E G Y P T
L U X O R
O V E R V I E W
Once the seat of political, military, and religious power for the mighty Pharaohs for over 1500 years, Luxor is home to some of the most awe-inspiring monuments of ancient Egypt.
From the towering temples of Karnak and Luxor to the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, here the curious visitor is offered a glimpse into the might and culture of ancient Egypt’s great capital.
Straddling the Nile, Luxor also offers bustling souks, vibrant festivals, and is a great place to begin or finish a spectacular Nile cruise—these typically run between Luxor and Aswan, continuing by car or flight afterwards.
Here's what we think should form the core of your experience:
Temples & The Golden Age of Ancient Egypt
The scale and majesty of Luxor’s temples are amongst the finest in Egypt.
The sprawling Karnak Temple Complex is a masterpiece of ancient engineering, its towering columns and sacred lake offering more than enough fuel for the imagination to confront the grandeur of Egypt’s golden age.
At the Luxor Temple, glowing softly in the evening light, you’ll find layers of history, from pharaonic inscriptions to Roman influences.
The Valley of the Kings, Queens, & the Collosi
The west bank of Luxor offers a deeply moving glimpse into ancient Egypt’s afterlife, and the final resting places of some of the biggest names of the entire story.
The Valley of the Kings, with its more than 63 vividly painted tombs dating from 1539 to 1075 BC, tells stories of the lives of the Pharohs and their commemoration after death in their search for immortality.
Nearby, the Valley of the Queens, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Hatsepsut all potent reminders of the might and sophistication of what Egypt once was.
Culture, Cuisine, & Daily Life
As much as the ancient wonders of Luxor rightfully pre-occupy the mind of visitors, Luxor is also a living city with a vibrant cultural heartbeat straddling both the new and not-quite-ancient.
Wander through its colorful souks to shop for spices, textiles, and handcrafted goods, and visit the Winter Palace for a look into the lives lived by wealthy European and New World visitors of days gone by. Drift along the Nile in a traditional felucca, soaking in the rhythms of daily life along its banks.
Heads-up: cumin and anise are indigenous to Egypt, and have been cultivated here for over 4000 years.
And don’t miss the chance to experience a local feast, where the flavors of Egypt come alive in hearty, aromatic dishes. If you keep an eye out, it's even possible to have a little introduction to Nubian cooking here as well, something which you may not see too much more of this far north of Abu Simbel temple.