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Luxor
Luxor, once an Ancient Egyptian capital, is known today as the world's greatest open-air museum. From the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings and the magnificent sunset views at the majestic temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor to the exciting and fun Nile cruises.
What To Visit In Luxor !
- Valley of the Kings
Situated on the ancient site of Thebes, on Luxor's West Bank, the Valley of Kings is the ancient burial ground of many of Egypt's New Kingdom rulers. A truly impressive site! There, you will find Tutankhamen’s tomb which was discovered almost intact in 1922 and the tomb of Ramses IV, among others. A ticket will allow you visiting 3 of the 63 tombs on site, except Tutankhamen’s tomb, which requires an additional ticket. Although the tomb alone is worth a visit, you will have to visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see the treasures Tutankhamen was buried with. Ticket Price(s): Regular: 80 EGP Student: 40 EGP Tutankhamen's Tomb: Regular: 100 EGP Student: 50 EGP
Located on the West Bank of Luxor near the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens is the place where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ancient times as well as princes, princesses and various members of the nobility. Nefertari's tomb, Ramses II favourite wife, is the most famous attraction. The tomb is said to be one of the most beautiful in Egypt: it is completely painted with scenes depicting Nefertari being guided by gods. Approximately 1 km off the road leading to the Valley of the Queens is located Deir El-Medina. Although it means the 'town's monastery' the name refers to a Ptolemaic temple, dedicated to Hathor, but which was later occupied by early Christian monks. Near the temple, lie the ruins of the Worksmen's Village, an ancient town where workers and artists who created the tombs of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens lived and were buried in. Some of the workers' tombs are beautiful works of art, really worth a visit. Ticket Price(s): Regular: 35 EGP Student: 20 EGP Nefertari's Tomb: Regular: 100 EGP Student: 50 EGP Basdo's Tomb: Regular: 15 EGP Student: 8 EGP Ay's Tomb: Regular: 25 EGP Student: 15 EGP Deir El-Medina Regular: 25 EGP Student: 15 EGP
- Medinet Habu
The Mortuary Temple of Ramses III has well preserved Ancient Egyptian art and architecture. Walk through the remnants of the workers' mud brick houses at the rear of the site, and then into the grandness of the temples. Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III oversaw the building of the original temple of Amun which was later walled in to the complex by Ramses III. The entrance to this temple complex is through the singular Syrian Gate, this large building is particular to Madinat Habu and is carved with giant images of the Ramses III defeating the Libyans.
On your way to visit the West Bank of Luxor, you will come across the two gigantic statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. These two gigantic figures of Amenhotep III were originally situated in front of his Mortuary temple, which seems to have been destroyed for unknown reasons. Each colossus is about 21 metres tall and represents King Amenhotep III seated on his throne. Legend has it that after an earthquake damaged it in 27 BC, one of the statues emitted strange sounds in the morning-perhaps due to the heat of the sun following the humidity of the night. However, the restoration which took place in 193-211 A.D, made the sound stop forever!
The mortuary temple of Ramses II took around 20 years to build as a part of his funerary complex. The magnificent temple is on Luxor's West Bank and in its day the Ramesseum was similar to Abu Simbel in grandeur and Medinet Habu in architecture. Ironically the Nile floods deteriorated the temple in which Ramses is portrayed as an eternal deity. Make sure to notice the images of the Battle of Qadesh in which the pharaoh is shown firing his arrows at the retreating enemy. The colossal statues of Ramses which once stood tall at the entrance are now in ruins but you can still see parts scattered around the temple.
- Seti I Temple
In a scenic location surrounded by palm trees sits the Temple of Seti I, constructed by Seti I, son of Ramses I, and father of Ramses II. Seti I was one of Egypt greatest rulers and builders; he constructed one of the land;s most magnificent temples at Abydos, and the Great Hypostyle Hall in Karnak. The artwork and architecture commissioned during Seti;s rule is rich, no expense was spared and attention to detail is evident. Unfortunately he died before his temple was finished, and it was completed by his son Ramses II. The temple also includes a royal palace and a chapel for Ramses I.
The Temple of Luxor is a must see site on any trip to Egypt; it is a testimony to the history of the continuous history of Egypt, beginning from the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egyptian rule to the 14th century AD when a mosque was built in the complex to commemorate Abu Al-Haggag, who is responsible for bringing Islam to Luxor. Many pharaohs played a part in building this temple over the years including Tutankhamen, Hatshepsut, Ramses II, and Amenhotep III; as you walk through the temple you can see the contributions of each one usually where you find statues and images of them carved in the walls. The Romans and later the Christians also had an effect on the temple. The temple of Luxor is incredibly rich with the chronicles of the past, see descriptions of the battle of Kadesh, accounts of the festival of Opet, the tale of how Amenhotep III’s mother was impregnated by a God, and other stories told of the pharoah’s exploits on the pillars, obelisks and walls of the temples. Make sure you return to Luxor temple at night to watch the Sound and Light Show. Ticket Price(s): Regular: 50 EGP Student: 25 EGP
- Hot-air Balloon Ride
A Hot Air Balloon ride in the early morning is one of the most breathtaking ways to see Luxor. The sunrise view you'll catch while floating up in the clouds is really worth waking up early, the way the sun hits the magnificient temples and lights up the green of the Nile banks is a sight you will never forget. There are a number of balloon companies you can arrange a trip with; they are subject to rigid security regulations.You can ask your travel agent or hotel for more details, it is also possible to organize these trips directly with the balloon companies.
