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LOUXOR
SOMMAIRE
Egypt is a country whose history has played a significant role in shaping the world and its evolution. The Egyptian civilization is well-known and recognized for its scientific, cultural, architectural, and linguistic expertise, which it has continued to radiate across the world. The remnants of all this knowledge are a treasure for humanity.
The country is 94% covered by desert, so nearly all of its 110 million inhabitants are concentrated along the banks of the Nile, from the Mediterranean Sea down to Sudan
The river and its cities can be divided into three segments: paradoxically, "Lower Egypt" in the north of the country up to Cairo, "Middle Egypt" in the center, and "Upper Egypt" in the south, starting from Luxor
Egypt is a magnificent country offering endless opportunities for exploration, whether you enjoy adventurous desert trips, comfortable cruises on the Nile, urban exploration of cities, or simply relaxing on the beaches of the Red Sea.
Before you go ....
Language : Arabic
Currency : Egyptian Pound
Flight time (from Paris) : approx. 4 hours
Time difference (from Paris) : +1 hour
Documents (from France) : A valid passport for travel and a visa, which can be purchased on arrival (approx. €25)
Basic vocabulary:
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Hello ...................... Salam aleykoum
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Thank you .............. Chukran
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Yes ................. Yes
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No ................ No
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Good bye........ Good bye
ITINERARY
Egypt is wide, with many cities worth visiting. The itinerary can range from 5 days to 3 weeks, depending on your pace, interests, and budget. At a minimum:
LUXOR (2 days): the most historical
ABOU SIMBEL (1 day): the most spectacular
CAIRO (2 days): the most authentic
Luxor and Cairo are classics. Abou Simbel is difficult to access and almost exclusively focused on the Temple of Ramses II. If you're less interested in ancient monuments, the day trip from Luxor to Abou Simbel could be replaced with a visit to Alexandria from Cairo.
LOUXOR
In southern Egypt, 665 km from Cairo, the city of Luxor holds some of the country’s most precious historical and cultural treasures. This heritage makes it one of the most visited cities in Egypt, with significant tourism. Formerly known as Thebes, Luxor is divided into two banks: the East Bank and the West Bank, on either side of the Nile. On the east, the monuments celebrate the rising sun, while on the west, where the sun sets, it is the realm of the dead that is emphasized. Against the backdrop of the pharaonic cliffs, the city’s panoramas combine desert rocks and lush fields, offering a quieter atmosphere compared to the capital.
THE KINGS VALLEY (West Bank)
This complex houses all the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. Carved into the cliffs thousands of years ago, you can find the tombs of great historical figures such as Tutankhamun, Ramses VI, Seti I, and more—pharaohs who shaped the history of ancient Egypt. The basic ticket (750 LE, about 14€) grants access to around thirty tombs, except for the three main pharaohs mentioned above, for which an additional fee is required.
Be aware that each tomb entry is stamped at the entrance, and once three stamps are used up, you’ll need to pay extra to access more tombs. Plan in advance which ones you’d like to visit.
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Ramses V and VI (additional 220 LE, approximately 4.5€)
The tomb was initially started for Ramses V, and quickly had to be completed for Ramses VI. The mummy of Ramses VI is on display at the Cairo Museum. Inside, the paintings are magnificent, better preserved than others, notably the stunning blue and gold astronomical ceiling
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Ramses IX
Upon entering the site, this tomb is one of the first you’ll encounter in the complex. Beautiful, well-preserved paintings are visible, sometimes protected by glass, making it a great introduction.
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Merenptah
This 135-meter-long tomb features a more modest decoration. At the far end, the burial chamber showcases the first granite sarcophagus. The second sarcophagus has been relocated within the tomb.
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Septah
This tomb is unique in that it was left unfinished, as the king died before it could be completed. At the beginning of the tomb, you can still see lovely paintings, protected behind glass, followed by rough walls in the burial chamber. The outlines of the drawings that were meant to be engraved are still visible.
Small shuttle buses are available to take visitors from the ticket office to the entrance (20 LE, about 80¢). If it's not too crowded or hot, the walk takes just 5 minutes.
The guards may offer to take close-up photos with your phone; this is not out of generosity, so expect to give a small tip in exchange.
HATCHEPSOUT TEMPLE (West Bank)
Hatshepsut was one of the first female pharaohs. She had a temple built in her honor to ensure no one could doubt her legitimacy as a woman.
This temple, carved directly into the cliffside, offers an impressive view (440 LE, about 8€). A series of terraces allows visitors to admire the panoramic view of the valley. On both sides, galleries illustrate the great history of the queen. On the left, an ancient chapel dedicated to the goddess Hathor still stands, reflecting the connection between the queen and the gods.
With its clean lines set against a grand backdrop, this monument is a must-see, both for its symbolism and its pharaonic architecture.
The queen took power from her stepson (who was the son of her husband and brother-in-law). To be pharaoh, one had to be a man, so Hatshepsut dressed accordingly and wore a false beard. To solidify her power, she even proclaimed herself the daughter of the god Amon Ra—quite the statement!
