Use the links above to see more photos.

At first it was just the pharaohs who got the golden road to the afterlife. But it didn't take long for the nobles of that time to think: "Hey, what about me?" And soon enough they too began to enjoy (if that's the right word) upper-class burials. Not, of course, in the Valley of the Kings - but some place not too far away. We visited a few. Some are beautifully decorated with scenes of everyday life.

It's a steep and deep climb to get down to some of them. At some points you have to get down on hands and knees to get through, but it's well worth it.

There's a sign posted at the entrance to every tomb: "No Photos". But with a little 'baksheesh' you can deftly get around the rules.

CLICK HERE to see some details of a royal tomb.