Bus ride to Luxor

For the drive through the beautiful mountain landscape on the way to the Luxor sights, we will pick you up early in the morning from your accommodation in Safaga or the Safaga cruise port. This excursion with Sempre Travel Egypt takes you to the most famous monuments of Thebes, Egypt (Name of Luxor in antiquity). After arriving in Luxor, we first will make our way to the

 

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple, the world-famous temple complex of Karnak, welcomes you on the outskirts of Luxor city on the East Bank of the Nile River, also called Luxor East Bank. The Sphinx Avenue, the former processional way between the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple, is also known as

 

Al Kasbash Road

Al Kabash Road was reconstructed, and after many years of work, opened in a phenomenal ceremony in November 2021. Part of the path lined with sphinxes has always formed the entrance to Karnak Temple through which you will enter the famous Hypostyle Hall. Karnak temple, the world's biggest temple complex, consists of several temples, different chapels and a Holy Lake that was used for the ablution ceremony. Our professional archaeologist will explain to you some more about the history of Karnak Temple, and the impressive backdrop of the pillared hall inside Karnak Temple is perfect for a souvenir photo.

We leave the temple complex of Karnak behind us and make our way through Luxor City to a bridge to cross the Nile River to Luxor West Bank. On our way to one of the most famous Luxor attractions, the Valley of the Kings (or our alternative tour to the Valley of the Queens), we pass the massive

 

Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon, former guardians of the temple of Amenhotep II are standing lonely on the way to the Valley of the Kings. They form the temple remains of a destroyed temple complex in Thebes West. The Colossi of Memnon got their name from the Greek "Memnon", a legendary figure murdered in the Trojan War. On windy days the statues made some "noises", created by the wind that came through the crevices. After restoration work, these noises disappeared.

Here, at the approximately 18 meter high statues, we make a photo stop and use this part of Luxor West Bank for a lunch break before we continue our tour, based on your decision, with the

 

Valley of the Kings

We turn towards the Valley of the Kings and drive past a lesser-known but beautiful temple complex built by Ramses II, the Ramesseum Temple. Take a look at the mountain landscape, where you will discover multiple caves in the walls, all testimonies of grave robbers that searched for undiscovered graves.

After arriving in the Valley of the Kings, we will visit 3 of the most beautiful tombs (already included in the entrance fee). Discover with us the inside of the tombs and take your time to enjoy the beautifully preserved drawings on the walls. All of them tell the respective story of the kings. Our tour guide is more than happy to answer all the questions you might have.

Have you chosen our alternative tor with a visit to the Valley of the Queens? Then our path from the Colossi of Memnon leads us directly to the

 

Valley of the Queens

In the necropolis, you not only discover the graves of former Queens but also of their families. So the name Valley of the Queens is slightly misleading. In the Valley of the Queens, actually "Valley of Beauty" (Ta-Set-Neferu), more than 90 tombs were discovered, most of them already robbed. The Valley of the Queens is located behind the mortuary temple of Ramses III, the Habu Temple and, in contrast to the Valley of the Kings, is not that hidden and easily accessible for everyone.

Also, the tombs are not as richly decorated as those in the Valley of the Kings but still impressive. The famous Nefertari tomb, wife of Ramses II, is worth a visit.

The last stop on our Luxor sightseeing tours leads us to the popular

Hatshepsut Temple

After your arrival, you will notice the different construction of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut compared to the other famous temples in Luxor. The terrace-shaped ascent of the temple and the unique building method enabled a view over the impressive Nile Valley during Queen Hatshepsut's life and reign for over more than 20 years. The only female queen in Egypt had the temple built on 2 terraces in 15 years, open to the Nile Valley and protected by the closed rock wall in the back of the temple complex. During your walk through the Hatshepsut Temple, you will notice the beautiful drawings on the walls, painstakingly restored by true artists. Take a look at the Nile Valley, Thebes in Ancient Egypt, as you walk back down the steps of Hatshepsut Temple.

We leave the Luxor sights for our drive back to Safaga. Let the great impression of the history of Thebes city (Thebes, Egypt) sink in and relax during the journey back to your accommodation or the Safaga Cruise Port.