Day 8: Luxor
Overnight - Sofitel Winter Palace
Your destination this morning is the incredible Karnak Temple Complex. Occupying about 200 acres, the Karnak Temple and its structures are purported to be the largest religious complex ever to be built. Construction of the first parts started about 5000 years ago, and continued over the reign of about 30 Pharaohs.
The site is made up of four parts, out of which only the largest part, the Precinct of Amun-Re, is open to the public. This is the second most visited site in Egypt after the Giza Pyramids. Experience the hundreds of ancient structures, including the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall, a 50,000 square foot Hall with 134 massive beautifully carved pillars. 122 of these pillars are 33 feet tall, while the other 12 are 69 feet high and almost 10 feet in diameter.
After your exploration of the Karnak Complex, you will return to your hotel for a break to freshen up and have lunch. The mid-afternoon can include a visit to the Mummification Museum which offers great information on this ancient Egyptian process, along with many more fascinating exhibits. The process of mummification, and the materials used in the process, are displayed in detail. The mummies on display include the 3000 plus year old mummy of Masaharta, the High Priest of Amun at Thebes. There are also mummies of cats, fish and crocodiles.
Luxor Temple and Sunset Illumination: In the late afternoon you will accompany your guide to the Luxor Temple. This is the best time to visit this magnificent 3400-year-old Temple Complex as it allows you to first explore its incredible attractions in daylight and then be mesmerized at sunset as the artfully placed spotlights illuminate the façade and the scores of ancient attractions the complex contains.
Avenue of Sphinxes Moonlight Walk: From the Temple you will experience a walk on the similarly lit Avenue of Sphinxes. This ancient royal pathway finished a massive reclamation and restoration project and opened to the public with much fanfare in November 2021. It is a unique experience to walk along the broad avenue in the dark, flanked by gently illuminated ancient sphinxes. The Avenue of Sphinxes was ‘The King’s Festivities Road’, and runs the full 1.7 miles between the awe-inspiring temples of Luxor and Karnak – you can choose to walk as far as you want before returning to your hotel.
Your destination this morning is the incredible Karnak Temple Complex. Occupying about 200 acres, the Karnak Temple and its structures are purported to be the largest religious complex ever to be built. Construction of the first parts started about 5000 years ago, and continued over the reign of about 30 Pharaohs.
The site is made up of four parts, out of which only the largest part, the Precinct of Amun-Re, is open to the public. This is the second most visited site in Egypt after the Giza Pyramids. Experience the hundreds of ancient structures, including the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall, a 50,000 square foot Hall with 134 massive beautifully carved pillars. 122 of these pillars are 33 feet tall, while the other 12 are 69 feet high and almost 10 feet in diameter.
After your exploration of the Karnak Complex, you will return to your hotel for a break to freshen up and have lunch. The mid-afternoon can include a visit to the Mummification Museum which offers great information on this ancient Egyptian process, along with many more fascinating exhibits. The process of mummification, and the materials used in the process, are displayed in detail. The mummies on display include the 3000 plus year old mummy of Masaharta, the High Priest of Amun at Thebes. There are also mummies of cats, fish and crocodiles.
Luxor Temple and Sunset Illumination: In the late afternoon you will accompany your guide to the Luxor Temple. This is the best time to visit this magnificent 3400-year-old Temple Complex as it allows you to first explore its incredible attractions in daylight and then be mesmerized at sunset as the artfully placed spotlights illuminate the façade and the scores of ancient attractions the complex contains.
Avenue of Sphinxes Moonlight Walk: From the Temple you will experience a walk on the similarly lit Avenue of Sphinxes. This ancient royal pathway finished a massive reclamation and restoration project and opened to the public with much fanfare in November 2021. It is a unique experience to walk along the broad avenue in the dark, flanked by gently illuminated ancient sphinxes. The Avenue of Sphinxes was ‘The King’s Festivities Road’, and runs the full 1.7 miles between the awe-inspiring temples of Luxor and Karnak – you can choose to walk as far as you want before returning to your hotel.