It is also possible to visit two additional tombs: El Assasif and Pebla. Far from the crowds, much more modest, and less well-known, they are not essential.
HOT AIR BALOON (West Bank)
Many companies offer hot air balloon rides over the Valley of the Kings at sunrise—a breathtaking sight.
At 4:30 AM, vans pick up their clients and take them to the same launch point in Kurna.
A group of about thirty hot air balloons lies on the ground, with their teams busy harnessing, inflating, and preparing them for takeoff. The landscapes are magnificent, with the first rays of sunlight reflecting off the balloons in the air. For an hour, you soar over fields, the basket skimming the palm trees, offering a view of the temples on the west bank beyond the cliffs. A truly beautiful experience.
As a guest of the pension, book with Kemet House. The price is 60€ per person, including round-trip transport from the hotel. Everything is very well organized by them.
THE TEMPLE OF KARNAK (East Bank)
The complex was built to venerate and celebrate the god Amon. Its official servant is none other than the pharaoh himself, who attends the ceremonies of his awakening each morning. Boats would dock at the ancient quays to bring the god's statues and offerings for each ceremony.
This magnificent temple has continually been enlarged by successive pharaohs. New stones were added to the structure, forming the largest temple in the city today. It is a colossal complex made up of several temples, hypostyle halls (columned halls), obelisks, and statues of all kinds.
The visit to the site (600 LE, about 11€) is organized between two perpendicular axes. The first, aligned with the entrance, is the oldest. The second, starting from the Hidden Court, leads to the avenue of sphinxes, which once again connects to the Temple of Luxor.
In 2004, the government launched an ambitious project to restore, clean, and reinstall the historic avenue of the famous statues with human heads and lion bodies, which had been damaged and buried over time. In 2021, the original 3km-long axis connecting Karnak and Luxor was inaugurated.
LUXOR TEMPLE (East Bank)
Smaller in size but equally symbolic, the Luxor temple is located on the banks of the Nile in the heart of the city.
This "annex" of the Karnak complex is also dedicated to Amon god. Less frequently used, it was the site of the New Year's celebrations. The entrance (500 LE, about 10€) to the complexe is in line with the sphinxes' avenue.
The obelisk at the entrance of the temple has an exact twin located in "Place de la Concorde" in Paris.
The pair was a gift from Egypt to Champollion for his work on the Rosetta Stone. He then gifted it to the French emperor, who renounced the second one due to the cost and logistics of transporting it.
ABOU SIMBEL TEMPLE
Located 500km from Luxor, on the shores of Lake Nasser, the Abu Simbel temple stands as a testament to the grandeur of Pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. This monument, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was saved from the waters in 1968. With the changing water levels of Lake Nasser, the temple was about to be entirely submerged. A large-scale rescue operation allowed the temple to be moved piece by piece to a higher location on the hill, thus preserving it.
It’s an architectural must-see for anyone who appreciates the grandeur of stone and time.
The drive from Luxor takes an average of 7 hours (expect around 15 hours round trip). It’s a long day of travel for about one hour of on-site visit (entrance ticket is 765 LE, approximately €14). You can also fly directly to Abu Simbel airport (about 5 minutes by car from the site).
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Temple principal (Ramses)
At the entrance, four colossal statues represent Ramses II at four different ages. The cliff-side temple is 20 meters high. Inside, numerous scenes glorifying the pharaoh assert his power.
The tomb was built so that the sun naturally illuminates the sanctuary hall twice a year: on February 22nd (the day of his coronation) and October 22nd (his birthday).
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Temple secondaire (Nefertari)
Six statues are erected at the entrance to the temple. Although it is dedicated to the pharaoh's wife, Ramses claimed four of the six statues for himself, leaving the other two to represent Nefertari.
This waterside complex is one of the most beautiful monuments of Egyptian civilization. The colossal statues carved into the cliffside, their gazes fixed on the horizon, offer visitors a truly timeless setting.
Transport booked through Nice Tours for €116/person : Everything went very smoothly. Despite the 15-hour journey, we were comfortable in a private, air-conditioned car just for ourselves. The package doesn’t include the temple entrance, but does include lunch on the way back.
To go further ...
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Cairo : To explore the souk and the pyramids
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Red Sea coast : To dive among coral reefs
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Alexandria : To hear the sirens of the port
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Nile cruise : To sail on a dahabiya
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Aswan : To visit its colorful village
TO EAT & DRINK
1. Sofra, 90 Mohamed Farid Street Al Manshiya, Louxor
This little hidden restaurant in the heart of Luxor offers excellent local cuisine. It’s set in an old city house with a lovely rooftop terrace. Traditional dishes are served in a cozy setting of Berber rugs and sofas.
TO SLEEP
A true favorite — this charming guesthouse, was opened in late 2024 in Luxor by a lovely French-Egyptian couple, quickly won our hearts. It’s ideally located for exploring the west bank of the city.
They offer bookings for a wide range of tours and services: airport shuttle, private driver for the day, hot air balloon rides, and more.
The homemade breakfast and dinner, prepared by a local cook, were absolutely delicious.
