Explore Some of the Ancient Temples and Monuments of Luxor in 6 Days
Highlights
Luxor, Kom Ombo, Abydos, Dendera, Edfu
Locations Covered
Luxor, Kom Ombo, Abydos, Dendera, Edfu
religious, archaeological, historical
Private Tour
6 Days
Easy
English
Description
Sign up for an exploration of the important sites of ancient Egyptian history and visit the Luxor Temple, Karnak temple, and Valley of the Kings, among others. Visit the Temple of Seti I to know why the Egyptian rulers desired to be buried in proximity to the Temple of Seti I and learn the stories of myth, religion, and language of the Hellenistic period at the Temple of Edfu.
Itinerary
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Day 1- Arrive in Luxor
- Meet your tour guide after arriving at 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- Visit the Landmarks on the West Bank of Nile
- Have breakfast on board and cross the West Bank to visit 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 tour).
Overnight In Luxor.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch) -
Day 3- Explore 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- Explore the Temple of Edfu and Kom Ombo
- Arrive at Edfu and visit the majestic Edfu Temple, 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. 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 the Temple of Kom Ombo standing on high grounds overlooking the Nile and the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo (also known simply as Kom Ombo Temples) dating 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. Since the 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. The temple is unusual in having 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- Head to the Temple of Seti I and Dendera
- Have breakfast at your hotel and visit Temple at Abydos. The Temple of Seti I at Abydos was begun during the reign of Pharoah Seti I (1318-1304 BC) and completed by his son Ramses II (1304-1237 BC) during the XIX Dynasty of the New Kingdom. The temple represents an artistic revival of Old Kingdom forms and was part of Seti’s attempt to consolidate the Ramessid dynasty after the losses under Akhenaten. By identifying himself with the great gods and previous rulers of Egypt, Seti added legitimacy to a ruling family that had been mere warriors just a few generations ago. Pharaoh Merneptah added a great Hypogeum of Osiris to the temple of Seti. The final building to be added was the Temple of Nectanebo I in the XXX dynasty, but most additions to the site were made through the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
- Move to The Temple of Hathor at Dendera, on the Nile, north of Luxor. It is one of the latest Egyptian temples. Dedicated to the wife of the god Horus, it was built in Roman times, and its decorations include Roman emperors alongside Egyptian gods. The Temple of Hathor is boxy in shape and surrounded by a portico with thick columns and walls about half as tall as the roof. There are many reliefs of figures and rituals on the temple's exterior, including pharaohs, Egyptian deities, and Roman emperors. Inside, the fascinating sight is the roof chapel dedicated to Osiris, which contains a sundial and circular zodiac.
- Head back to the hotel.
Overnight in Luxor.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch) -
Day 6- Departure
- Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward destination.
(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
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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 |