Itinerary
Luxor has often been called the world's greatest open air museum; the number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor and the surrounding area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world that we know of. Luxor consists of three different areas, the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor.
Since ancient times Luxor has been a major tourist destination and continues to attract visitors year round from all over the world. Luxor today is a city that has all the amenities tourists might expect, including a variety of hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
Within Luxor, there are three main streets consisting of Sharia al-Mahatta, Sharia al-Karnak and the Corniche, next to the Nile. The street in front of the train station is Sharia al-Mahatta and runs away from the Nile where it meets the gardens of Luxor Temple. Sharia al-Karnak or Maabad al-Karnak which means Karnak Temple Street runs along the Nile from Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple.
However, Sharia al-Karnak is known as Sharia al-Markaz where it meets Sharia al-Mahatta Street, and to the south around the temple it is known as Sharia al-Lokanda. Along this street one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found. In Luxor on the East Bank, one of the first stops must be the Temple of Luxor built by Amenophis III and which was originally connected to the Karnak Temple via a long stone processional street called a dromos. The well preserved dromos were built by Nectanebo I, and were originally lined on either side by sphinxes.
From Luxor, in the direction of Karnak, you will discover the Luxor Museum. While this is a small museum, most of the relics are from the surrounding area and provide considerable insight to the monuments in the vicinity.
The West Bank For most people visiting Luxor a trip to the The West Bank is a fascinating one. Here you will discover a variety of tombs starting with The Valley of the Kings which has tombs from the 18th and 19th Dynasties. Outside the Valley of the Kings, the road leads past Antef, named for the 11th Dynasty princes who were buried there. Some tombs can still be seen as one heads towards the Temple of Seti I. Most of what is left of Seti's Temple is the view. The road eventually winds itself westward until reaching the Valley of Asasif.
These are 25th and 26th Dynasty tombs. At the end of the Valley of Asasif at the foot of a cliff named Deir el-Bahri is a spectacular complex of temples. The Temple of Mentuhetep I, Hatshepsut and Thotmose II here must be seen. Much of the architecture here seems so very powerful against the towering cliffs in the background. From here, the road continues past the remains of the temples of Ramesses IV and Thutmose III, eventually reaching the Necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna. This 18th Dynasty necropolis sits amidst houses where there are hundreds of holes. And below here, one comes to the famous Ramesseum, built by Ramesses II, a huge complex that took twenty years to complete. As the road runs along past the remains of Thutmose IV, Merneptah, Ay and Horemheb's Temples, it finally comes to the huge complex known as Medinet Habu, which is another of Thebe's, major attractions and a must see sight. The gate has square towers and appears almost oriental. Behind the complex is the workmen's village called Deir el-Medina.
Out in the fields near here is the Colossi of Memnon, one of the major tourist attractions throughout time. Southwest of Deir el-Medina is the Valley of the Queens, where queens of the 18th and 19th Dynasties were buried.
Discover Egypt offers a range of flexible holiday options to the Luxor including Nile Cruises, twin and multi-centre holidays, city breaks and tailor-made itineraries to help you create the perfect holiday. For more details on a holiday in Luxor or any our twin and multi-centre options please call our specialist staff or Send us an E-mail.