Description

Departing from your Luxor hotel or cruise ship, you will cross the Nile River to the West Bank, the necropolis of the ancient city of Thebes. Driving through the lush vegetation of the crop fields and then the desolate sandstone mountains, you will pass the 3 houses occupied by Howard Carter during his search for King Tutankhamun's tomb. Arriving at the Valley of the Kings, burial place of the kings of Thebes (ancient Luxor) with your Egyptologist guide, you will have a brief stop at the visitors center before visiting 3 of the tombs. Guides are not permitted inside the tombs, however they will give you an overview of each tomb visited and tell you what to look for inside the elaborately decorated rooms. If you wish to visit the tomb of King Tutankhamun, an additional cost is payable direct.

Leaving the hot sands of the Valley of the Kings, you will continue for a visit of the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most striking monuments in Egypt. Your guide will introduce you to the history of the temple and the story of Queen Hatshepsut, the famous female ruler of Egypt who posed as a male to gain the throne. There is free time to further explore at leisure as you wander the large courtyards and admire the intricate hieroglyphic decorations. Returning to Luxor there is time for a brief photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon which mark the site of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III. These 2 giant statues are all that remain of the complex and stall proud on the West Bank.

Also visit the Temples of Karnak. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex as your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. On entering the Temples of Karnak you will see each legacy left by the various pharaohs as the complex grew even larger. The deeper you go into the complex, the further back in time you will travel, with the oldest ruins dating back over 3,000 years.

Walking through the Great Court into the Great Hypostyle Hall, it's hard not to be overwhelmed by the 134 columns towering above you like an ancient forest. At the rear of the complex you will find the sacred lake where centuries ago pharaohs and their offerings to the gods were purified. After a tour of the complex, you will have additional free time to explore at leisure.

Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a 2 kilometer long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Dominated by statues of the great warrior pharaoh Ramses II, Luxor Temple has survived Nile floods, foreign invasion and thousands of years exposed to the elements.

Highlights

This tour allows you a full day trip through ancient Luxor. Visiting both the West Bank and the East Bank you will take in the splendor of the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak and Luxor Temples.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Overland Tours
• Tours

Cost in US$:

60 USD

Program Fees Include:

Inclusions:
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Lunch (if option selected)
- Qualified Egyptologist guide
- Transport by air conditioned vehicle

Exclusions:
- Optional gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Entrance fees
- Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamen (approx EGP 100.00)

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other

Imperial Egypt's Mission Statement

Taking you right to the heart of Egypt. It's not what you look at but it's what you look for!

Year Founded

1974