Best things to do along the Nile
From a cruise along the Nile to Luxor Temple, here are the best things to do along the Nile River.
#1 Explore Luxor Temple
Luxor, 675 km (420 miles) south of Cairo, is the most important and most spectacular site in all of Egypt. Al Uqsur (the Palaces) is the Arabic name for ancient Thebes, the splendid capital city of the New Kingdom (1570–1070 BC) rulers, whose glory still glowed in the memories of classical writers a thousand years after its decline.
Here, the booty of foreign wars, tribute and taxes poured into the coffers of the pharaohs of the 18th and 19th dynasties, each of whom surpassed his predecessor in the construction of gorgeous temples and tombs, creating a concentration of monuments that rivals that of any imperial city before.
This fine temple at Luxor was developed over many centuries. Its massive Hypostyle Hall is the largest hall of any temple in the world, and its columns are carved with scenes of the pharaohs who built it.
#2 Visit the Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is a historic and archeological wonder located on the west bank of the Nile river in Luxor. It served as the final resting place of numerous pharaohs and powerful nobles during the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, roughly spanning from the 16th to the 11th century BCE.
With its rich cultural and historical significance, the Valley of the Kings is recognized as one of the most important and impressive archaeological sites in the world, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe. There are 63 principal tombs, and undoubtedly more to be discovered. In most of the tombs, long, elaborately decorated corridors lead down through a series of chambers and false doors to the burial vault.
The entrance passage is painted with texts and illustrations from mortuary literature and the Book of the Dead. Only a few of the tombs are open to the public at one time, as a rotation system has been introduced to The entrance to the valley is from the visitors centre (6am–4pm in winter, until 5pm in summer; the standard ticket is valid for three tombs, and extra tickets are required for Tutankhamun).
In the air-conditioned hall, guides explain the history behind the Valley of the Kings, while visitors can see a model of the site, use the computers to find out more protect the tomb walls from further deterioration caused by flashlights and respiration
#3 Be wowed by Karnak Temple
The temple complex of Amun-Ra at Karnak was one of the most important religious and intellectual centres for more than 13 centuries and its neighbouring buildings, 3km (1.75 miles) north of the centre of Luxor, constitute the most awe-inspiring of all the Egyptian monuments.
Apart from the immense conglomeration of elements that makes up the temple itself, it also has a particularly complicated plan. This fine temple at Luxor was developed over many centuries. Its massive Hypostyle Hall is the largest hall of any temple in the world, and its columns are carved with scenes of the pharaohs who built it.