Earth > Luxor, Egypt
BBC 50 Things To Do
Before You Die
BBC 50 Places To See
Before You Die
Visit The Pyramids
Cosmos Tourama offer an eight day River Nile cruise which provides a perfect introduction to all that Ancient Egypt has to offer. Marvel at the ancient, sun-baked wonders of Luxor and Aswan before experiencing the treasures of Cairo and the spectacular pyramids at Giza.
Another recommended company offering Nile cruises is Kuoni where you can choose to sail on a luxury cruise ship or a more intimate beautifully-crafted boat.
Sunshine offer hotels and flights to Luxor, the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, and a city described as the "world's greatest open air museum".
And if you are looking for a flight and hotel package deal to Cairo or simply a hotel in Cairo, look no further than Sunshine for unbeatable prices.
Hotels are also available in Giza via Sunshine - including hotel rooms with views of the pyramids themselves!
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Visit the world's largest open air museum - Luxor in Egypt
The Egyptian town of Luxor is often called the world's larghest open air museum - and with good reason. It lies on the banks of the River Nile in Upper Egypt (Southern Egypt) and is home to an embarrassment of Ancient Egyptian temples, monuments and artifacts.
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Have you ever been to Luxur? If so we would love to hear all about your experiences (perhaps with a photo or two). You can contact us via our contact page.
Do Something Different Before You Die
Take A Hot Air Balloon Flight Over The Valley Of the Kings!
From one of the most spectacular hot air balloon launch sites in the world, enjoy breathtaking views of the mighty River Nile and the Valley of the Kings as you calmly float over the serene Egyptian desert. more
Go Quad Biking In The Sinai Desert!
Enjoy a thrilling quad bike adventure across the hauntingly beautiful Sinai Desert culminating in the chance to experience the sun setting over this stunning landscape. more
Essential Further Reading
Egypt
Lonely Planet Guide
Price: £15.99
In the 5th century BC Herodotus wrote of Egypt that "nowhere are there so many marvellous things - nor in the world besides are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness" - and not too much has changed. The voracious energy of Cairo, the grandeur of Luxor's monuments, the laid-back vibe of Dahab and the remote beauty of the Western Desert oases: Lonely Planet's bestselling guide to Egypt packs in more treasures than Tutankhamun's tomb.
More information
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 The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient capital city of Waset, home to the great Pharoah Ramses III and the city the Greeks called Thebes.
Luxor itself is on the East Bank of the River Nile and has much to offer visitors. Here you'll find the Luxor Temple, the Temple of Karnak, the Luxor Museum with its pharoahs and their treasures, and most of the city's hotels and restaurants.
The Luxur Temple will only take up an hour or so of your time and is a must. It's slap bang in the middle of town. The Luxur Museum is another place you will want to visit as it will help you make sense of much of what you will see during your visit.
A short ferry ride or bridge away, on the East Bank of the Nile, are the ancient remains of Thebes. Here you will find The Valley Of The Kings as well as The Valley Of The Queens.
The Valley Of The Kings
was the final resting place of Tutankhamun, Ramesses VI and other Pharoahs and is open to the public daily from 6am to 6pm in the Summer and from 9am to 5pm in the Winter. Admission is buy ticket which includes entrance to three of the tombs - if you want to visit more than three, you'll need to buy another ticket!
Not surprisingly, the tomb of Tutankhamun is the most popular, but the fabulous riches that it once held have long since been removed to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo so it may disappoint. The tomb of Ramesses VI is much bigger by contrast and is perhaps the best preserved decoratively in the Valley.
Only four tombs are open to the public in the Valley of the Queens with that of Queen Nefertari the most important. Entry is by ticket again and because of its popularity and small size, the number of tickets per day and the time you can spend in the tomb will be limited.
North of Luxor are the Temples of Karnak, once the most important place of worship in ancient Egypt and a worthy addition to any itinary.
Luxor has its own international airport so reaching it today is much easier than it was for the first package holiday pilgrims taken by one Thomas Cook in 1869. In fact Thomas Cook is one of several companies and airlines flying directly to Luxor from UK airports today!
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