowned for restoring order after the Amarna crisis, reinforcing border defenses, and engaging in successful campaigns in Syria and Canaan . His massive building projects—especially the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and the Temple at Abydos—helped reassert Egypt’s cultural legacy . Seti I is also the father of the legendary Ramses II, who continued his architectural and political ambitions .
What to See Inside the Tomb
Upon entering KV17, you’ll be immersed in an artistic and spiritual labyrinth. The tomb follows a “joggled axis” plan, descending through chambers labeled A–D until reaching the pillared passageways (F, Fa, J, Jb, Jc, Jd), ending in a vaulted burial chamber with an astronomical ceiling .
The walls and ceilings are covered with deeply carved and vividly preserved scenes of funerary texts and rituals—featuring the Opening of the Mouth, Book of Gates, Book of the Dead, Amduat, Litany of Re, and Book of the Heavenly Cow . One highlight is a side chamber with unfinished stencil sketches, offering a rare glimpse into the ancient artists’ process: first rough outlines in red, detailed lines in black, and then color applied atop—an exceptional educational feature .
Exploring the tomb feels cinematic—descend staircases and wooden-slatted ramps, passing through candlelit corridors into a vast burial chamber where the art and atmosphere become truly immersive . It’s sometimes a solitary experience thanks to its price and exclusivity
This tomb is not included in the standard Valley of the Kings ticket. Entry requires a separate, special ticket, In September 2025, the entrance fee for the Tomb of Seti I is EGP 2000—a premium extra ticket beyond the main Valley of the Kings admission .
This makes it the most expensive tomb in the Valley—costing significantly more than three times the standard entry price for multiple tombs .
Tip: Plan to spend at least 45 minutes to 1 hour inside the tomb to fully appreciate its scale and artistry.
Bring comfortable shoes—the descent involves many stairs and ramps.
Morning or late-day visits can offer more solitude—quiet firsthand immersion often elevates the experience .
Photography is allowed using Mobile phones
The Tomb of Seti I is not just worth it—it is a transcendent journey through ancient artistry, faith, and power. You leave not only with breathtaking visuals but with a deep sense of Seti I’s enduring legacy. For anyone serious about Egypt’s New Kingdom, this tomb is a must—not merely a highlight, but a...
Read moreThe KV17 is the final resting place of the Pharaoh Seti I ( reigned between 1294/1290-1279 BC) . The price of the entry ticket is unusually high ( 2000 EGP as of March 2025, which is approximately 40 USD) compared to other prices in Egypt, but trust me, its worth every cent! The tomb, being the deepest and largest one in the Valley of the Kings is lavishly and beautifully decorated, every inch of the wall is covered with hieroglyps or images of the pharaoh in the company of gods. You can literally smell history here! The most breathtaking part of the tomb is the room which used to hold the sarcophagus of Seti, the vividity of the colors of the ceiling completely blew me away! Out of all the tombs I have visited in the Valley of the Kings this one was my absolute favourite and in my opinion it is simply unmissable! As the entry ticket is quite expensive, there are no large crowds in the tomb, making the whole experience more authentic...
Read moreI've always had a very strong interest in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome. Both civilisations were way ahead in technical know how. Stronger nations expanded smaller nations would fight back. They were very civilised in their own ways, the real difference between them and us is we consider their methods for civil matters and law breakers to be barbaric. So anything like this app. will no doubt sway myself in favour of content, if developers can do this then they have virtually won the race,that's why I gave 5 stars regardless. To pay for subscriptoin apps or pay for in app purchases I need a credit card or a debit card, this leaves me venerable to have my account hacked, and I've heard it all before, if you encrypt your count etc etc, you will be safe. Yeah! Well you had better explain to some of my mates who are still waiting to get their money back and every time they try to make a transaction on their cell phone their...
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