- Luxor Round Trip
Take a Luxor round trip in a Nile cruise away from the bustle and excitement of Cairo and Alexandria to see the best of Ancient Egypt and experience the holiday of a lifetime of travel. Egypt's Nile River cruise begins with a visit to the temples of Karnak and Luxor and ends with a belly dance show. Day two, sail to Edfu to visit the temple and enjoy half a day of leisure. Day three, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. At night, party in local dress called the Galabiya. Day four, sail by felucca to the botanical gardens of Kitchener's Island and enjoy a Nubian folkloric show on board after dinner. Day five, visit the Temple of Philae, the Granite Quarries and the High Dam before sailing to Kom Ombo. Day six and seven see the Temple of Esna and visit the West Bank of Luxor to visit attractions such as the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. From the natural beauty of the Nile to the awe inspiring grace of Ancient Egyptian architecture, you'll discover a world.
- The Mummification Museum
Located in Luxor, the Mummification Museum presents the ancient Egyptian art of mummification and displays related artefacts and mummies. Here you'll learn about the mummification techniques specialized to embalm many animal species, such as crocodiles, cats and fish. Mummified animals are unique to the collection of this museum. You'll also see mummification tools, embalming materials, Canoptic jars, amulets and coffins. There are also ancient tablets that record the funeral journey from death to burial. The museum is divided into the Hall of Artefacts, Lecture Hall, Video Room and the cafeteria.
- Karnak Temple Complex
The Karnak Temple Complex is home to three main temples, several smaller enclosed temples, and a number of outer temples - combining the achievements of many generations of ancient builders over a period of 1500 years. Around thirty different pharaohs contributed to the building process of this site, enabling it to reach a size, complexity and diversity not seen elsewhere. It was after all the New Kingdom's most sacred site. The Ancient complex covers a total area of 2 sq. km, and its name \"Karnak\" means \"fortified settlement\" in Arabic. The temple of Amun, the complex's main structure, is the largest place of worship ever built. It is surrounded by two other gigantic temples, dedicated to Amun's wife, Mut and his son, Khonsu, respectively Although it might seem badly ruined today, there are still many features to Karnak that make it one of the largest and most impressive of all ancient sites in Egypt. Ticket Price(s): Regular: 65 EGP Student: 35 EGP
- Red Chapel of Hatshepsut
The red and black walls of this ancient place of worship gave it its name; the temple was built by Hatshepsut and Thutmosis II in 1479 BC, and was intended to hold the barque of the God Amun; after the death of the Hatshepsut it was destroyed by her nephew Thutmose III. Luckily a group of archeologists found the ruins and reconstructed the shrine. The construction materials are black granite and red quartzite, and the beautiful engravings in the stone are filled with gold paint giving the shrine a magical feel. Right near the temple of Karnak - in the open-air museum area on the left of the main temple of Amun in Karnak - this is a building worth seeing.Keep in mind that you will need to buy an extra ticket to visit the open-air museum, which encloses the Red Chapel of Hatshepsut. The design was completely original at the time, and the building offers a very different form of ancient Egyptian architecture and sacred art.
- Karnak Sound and Light Show
The sound and light show at the Karnak Temple complex narrates the achievements of great Pharaohs, while describing the ancient treasures of ancient Thebes. As visitors walk through the complex, the pharaohs arise to tell the story of their interesting lives, as haunting music mysteriously flows through this ancient city. Illuminated, the ruins seem more magnificent than ever.
- Temple of Dendera
Walk by several Roman kiosks, pass through the colossal gateway of Domitian and Trajan that is surrounded by a massive mud-brick enclosure and enter into the cavernous hypostyle hall of Tiberius. Visit the best preserved temple in Egypt. See vivid scenes that depict the Roman emperor Trajan paying homage to the Ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor and other mythical reliefs that adorn this gorgeous Graeco-Roman temple. Dendera is located about 60 km North of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the provincial modern town of Qena. Called Lunet or Tantere and considered as the capital of the 6th nome in Upper Egypt by Ancient Egyptians, it was also known as Tentyris to the Greeks. Ticket Price(s): Regular: 35 EGP Student: 20 EGP