LUXOR
Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes which was once the capital of Egypt. During the period of 1353 to 1336 BCE, this was the largest city in the world, with a population of 80,000 people. Luxor is considered the world’s greatest open-air museum. Here you will visit ancient tombs and temples that are scattered along the east and west bank of the Nile River. Experience a spectacular sunrise over the Nile River while on a Hot Air Balloon. Visit the famous tombs of Nefertari, Tutenkanhum, the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Hot Air Balloon at sunrise over the Nile River
For unforgettable sunrise views of the West Bank of Luxor, take a hot air balloon flight for the most unique views of the tombs and temples. Enjoy the peacefulness as the sun rises over the Nile River.
Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple is the second largest temple complex in the world (Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest). For over 2,000 years, starting in 2000 BCE, temples, monuments, and buildings were added to the complex. Approximately 30 pharaohs added something to the Karnak Temple Complex. Luxor Temple is most impressive at sunset. It is believed that Luxor Temple may have been where many of the kings of ancient Egypt were crowned.
The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground for pharaohs. Famous kings buried here include Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Tuthmosis III, and Set I. The West Bank of Luxor is where the ancient Egyptians buried the dead. Each night, the sun sets on the West Bank, so this became the necropolis, the area that is filled with tombs and mortuary temples.
Valley of the Queens
this is the burial site of the wives of the pharaohs. The tomb of Queen Nefertari is one of the most spectacular tombs that you can visit in Egypt. The detail and the vibrant colors is amazing and unmatched. If you want to get an idea of what the tombs looked like 3,000 years ago, make sure to visit!
Avenue of the Sphinxes
The Avenue of the Sphinxes is an ancient processional road 1.7 miles long, that was used in a festival once a year connecting Karnak to Luxor Temple. It is estimated that 1350 sphinxes line this ancient road.
Colossi of Memnon
are two massive monumental stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were built as guardians for Amenhotep’s mortuary complex. They are carved from a single block of sandstone and are 60 feet tall, each one of them weighing in at 720 tonnes. To put that into perspective, each one of these statues weigh more than two Boeing 747 planes including fuel, passengers and their cargo, with its maximum safe take-off weight of 265 tonnes.