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Luxor Package, Excursion Tours Including Valley of the Kings and Colossi of Memnon
Luxor Tour 1: Valley of the Kings Tour
Experience the grandeur of the Valley of the Kings in Thebes! Many tombs still contain inscriptions of the Pharaohs formal names and titles. These tombs – carved out of solid limestone and most following the pattern of a sunken sarcophagus chamber, an antechamber and three corridors – began to be built in the 18th Dynasty, when Pyramid-style tombs were abandoned. They were difficult to rob and were easily concealed. They were built in the Valley up until the 20th Dynasty when burials returned to Memphis.
Valley of the Kings
Luxor Tour 2: Tour of the Colossi of Memnon
Visit the impressive 23 meter (75-foot) high Colossi of Memnon, the last remnants of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III! These two gigantic statues are 1,000-ton representations of Amenhotep III. Even though tourists and nature have damaged them, they are still daunting.
Colossi of Memnon
Both were carved from solid blocks of quartzite quarried at Gebel es-Silsila or Giza. There are reliefs depicting a symbolic unification of Egypt by the Nile gods. Names in reference to the colossi include the “Ruler of Rulers” by the ancient Egyptians and, later, explorers referred to them as “Shammy” and “Tammy” – possibly Arabic words for “left” and “right.”
A fascinating fact is that, after a 27 BC earthquake, both still emit a bell-like tone on most mornings due to rising humidity and temperatures!
Luxor Tour 3: Abydos and Dandara Day Trip
Your first stop is a sightseeing tour of Abydos. Ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris, God of the Underworld, is buried there. The temple dedicated to Osiris has many paintings of Pharaohs and Gods that are considered as some of the best preserved in all of Egypt. After, you will visit the Temple of Hathor – the Goddess of joy and love – in Dandara.
Abydos Temple
Dandara Temple
Luxor Tour 4: Trip of a Lifetime to Kom Ombo and Edfu
Kom Ombo
Our representative will escort you from your Luxor hotel on a fabulous tour of Edfu. A horse carriage will cart you to a grand temple dedicated to Horus in Edfu. This temple is one of the best-preserved cult temples in Egypt. It is said that this temple is the spot where Horus – the falcon-headed God – avenged Osiris’ (his father’s) death by killing Seth. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.
Luxor Tour 5: Tour of the Majestic Hatshepsut Temple
This temple, dedicated to the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, is truly majestic! You will first encounter an awe-inspiring tree-lined avenue of sphinxes. You will be struck by the ramps that lead from terrace to terrace. A feature of Hatshepsut’s temple is that the lowest porticoes differ in colour and are larger than the upper porticoes. A 1906 restoration took place to protect the reliefs depicting the birth of Hatshepsut and obelisk transport to Karnak. Also, see grandiose reliefs on the middle terrace’s south side that depict her expedition to Punt – the land of incense – by way of the Red Sea!
Luxor Tour 6: Tour of the Valley of the Kings by Donkey
The Valley of Kings comes to life when you visit by donkey! After pickup from your Luxor hotel, you will sail the Nile River to the West Bank while enjoying the glorious sunrise and the morning breezes. Thereafter, you will be escorted by donkey through various villages to the Valley. The house of Howard Carter, the archaeologist who excavated King Tut’s tomb is next on the agenda. After, you will return through the villages to the motor boat and be taken back to your hotel.
Luxor Tour 7: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor
Enjoy the majesty of the Nile Valley in all its glory in a hot air balloon ride! A Maxim Tours representative will transport you from your Luxor hotel to the marina. After you enjoy some soft drinks, you will be taken by motor boat to the West Bank. Then off to the boarding area! Your journey will begin over Luxor’s biggest open-air museum. Even though the Balloon Ride departs every day, it is recommended to call ahead to ensure there is space.
Luxor Tour 8: Sound and Light Show at Temples of Karnak
Really visit the past and the practices of worship at this sound and light show depicting the history of Karnak’s temples. Constructed from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom to the Greco-Roman Period, Karnak’s temples have always been the greatest example of worship throughout history. These temples were dedicated to the God Amon, his son Khonsu, and his wife Mut.
Address: 17th Tairan Street, Nasr City , Cairo , Egypt.
Tel: (202) 22602482 - 22602486 - 22602356
Fax: (202) 22602349
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