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R.F.Morgan CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

KV21

Monument

Located in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, KV21 is a numbered burial chamber studied by Egyptologists; visitors encounter the valley's cluster of New Kingdom tombs and ongoing archaeological research.

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In this guide

KV21 essentials

Address: KV21, Valley of the Kings (West Bank), Luxor, Egypt
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About KV21

KV21 is a small rock-cut tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor that contains the remains of two female mummies. The tomb is part of the 18th Dynasty burial landscape and has been the subject of scientific study.

The tomb itself is minor in scale compared with major royal tombs but is significant to researchers because of the two female burials it contains; the human remains have been examined for possible familial connections to other 18th Dynasty royals. The area of the Valley of the Kings has many such small tombs that are primarily of archaeological interest.

KV21 was recorded and investigated by Egyptological teams in the 20th and 21st centuries; its burials date to the New Kingdom, specifically the 18th Dynasty period. Scientific analyses have been used to explore the identities and relationships of the interred individuals.

The tomb is located in the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile at Luxor (ancient Thebes), among the cluster of royal tombs that line the valley’s slopes.

  • Human remains: Contains two female mummies dated to the 18th Dynasty; scientific studies have been used to investigate their identities and relationships to other royal burials.
  • Access: As part of the Valley of the Kings complex, the tomb is treated as an archaeological site and is not normally open for regular tourist entry.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit KV21

If public access is available, the cooler months (October-April) are the preferred time to visit; many KV tombs have variable or restricted access, so check with Egyptian antiquities authorities.

Peak tourist season (cooler months)
October-April · 15-30°C (Upper Egypt)
Cooler, more comfortable days across the Luxor region-most visitor services operate and guided visits are easier to arrange; note that individual tomb access may be restricted.
Hot season (low visitor numbers)
May-September · 30-45°C
Very hot weather-fewer visitors and some sites may limit entry or reduce hours; bring plenty of water and avoid midday heat.

Weather & Climate near KV21

Climate

KV21's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 40°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 105 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
MayAprilOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
0°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 6° - 22° 14° 0 mm clear 45% 2.4 m/s 1.0 high 10.6h
February Ideal 8° - 24° 16° 0 mm clear 36% 2.6 m/s 1.4 high 11.2h
March Ideal 12° - 28° 20° 0 mm clear 26% 2.9 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
April Ideal 18° - 34° 26° 0 mm clear 20% 2.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.6h
May Ideal 22° - 38° 30° 0 mm clear 18% 3.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.3h
June Ideal 24° - 40° 32° 0 mm clear 18% 3.3 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.6h
July Ideal 25° - 40° 33° 0 mm clear 20% 2.8 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.4h
August Ideal 25° - 40° 32° 0 mm clear 21% 2.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.9h
September Ideal 22° - 38° 30° 0 mm clear 25% 3.0 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 19° - 35° 27° 0 mm clear 30% 2.6 m/s 1.6 very high 11.4h
November Ideal 12° - 28° 20° 0 mm clear 40% 2.4 m/s 1.2 high 10.8h
December Ideal 8° - 24° 16° 0 mm clear 47% 2.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to KV21

KV21 is located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. From Luxor city center, cross the Nile by taxi or ferry and drive along the Deir el-Medina/Valley of the Kings road to the visitor area (about 5-10 km / roughly 10-20 minutes by car). The Valley of the Kings has a central visitor entrance and a short walk (minutes) from the parking/visitor centre to the tomb areas; note that specific tombs may be closed to the public at times.

Tips for Visiting KV21

  • KV21 is not part of the standard Valley of the Kings public route and is primarily accessed for research; don't plan to enter it as a regular tourist - check the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or the Luxor Antiquities Inspectorate for current public access policies.
  • If you cannot visit the tomb itself, consult museum exhibits and published reports on KV21 and related research to learn about its finds rather than expecting a public viewing on short notice.