Luxor
Located approximately 400 miles south of Cairo, Egypt’s modern capital, the city grew over the years and the Arabs, impressed by its beautiful palaces and huge edifices, renamed it ‘Luxor’, City of Palaces.
Luxor remained the seat of power from 2100 to 750 BC and today you can walk through history - past statues with the heads of gods and animals beneath pillars carved with lotus buds and papyrus. The city is spread along both banks of the Nile in the ‘City of the Living’ to the east where life-giving sun rises and in the ‘City of the Dead’ to the west where the sun bids farewell to life.
- Marvel at the enormous Temple of Karnak
- Discover ancient chambers in the Valley of the Kings
- Be illuminated by Luxor Temple at dusk
- Admire the scale of the Temple of Hatshepsut
- Balloon ride over temples of Luxor
Karnak Temple in Luxor is the epitome of ancient Egyptian grandeur. Half a mile long, with enormous statues of pharaohs, immense temple chambers and its 134 columns each measuring 200 feet high, the sheer scale of this temple is overwhelming. Dwarfed by 5,000 year old architecture, you can let your imagination run, almost hear the priests chanting incantations and see Ramses III making his way in splendour through the temple courts.
The Valley of the Kings, which lies on the western banks of the Nile, is the best known collection of elaborate tombs created by ancient Egyptians for their powerful pharaohs. Accompanied by your private guide who indulges you in every secret of these early tombs, discover chambers and corridors, illuminated with delicate lights and adorned with colourful illustrations and hieroglyphs that recount the royal’s life and prayers from the Book of the Dead.
Dating back to 1400 BCE, the Temple of Luxor was a place for priests and not the general public. This is where kings were crowned thousands of years ago and when you visit, it’s easy to see why. Imposing stone statues, columns, and corridors come together to create a staggering site of royal splendour. Visit after dark for a particularly atmospheric, beautifully lit evening tour.
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is one of the most impressive structures of ancient Egypt. Modelled on the temple of Mentuhotep II, Hatshepsut’s design, which was to be built next to the older temple, was notably grander. As a woman taking on a role traditionally filled by men, the impressive colonnade structure helped Hatshepsut establish her authority over Egypt.
Setting off before sunrise, a hot air balloon flight is a highlight of any visit to Luxor. This hour long experience showcases the city’s landscape and architecture from a new perspective. As dawn breaks, the rising sun reflects off the waters of the River Nile and the city is illuminated. Gliding above epic monuments, including the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut, you cannot help but be awestruck by the ambitious vision of the pharaohs.
Grand, yet comfortable, this immaculate hotel is a tranquil sanctuary where you can unwind after a day exploring Luxor.
Set in the exciting, historical city of Luxor, the Winter Palace is one of the grandest old hotels in Egypt. With dizzyingly high ceilings, enormous windows and sparkling marble floors, the hotel is steeped in history.
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
In this article we’ve put together a list of our top ten recommended highlights to whet your appetite and show you what’s possible in Egypt.