5-Day Heritage Tour to the Highlights of Luxor and Kom Ombo
Highlights
Luxor, Aswan, Kom Ombo
nature, religious, historical
Private Tour
5 Days
Easy
English
Description
Explore the famous ancient site of the West and East Bank of Luxor by visiting the Valley of the Kings, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and the Luxor Temple. Immerse in the beautiful scenic view of the river Nile and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile God- Sobek, and witness the site of crocodiles enjoying a sunbath!
Itinerary
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Day 1- Arrive in Luxor
- Meet your tour guide after arriving from the Luxor International Airport, where a representative will assist you with arrival procedures and take you to the hotel. At the hotel, the tour manager will assist with a smooth check-in and review your holiday itinerary with you to establish and confirm pick-up times for each tour.
Overnight in Luxor.
(Welcome drinks)
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Day 2- Explore the Highlights on the West Bank
- Have breakfast and visit the Valley of the Kings. It was created and used from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC. It contains some 60 tombs, starting with Thutmose I and ending with Ramses X or XI. The site's official name was- The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes, or the Great Field. The most famous tomb is KV62, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. Howard Carter made the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. Tutankhamun’s tomb was the first royal tomb to be discovered that was still largely intact.
- Continue the tour to visit the Hatshepsut temple at El Deir El Bahary This impressive temple was dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh. It rises out of the desert in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs surrounding it.
- Proceed to the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III. Colossi of Memnon are the two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For 3,400 years, they have sat in the Theban necropolis across the River Nile from the city of Luxor. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep’s memorial or mortuary temple.
- You can book an evening trip to the fabulous sound and light show at the El Karnak Temple (optional).
Overnight in Luxor.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch)
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Day 3- Visit the Landmarks of the East Bank
- Have your breakfast and head to explore the Karnak Temple, the largest place of worship ever built. In ancient Egypt, the power of the god Amun of Thebes gradually increased during the early New Kingdom, and after the short persecution led by Akhenaten, it rose to its apex. In the reign of Ramesses III, more than two-thirds of the property owned by the temples belonged to Amun, evidenced by the stupendous buildings at Karnak. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about three kilometres north of Luxor, Egypt, situated on 100 ha (247 acres) of land. Karnak is actually the site's modern name. Its ancient name was Ipet-isut, meaning "The Most Select (or Sacred) of Places."
- Move to Luxor Temple. Amunhotep III built it in the 18th Dynasty in the New Kingdom, and Ramesses II completed it during the 19th Dynasty. King Ramses II was the most famous king in the 19th Dynasty. He ruled Egypt for about 67 years. It was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu, representing the Theban triad. Enjoy visiting the Obelisk of Ramses II in front of the 1st Pylon. It was called "Ipet resyt", the Southern Opet or the Place of the Seclusion of Amun-Re. It was directly connected to the temple of Karnak- the main cult center of Amun-Re or Amun-Min, the sky god or the ithyphallic fertility god. Since its inception, the temple of Luxor has always been a sacred site. After Egypt's pagan period, a Christian church and monastery were located here, and after that, a mosque (13th-century Mosque of Abu el-Haggag) was built that continues to be used today.
- Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Luxor.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch) -
Day 4- Head to Edfu and the Kom Ombo Temple
- Head to Edfu, the majestic temple dedicated to Horus. The Edfu Temple is the second largest temple after Karnak. Known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, the temple was dedicated to the falcon God Horus and was built during the Ptolemaic period. Earlier, it was oriented east-west instead of the current north-south configuration. The oldest part of the temple is the section from the Festival Hall to the Sanctuary; this was begun by Ptolemy III in 237 BC and completed by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator. The Hypostyle Hall was added by Ptolemy VII (145-116 BC), and the pylon was erected by Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC). The final touches to the temple were added under Ptolemy XII in 57 BC. The falcon-headed Horus was originally the sky god, whose eyes were the sun and moon.
- Transfer to see to the Temple of Kom Ombo standing on high grounds overlooking the Nile, the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo (also known simply as Kom Ombo Temple), dating from about 180 BC during the Ptolemaic era, with additions made into Roman times. It stands right on the bank of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan, making it a convenient stop for river cruises. The temple at Kom Ombo was also built under Ptolemy VI. Since this bend in the Nile was a favoured spot for crocodiles to bask in the sun and threaten locals, it is natural that the temple would be dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. But it is unusual to have a double dedication: it also honours Haroeris, a form of the falcon-headed god Horus. The hypostyle halls were added under Ptolemy XIII (51-47 BC); the Roman emperor Trajan (53-117 AD) added the forecourt and outer enclosure walls.
- Head back to your hotel.
Overnight in Luxor.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch) -
Day 5- Departure
- Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport with a representative to assist you.
(Meal: breakfast)
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
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3 to 3 | /person |
2 to 2 | /person |
1 to 1 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 4 | /person |
Infant | |
1 to 4 | /person |
This is a private tour |