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The King Tut Story: Howard Carter’s House & The Tomb Replica

Go "behind-the-scenes" of the King Tut discovery! Visit Howard Carter's House in Luxor, a 1920s time capsule where the explorer lived. Then, see the stunning Tomb of Tutankhamun Replica—an exact copy of the tomb's vibrant art, without the glass or the crowds. It's the perfect, atmospheric add-on to your Valley of the Kings tour.

EFT Team
August 25, 2021
Updated: November 9, 2025

We’ve all seen the pictures of the golden mask and the treasures. But what about the story behind the discovery? What was it like to search for 10 long years in the desert, and what did the tomb really look like the day it was opened? On the West Bank of Luxor, just a short drive from the Valley of the Kings, lies a “hidden gem” experience that most tourists miss. It’s a chance to go behind the scenes and see the tomb replica and King Tut story in a way you can’t anywhere else.

Here, side-by-side, you’ll find two incredible sites: the actual, preserved home of the explorer Howard Carter and a perfect, 1:1 replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

1. Carter’s House: A Time Capsule of the Great Discovery

Step out of the Luxor sun and directly into the 1920s. Carter’s House is the actual, preserved home where Howard Carter lived during his long, frustrating, and ultimately triumphant search for King Tut.

This is not a reconstruction; it’s a true time capsule.

What You Will See

The house has been perfectly preserved, as if Carter just stepped out for a moment. You can explore:

His Study: See his desk, his personal library, and the maps he used to plot his excavation.
His Living Quarters: Walk through his bedroom and living room, filled with his original, simple furniture.
The Photo Lab: Discover his original photographic darkroom, where the famous first-images of the discovery were developed.
The Atmosphere: More than any object, you’ll feel the atmosphere. This simple, mud-brick house was the base for 10 years of stubborn, dedicated searching. You get a true sense of the man, his isolation, and his single-minded obsession that led to the greatest archaeological find in history.

2. The Tomb of Tutankhamun Replica (A Perfect Copy)

Just a few steps from Carter’s House is the Tomb of Tutankhamun Replica. This is an exact, high-tech, 1:1 scale copy of the tomb’s burial chamber (KV62).

But wait—if you’re going to the “real” Valley of the Kings, why visit a replica?

The “Why”: A Better, More Ethical Experience

The original Tomb of Tutankhamun is one of the most popular and most fragile sites in the world. Over 100 years of tourism (humidity, breath, and dust) have caused serious damage to its delicate paintings.

The replica was created as part of a massive conservation project to save the original. And for many visitors, it’s actually a better experience.

Here’s why you will love the replica:

You See the “Real” Colors: The replica shows the tomb’s paintings as they looked when Carter first saw them—bright, vibrant, and stunning.
No Glass, No Crowds: The real tomb has thick glass panels (to protect the walls) and a long line. The replica is open, quiet, and peaceful. You can spend as long as you want admiring the art.
Get Up Close: You can get just inches away from the walls (without touching!) and appreciate the incredible, 3,000-year-old artwork in perfect light.
You Can Take Photos! Photography is strictly banned inside the original tomb. Here, you are free to take as many pictures as you want, capturing every detail.
It’s the Ethical Choice: By visiting the replica, you get a world-class experience while actively helping to preserve the real tomb for future generations.

Why Visit Both? The Full “Egypt Fun Tours” Experience

Visiting Carter’s House and the Tomb Replica is the perfect complement to your Valley of the Kings tour.

First, you go to the Valley of the Kings and feel the awe of standing in the real, sacred tombs.
Then, you come here. You see Carter’s House (the process) and the Tomb Replica (the art).

This 2-in-1 stop gives you the full, 360-degree story. You get to be an explorer, stepping into Howard Carter’s shoes. You get to be an art historian, admiring the paintings in perfect conditions. And you get to be a responsible tourist, all in one go.

How to Visit with Egypt Fun Tours

This fantastic site is located on the West Bank, very close to the entrance of the Valley of the Kings. It’s the perfect 1-2 hour add-on to any West Bank day tour.

Ask us to add this “behind-the-scenes” adventure to your itinerary. We can easily combine it with your visit to:

The Valley of the Kings
Hatshepsut’s Temple
The Colossi of Memnon

Let us show you the side of Luxor that most people miss.

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