Jam-Packed Fun!
Welcome to Luxor, Egypt! Get ready for a blast in the past in this ancient wonderland situated along the majestic banks of the River Nile. Picture yourself wandering through temples, exploring hidden tombs, and maybe even finding treasure – who knows!
Egypt is known for its iconic landmarks and attractions, such as the Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx in Cairo. It holds a prominent place in the world’s cultural heritage. Some of the most fascinating attractions are located in Luxor.
While in Hurghada, my mum and I decided to take a day trip to Luxor to explore as much as possible. In this blog, I’ll go through all the stunning attractions we saw so you can explore Cairo in one day.
If you want to go on a solo trip but are unsure where to start, the Female Solo Travel Ebook covers everything you need to know for an epic solo adventure!
Quick Links
Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links. If you purchase any cool products or experiences through these links, I may earn a little something as a thank you. There is no extra cost to you, promise!
Karnak Temple
Our first stop on the Hurghada to Luxor Tour was at Karnak Temple, which means ‘Fortified Village’ in Arabic. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with decayed temples, chapels, and buildings aligned with a village.
The Karnak Temples dedicated to the Egyptian Gods of the sun and air, Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, have been places of pilgrimage for nearly 200 years and are considered among the most significant religious buildings in the world!
The beautiful scenery at Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple site is huge, so you’ll get plenty of steps in. Although there were many tourists, it wasn’t overwhelming because this location is spacious.
If you have not yet realised, this famous location has been used to film many movies and episodes. The most famous film using the Karnak Temple was ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, played by James Bond 007 in 1977. So, this is a hot spot to add to your list of things to do in Luxor.
Where a James Bonds scene was filmed
We spent just over an hour in complete awe at the Karnak Temple. After answering all our questions and taking photos, we set off for lunch by the River Nile.
Lunch By The River Nile In Luxor
We went to Sultana, a restaurant near the River Nile, where we indulged in a three-course meal included in the tour ticket price. It was also a great way to get to know the other tourists on our tour over food. After 45 minutes, we were ready to get on with the adventure.
*The same tour (at cheaper rates) is available if you are already in Luxor.
Nice entrance to Sultana restaurant, where we had lunch (ft. my mum)
Luxor Boat On The River Nile
The River Nile flows a short walk away from the restaurant. It was simply surreal to realize that this great river, spoken about in schools and on many people’s wishlists, lay before me. I recommend adding this to your things to see list while spending a day in Cairo.
The River Nile is one of the two longest rivers in the world. Did you know it flows from south to north, in the opposite direction of most rivers? This unique characteristic has baffled scientists for centuries and adds to the mysticism of this iconic waterway.
Boarding our Luxor boat on the famous River Nile
We hopped on a quirky little boat to cross the River Nile to our next stop on the tour, which took at most ten minutes. Once we jumped off the boat, we headed towards our minivan and went to a local market nearby, where some of the group purchased souvenirs. Shortly after 45 minutes, we headed off to Medinet Habu.
Medinet Habu
We arrived at Medinet Habu, a magical, beautiful sandstone temple known as Rameses III’s mortuary temple. At 490 feet long, it is the second-largest complex after Karnak Temple.
Remember to look up when exploring the Medinet Habu, as it is covered with incredible hieroglyphic carvings, mainly on the walls and ceilings. You could easily lose track of time in this fascinating place, so allocate your time evenly, as there are plenty of things to see here.
We had a good time here before hopping back into the minivan for a short drive to our next location. En route, the guide gave us great information about what to expect and what to do once we arrived at the Valley of the Kings.
Medinet Habu carvings on the walls
Valley Of The Kings
On arrival at the Valley of the Kings, we transferred into a mini cart, which led us to the entrance to save time walking to the main site—no complaints, of course, after a long day of walking around. We entered many of the tombs, which were just so amazing. Inside the Valley of the Kings were colourful, and the carvings were jaw-droppingly beautiful. This is a must-see!
Arriving at the Temple of Kings and inside one temple
Travelling alone but feeling nervous? The How To Travel Solo Ebook has tips for planning safe, confident, and unforgettable adventures!
The Ancient Egyptians respected and proudly maintained the Valley of the King’s underground mausoleums and the bodies inside them. Mummification preserved the bodies so the deceased’s eternal soul was restored in the afterlife.
You can also visit the well-known Tut-Ank-Amun temple. This was a fantastic place to visit, with each temple bringing many unique characteristics. Additionally, each temple had different carvings and was visually stunning.
TIP: Be mindful of workers inside the Valley of the Kings. They will ask if you want your pictures taken and then ask for money once they’ve taken them, so negotiate beforehand or politely say no thank you.
That was one of my favourite things to do on our one day in Cairo. With only an hour of sightseeing, we went to our next location, where we had two more stops.
Beautiful carvings inside the Valley of the Kings
Al Deir Al Bahari (Hatshepsut) Luxor Temple
Al Dier Al Bahari Temple, also known by the Egyptians as ‘Djeser-Dejeser’, which means ‘A Saint among the Saints’, consists of three levels and a colonnade covered with beautifully painted reliefs representing temple rituals and religious festivals.
The actual temple inside is known as ‘Hatshepsut’. Hatshepsut was the child of a king; unlike the others, she was a woman and one of only a few pharaohs in thousands of years of Ancient Egyptian history. The building’s formation is incredible and visually stunning, just like every location we had stopped at on this tour.
Where the temple of Hatshepsut resides
Colossi Of Memnon
Built in 1350 BC, the two Colossi of Memnon statues were built to protect and guard the tomb of King Amenhotep II near the Valley of Queens. Colossi of Memnon was once the biggest temple in the world! However, the earthquakes ruined it, and it now stands isolated at 60 feet tall.
Colossi of Memnom sits at 60ft tall
Unfortunately, we arrived at the Colossi of Memnom just as it closed, so we didn’t spend time there. Instead, we took some photos from the side of the road; however, being up close to the Colossi of Memnom would have been more awesome. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the view from the minivan before heading back to Hurghada.
Other Things To Do:
That’s A Wrap!
That was our complete tour, a long but very worthy one. If you’re contemplating whether to take this trip to Luxor, I say YES, do it! It’s a great way to educate yourself on Egypt’s ancient history whilst enjoying spectacular views. Enjoy!
Interested in other things to see in Egypt? Check out ‘Things to see in Cairo‘.
