A History Lovers' Guide to Luxor, Egypt

Morning: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's Temple

Start your adventure with a visit to the Valley of the Kings, where you will find the tombs of many famous pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun himself. I recommend organizing a tour through your hotel for your first visit as it helps to listen to the stories of the pharaohs and understand the significance of the tombs. Beyond the standard ticket, there are additionally options to enter the most splendid tombs for an extra cost. Therefore, if you are a history lover, make sure to discuss with your guide which tombs you want to visit in advance to purchase the correct ticket.

After exploring the Valley of the Kings, you can experience the magnificent Dei-el-Bahri, or Hatshepsut's mortuary temple. Known for being the woman king who ruled Egypt, Hatshepsut's temple is an amazing place to get a glimpse of ancient Egypt's architecture and stories carved on the walls.

Don't forget to arrive early to beat the heat and the crowds!

Afternoon: Medinet Habu or the Ramesseum

After a morning immersed in ancient history, head to Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III. This lesser-visited site is renowned for its well-preserved reliefs and vibrant colors. Alternatively, you can visit the Ramesseum, the mortuary temple of Ramesses II, known for its colossal statues and extensive reliefs depicting the pharaoh’s achievements. Afterwards, you can return to your hotel for a relaxing evening at a restaurant along the Nile river.

Morning: Karnak Temple

Begin your second day at Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Spend your morning exploring the massive columns of the Hypostyle Hall, the sacred lake, and the various chapels and obelisks dedicated to different gods and pharaohs. For someone visiting for the first time, I recommend hiring a local guide to share with you the historical facts and significance of the temple and the surrounding complex. However, try to discuss your plans with the guide beforehand depending on your intentions for photographs or videos. While many guides attempt to beat the heat by rushing through the complex, you can enjoy a relaxing time taking photos and videos!

After visiting the temple eight times, I suggest to not only explore the main temple, but also stroll through the surrounding complex. If you have energy after walking through Karnak, walk towards the newly opened Avenue of the Sphinxes, which connects Karnak and Luxor temples. While you can walk the entire path and finish your stroll in the heart of the city at Luxor temple, I suggest not doing so in the middle of the day as there is no shade.

Afternoon: Felucca Ride and Relaxation

After a long day of exploring Karnak and the Avenue of the Sphinxes, you can head back to your hotel for a felucca ride on the Nile at sunset. The easiest way to plan a felucca ride is to arrange with your hotel beforehand. As you glide down the river, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the landscape and the sunset over the Valley of the Kings. Alternatively, if you are not a fan of boats that rock back and forth, you can take a duffy boat down the river.

Morning: Luxor Temple

Begin your day by exploring Luxor temple in the morning. There you can experience colossal statues and witness the intersection of many different faiths over time. If you haven't already done so, you can take a stroll down the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which begins at the temple entrance.

Afternoon: Souq and Sunset Dinner

Across the street from Luxor Temple is the main souq (market) and many restaurants. After your visit to the temple, you can have a delicious lunch or dinner at the restaurants across the road from the temple that have an excellent view of the ruins, the Nile River and the west bank. I recommend arriving at the restaurants for an early dinner to watch the sunset over the temple and then stroll through the souq as night falls.

Morning: Hot Air Balloon

One of the highlights of Luxor is taking a hot air balloon ride at dawn above the city. With splendid views of the contrast between the fields and the desert, this experience is a bucket list item! I suggest planning with your hotel or tour guide in advance to have extra time in case the scheduled date is too windy, and you have to postpone.

Requiring visitors to wake up before dawn, the hot air balloons take off on the west bank of the river near the Valley of the Kings. Once in the air, you have an incredible view of the many ancient temples, the powerful river and the never-ending desert.

Mid-Morning: Dier-El-Medina

After returning to your hotel for breakfast, you can spend the day exploring the ancient tombs of Dier-el-Medina. This is the village of the workers who were responsible for crafting the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Even though many of the tombs are over two thousand years old, they are so well preserved that the colors appear to have been painted very recently. Here you can learn about the daily lives of the artisans and experience scenes of daily ancient Egyptian life beyond the royal functions.

Afternoon: Valley of the Queens

If you are a history lover and want to explore more off-the-beaten-path tombs, I suggest visiting the Valley of the Queens, where the tombs of the ancient queens and royal children are located. The Valley of the Queens is an ideal destination to be away from the crowds and gain one-on-one time with the ancient royals and the scenes of their lives.

Afternoon Option 2: Luxor Museum

Conclude your trip with a visit to the Luxor Museum. This museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts, including statues, jewelry and pottery, providing a comprehensive overview of the region's history. The well-curated exhibits offer a deeper understanding of the archaeological sites you've explored!

Morning: Abydos Temple

Start your day early with a drive to Abydos, one of the oldest and most significant archaeological sites in Egypt. The Temple of Seti I is the main attraction here, renowned for its well-preserved reliefs and detailed carvings, including the famous King List. Additionally, you can visit the Osireion, known for being the cenotaph of the god of death, Osiris himself.

Afternoon: Dendera Temple

After exploring Abydos, head to the Dendera Temple Complex, dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love, beauty and music. The drive offers scenic views of rural Egypt, giving you a glimpse into everyday life along the Nile. Here, you can explore the Temple of Hathor, which features astronomical scenes and vibrant colors.

The drive to the temples is about an hour and a half from Luxor, with no traffic. I recommend visiting the temples with a local guide who will provide you with a luxurious van and handle the government checkpoints along the road.

If you have more time in Luxor, I suggest either visiting your favorite sites again or taking a few extra days to visit the beach town of Hurghada. There you can experience the crystal blue water of the Red Sea and relax at the beach.