Chasing Pharaoh’s and Other Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt
The famous city of Luxor, Egypt, has made it on travel itineraries for thousands of years, offering a host of attractions.
The city itself is not overly charming, hot piercing sun, dust choking streets and it’s share of irritating touts and tourist bred personnel. Aside from a few of the hassles, Luxor has scores of incredible ancient Egyptian sites, monuments, and tombs and temples that can’t be missed!
Figuring out an exact itinerary of what to do in Luxor can be a little confusing; trying to balance time with ancient sites and other variables.
It’s possible to visit most ancient Egyptian sites in 2 days of site seeing, though an extra day allows for a little more relaxation and comfort. I would suggest booking a day tour to the West Bank Sites (see bottom “Standard Day Tour“), and then seeing the East Bank sites on another day.
Note: If you have a student card (preferred ISIC card) all entrance fees are 1/2 the price. Depending on the ticket vendor at the time, it might be possible to persuade for the student price (if you look like a student, it’s worth a shot!).
Temple of Karnak
The Temple of Karnak is a massive ancient site comprising of a number of different temples dedicated to various gods. The great hypostyle hall is the pinnacle part of the the Temple of Karnak. Gargantuan 23 meter high and 15 meter circumference columns line an area of 6000 square meters. The pillars make it seem like you are in the midst of a slot canyon with cliffs rising on either side.
Temple of Luxor
The Temple of Luxor is easily accessible from the center of town. It was originally founded by Amenophis III but altered in later years by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, and Ramses II.
At night the temple is illuminated with yellow lights to reveal a golden halo around the ruins and statues. Egyptian boys shout and play football into the night in the adjacent courtyard at the base of the once dominant Temple of Luxor.
Luxor Museum
The Luxor Museum houses a collection of some of the most important relics found in temples and tombs around Luxor and the Theban Necropolis. Though it’s not as significant at the Cairo Museum of Antiquities, if you enjoy Egyptian history, it’s worth a visit.
Valley of the Kings
Across the Nile from Luxor, lies the Valley of the Kings, tucked beneath a barren mountain with the top resembling a triangular pyramid.
The valley was hollowed out like an ant hill to bury some of the most legendary Pharaoh’s of ancient Egypt, as a place to secure and ensure eternal life.
Exquisite reliefs, hieroglyphics and spells from the book of the dead for afterlife are plastered onto the walls and carved into the stones.
Photography is no longer permitted so I wasn’t able to take any pictures inside the tombs themselves.
Valley of the Queens
Situated on the same arid mountain as the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens is the resting place for a number of royal family members and relatives.
Queens including Nefertari (her tomb costs $5000 to enter), princes and royal children are all represented.
Deir el-Bahri
Deir el-Bahri is the mortuary temple of King Hatshepsut, the only female Pharaoh to rule Egypt. The temple, located on the opposite side of the ridge from the Valley of the Kings, is anchored into the rock behind.
The interior of the temple has somewhat deteriorated, but the view from the outside with it’s multiple terraces and colonnades is impressive. Though it dates to around 1400 BC, Hatshepsut succeeded at creating a temple with an extremely modern looking design.
Medinet Habu
The mortuary temple of Ramses III is known in Arabic as Medinet Habu. The immense structure was centered around Ramses’ cult god of Amun.
Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon are two enormous statues of the the Pharaoh Amenophis III. The temple that the statues once marked the entrance to, have since been destroyed, leaving only two parallel statues amidst modern day farms and cornfields.
Kushari and Ful
After a long hot day of visiting sites around Luxor, get your fill of Kushari (mix of pasta, beans, and sauce) and Ful (almost like re-fried beans).
Hang out sippin on tea and sheesha
Another way to relax in Luxor and all over Egypt is to sit down at 1 of the many street-side cafe’s and sip on some local tea or puff on some sheesha with the rest of the men in the city!
Source : https://migrationology.com/things-to-do-luxor-egypt/
Author Bio :
Amirah Antoun is working for Middle East Hotel and he had travelled most part of Egypt. Also he having great knowledge about Egypt Hotels, Resort and Holiday Rental House especially for Luxor best Hotels & Last Minute Hotel Booking.
