The Valley of the Golden Mummies, located in Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis, is a vast Greco-Roman necropolis discovered in 1996 by Dr. Zahi Hawass. It houses over 10,000 mummies adorned with gilded masks and elaborate wrappings, reflecting a fusion of ancient Egyptian and Hellenistic traditions. Featuring rich burial artifacts and divine imagery of gods like Osiris and Anubis, the site showcases the wealth, artistry, and spiritual beliefs of its era. It offers a captivating glimpse into the mystical funeral rites and cultural heritage of Egypt’s Greco-Roman period.
The Valley of the Golden Mummies is a hidden necropolis protected by the forces of nature found at the bottom of the Egyptian western Sahara of Bahariya Oasis, showcasing tales and treasures of legendary treasures that narrate many mystical and enigmatic tales. The allure and grandeur of the desert oasis will be uncovered most impressively and memorably, that will feel like discovering a new alien world filled with natural and golden archaeological gems.
The Valley will uncover several magnificent secrets from the marvelous bygone era of the Greco-Roman Period. This rare attraction is known to be one of the greatest ancient Egyptian archaeological attractions established in the modern era that sheds a great deal of light on how the ancient Egyptians were able to merge ancient Egypt art, magic, and creativity in the most enchanting, memorable, and extraordinary fashion.
The Valley of the Golden Mummies is a fascinating archaeological site that offers a unique and informative glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in ancient Egypt during the Roman period in the Baharyia Oasis. The celestial Valley of the Golden Mummies is a magnificent site of immense archaeological significance, famous for its extensive collection of remarkably preserved mummies up to 250 highly preserved mummies and artifacts from the Greco-Roman Period.
It was created across a period spanning from the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE, where it serves as a main burial ground and the ultimate testament to the blending of Egyptian and Hellenistic cultures during this era. The valley boasts over 10,000 mummies, earning its name from the unique preservation technique involving the gilding of the deceased's faces.
The mummies are currently on display across the many museums of Egypt, plus some of them have been loaned to other museums around the world, including the Manchester Museum in England and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Witness all the incredible mummies of the ancient Egyptian civilization
Read MoreIt is found within the Bahariya Oasis, located approximately 350 kilometers southwest of Cairo, which can be accessed through an adventure-filled road trip where you will immerse yourself in the heavenly allure of the desert landscapes and the greatness of this epic archaeological wonder. Alternatively, domestic flights from Cairo to the Bahariya Oasis are available, followed by a short journey by road to the valley.
The mummies come in four different general styles of mummies; the first style is found on 6 mummies containing a marvelous gilded mask that covers the face that comes in gold, plus a gilded waistcoat which depicts some incredible scenes of great celestial ancient Egyptian goddesses and gods across its chest.
The second style is entirely covered with cartonnage, which depicts many ancient Egyptian deities, mainly the god of death and mummification, along with his four offspring. The third style was placed within the anthropoid in a pottery coffin, while the fourth style was covered entirely in linen.
The population of Egypt during the Roman era was made up of seven million people, and 30,000 of them lived in Baharyia, who worked in the creation of wine from dates and grapes, which made the majority of its population extremely wealthy, as seen across the ancient Egyptian tombs. With each of the mummies, several artifacts have been buried, which include jewelry bracelets, wine jars, pottery of food trays, and Ptolemaic coins.
All the artwork and wall scenes across the tomb was able to shed light on many great facts and intriguing details about the roman period that shows that a great number of the population was very rich and enjoyed many privileges as they were able to afford gilding and cartonnage which was created by the hands and minds of very professional artisans made in magical workshops in Baharyia which reflects the essence of each individual.
In 1996 AD, the Valley of the Golden Mummies was unearthed and unveiled to the world by the esteemed Egyptian archaeologist, Dr. Zahi Hawass in collaboration with the B.P. Expedition, a joint Egyptian-Italian team, initiated the excavation of the site that recovered about 250 mummies that are over 2000 years old which were excavated with time. The team's groundbreaking efforts brought to light an incredible array of mummies and artifacts, sparking global fascination and further exploration, as there are still over ten thousand mummies waiting to be explored.
By stepping into the golden realm of hidden ancient treasures, located in intricate tombs of the Valley of the Golden Mummies. You will get to marvel at the meticulous ancient Egyptian craftsmanship of the wooden, golden, and painted cartonnage coffins that encase the mummies, adorned with elaborate, meaningful hieroglyphs and vivid colors.
Witnessing the golden visages of the mummies will be the ultimate proof of the reverence, dedication, and respect bestowed upon the deceased by the local artisans of Baharyia. All the marvelous burial chambers held are filled with magnificent artifacts that come in the shape of pottery, jewelry, amulets, and funerary masks, which offer profound insights into the unique and meaningful customs and beliefs of the Greco-Roman period.
The mummification process of the valley of the golden mummies is extremely peculiar and highly interesting, as the method used in the creation of mummies was very stable and was able to make them last longer than the pharaonic period mummies. Their method began by putting sticks made entirely of reeds on the left and right sides of the mummy, then covering it with linen.
The preparation of the mummies took place in a marvelous workplace known as “Wabt” plus Anubis was according to ancient Egyptian mythology, was responsible for observing the full process. The wall art showcases that the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Maat “Goddess of Harmony, Truth, and Justice,” on a celestial scale in front of the god of the Underworld, Osiris, in the hall of Truth. The heart is put opposite the feather on the scale, and then fate is left to decide.
If the heart and the feather are balanced, then horus the falcon sky god will take the deceased to meet the god Osiris and the goddess Isis to get their blessings, then head to paradise “The Field of Reeds”. If the heart is heavier than the feather, then the deceased will fall into the deepest pit in the earth, where Ammit will eat that person, thus disappearing from existence.
Discover the magical mummification process of the ancient Egyptians
Read MoreYou will have the chance to immerse yourself in the mystical ambiance of the Valley of the Golden Mummies by embarking on one of our incredible Egypt tours. Our experienced Egyptologist tour guides will accompany you on a captivating epic journey through this ancient necropolis, recounting incredible tales of its discovery, explaining the burial rituals, and shedding light on the historical significance of this magnificent site.
You will come face to face with all the countless mummies, each with its incredible epic story to tell, and witness the magnificent beauty and greatness of the artifacts that have withstood the powerful test of time. The journey into the valley's heart will leave you spellbound by its mythical greatness, forever imprinted by the secrets, wonder, allure, and magic it unveils.
The Valley of the Golden Mummies stands as an everlasting shining testament to the timeless allure and creativity of the ancient Egyptian civilization. It is a magnificent place where the mysteries of the past are preserved in all their grandeur, which captivate all curious travelers to uncover its hidden mystic treasures. Don’t miss this enchanting chance to be captivated by the golden faces of the mummies and the mesmerizing golden artifacts that transport you to a magical era long gone.
Discovering the Valley of the Golden Mummies will be the place where history and magic converge in an extraordinary, magnificent display of human ingenuity, faith, and reverence for the ancient Egyptian deceased during the Hellenistic period. Our magical nile cruise and incredible tours will make every single moment worthy of remembering.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.