Luxor (Formerly Thebes) is situated 650 km (405 miles) south of Cairo and is one of Egypt's great tourist sites.
One Pharaoh after another built huge temples and sanctuaries on the East Bank of Luxor. The necropolises and temples are situated on the West Bank and are equally amazing.
Sights to visit in Luxor while on Holiday in Egypt -
In Luxor itself visit the traditional souk in the modern city centre; beautiful Luxor Museum; Mummification Museum; Valley of the Nobles (the tombs are decorated with scenes from daily life); the temples at Medinat-Habu; temple of Ramses II with its ornamental ramparts. Also visit Deir al-Medina: village and graves of the workers who built the temples.
Luxor, East Bank
Temple of Karnak
Dedicated to the god Amun, this magnificent site, once a holy city, was steadily enlarged over a period of 1,500 years. It was connected to Luxor by an avenue lined with ram-headed sphinxes.
Short tour (1.5 hrs): precinct of Amun; First Courtyard; hypostyle hall; sanctuaries and temples; sacred lake.
Extended tour (3 hrs): precinct of Montu, precinct of Mut, temple of Ptah.
Tips: visit early in the morning (6.00 a.m.) or in the afternoon. Sound and light show in the evenings.
Temple of Luxor
Approach down the sphinx-lined avenue; gigantic statues; paved courtyard enclosed by pillars. Built on the banks of the Nile by Amenophis III, it is exceptionally well preserved.
Tour (2 hrs): sanctuary of the barque; mosque; First Pylon of Ramses II and colossal statues; processional colonnade; peristyle courtyard of Amenhotep III; central sanctuary.
Tips: visit early in the morning. Take a horse-drawn carriage to the site. View the temple lit up in the evening.
Luxor, West Bank
Temple of Hatshepsut
Backing onto and partially excavated from the cliff face of an enormous mineral amphitheatre, this temple is dedicated to the only female Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.
Tour (1 hour): carved columns; reliefs showing diplomatic exchanges with African tribes; monumental staircase; sanctuary of Hathor.
Tips: take one of the paths leading up to the cliff top for a panoramic view over the valley.
Valley of the Queens
More than 75 tombs of royal consorts, princes and princesses. Wall paintings show the soul journeying into the afterlife. The tomb of Nefertari is the most beautiful.
Short tour (15 mins): tomb of Nefertari.
Extended tour (30 mins): tombs of Khaemwaset, Amonherkhepshef.
Tips: the number of visitors each day is limited to 150 in groups of 10; each authorised visit may not last more than 10 minutes.
Valley of the Kings
In this arid valley, necropolis to the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, nearly 70 tombs decorated with wall paintings were carved out of the mountainside.
Short tour (1.5 hrs): tomb of Ramses VI; frescoes; well room; paintings; tomb of Ramses III; tomb of Merenptah.
Extended tour (3 hrs): also includes the tombs of Amenophis II, Horemheb, Ramses I.
Tips: the hypogea are opened in annual rotation; an entry ticket covers 3 tombs; you need a special ticket for Tutankhamen's tomb. Visit the tombs furthest away from the entrance.
Colossi of Memnon
These twin statues of Amenophis (Amenhotep) III are colossi nearly 17 metres tall carved from single blocks of stone; the only - albeit impressive – remains of the Pharaoh's immense mortuary temple.
Tour (10 mins).
Travel tipsTravel times:
• Ticket machines-Hatshepsut Temple: 5 mins
• Hatshepsut Temple-Valley of the Queens: 10 mins
• Valley of the Queens-Valley of the Kings: 15 mins
• Valley of the Kings-Colossi of Memnon: 15 mins
• Karnak Temple-Luxor Temple: 10 mins
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