Your tour will begin on the eastern side of Luxor, where the greatest ancient Egyptian temples are located on the east bank of the Nile, once the land of the living.
Your first stop will be the Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex in ancient Egypt and indeed the entire ancient world. Spread over a vast area of about 200 acres, it was dedicated to the worship of the god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut, and their son, in what is known as the Theban Trinity.
As you enter the temple, you are greeted by the Way of the Rams, a majestic road flanked by ram-shaped statues lining both sides that connects Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple. Each ram holds a small statue of the pharaoh between its feet, symbolizing protection and royal power.
A highlight of the temple is the Sacred Lake, a lake that still exists today and was used for religious rituals, where priests would purify themselves before performing rituals. Standing there, contemplating the tranquil waters amidst the temple's silence, is like stepping back thousands of years.
Although Karnak is often mistaken for the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the truth is that Hatshepsut performed a number of rituals and ceremonies within this temple, but built her famous temple on the West Bank. Karnak, however, remains a testament to her powerful presence in the history of Thebes.
After visiting Karnak, your tour continues to Luxor Temple, which is not far away and can be reached via a stretch of the historic Ramses Road. Located directly on the banks of the Nile, this magnificent temple was dedicated to the worship of Amun and was started by King Amenhotep III, with later additions by King Ramses II.
At the main gate, you will see huge statues of Ramses II, standing tall for thousands of years, along with two huge obelisks, only one of which remains in place, while the other was moved to the Place de la Concorde in Paris in the 19th century.
Inside the temple, you pass through majestic colonnaded halls until you reach the Holy of Holies, the holiest place in the temple, where secret rituals were performed.
There are also sacrificial storage rooms and halls for royal ceremonies, offering a glimpse into the religious and political grandeur of this place.
After your tour, return to your Nile cruise, where a delicious lunch and a quiet evening overlooking the Nile await you as you contemplate all the wonders of ancient Egyptian civilization.
.svg "Duration icon"){kind=small}
