VIP Day Trip from El Gouna to Luxor in a Private Vehicle

Highlights

• Benefit from the private tour and start your adventure in ancient Egypt
• Experience the fascinating history of the Egyptian Old Kingdom and the pharaohs up close
• The mortuary temple of Ramses III. in Medinet Habu is the best-preserved temple on the western bank of the Nile
• The Valley of the Kings is the holy resting place of the great pharaohs and rulers of ancient Egypt
• The mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramses III. in Medinet Habu is one of the largest and most magnificent of its kind
• With around 60 buildings, Karnak Temple is the largest temple complex in Egypt
• The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut is incorporated into a mountain range and has 3 terraces

Description

The private day tour with your personal guide and driver offers a varied discovery tour to the highlights of the Pharaonic culture. Off the beaten track, you will get to know the charming gems in Luxor and experience the fascination of ancient Egypt. Accompanied by your personal guide, visit the following highlights on your tour:

● The valley of the kings
The Valley of the Kings is a huge cemetery and a famous landmark in Egypt. Egyptian rulers, including Pharaoh Tutankhamun, were buried there more than 3000 years ago. The researchers have now uncovered around 60 rock graves. Finds of hand axes and other stone tools suggest that the Valley of the Kings was already inhabited by humans in the Paleolithic over 2 million years ago. To date, 64 graves have been discovered in the valley between steep rock faces, in which pharaohs their relatives or high officials were buried during the times of the ancient Egyptian New Kingdom.

● Hatshepsut temple
The unique Temple of Hatshepsut Queen, located in the Deir el-Bahari district, is one of the oldest architectural structures in the world. According to historical data, the construction work was in 1473 B.C.E. completed. The ancient complex in Theben-West lies at the foot of a steep mountain and impresses with its extraordinary architecture. Almost 3,500 years is a very long time, even for such an imposing structure. At the end of the 19th century, the mortuary temple complex was a ruin hidden in rock rubble, rediscovered by a British expedition. It is known as the "Millions of Years House", which in the New Kingdom is used to name royal mortuary temples or temples that serve another royal cult and symbolize the union of a pharaoh with an important deity.

● Karnak temple
Only a few kilometers north of Luxor is the village of Karnak on the eastern bank of the Nile. Karnak was the main place of worship of the empire god Amun-Re and the largest shrine in the entire empire. Here are the remains of what is probably the largest temple in Egypt. The magic of the place, which fascinates its visitors, can be felt especially in the heart of the complex, the pillared hall. It was planned and built by Pharaoh: Ramses I (1307-1306 BC). The work continued under Seti I (1306-1290 BC) and ended under his son Ramses II (1290-1224 BC). Since it is one of the most important temples in all of Egypt, it is also one of the more imposing temples. It is “a must” for every visitor in Luxor!

● Medinet Habu mortuary temple of Ramses III. in West Thebes
In the area of the old Thebes, Ramses III. build his mortuary temple. His most famous victory was that against the Sea Peoples, which is represented on seven panels on the walls of the first portico. The pylons of the porticos, the colonnades, and pillars are decorated with scenes of battle and the sacrificial passage of the prisoners. The main temple is very well preserved, the majestic pylons are decorated over and over with reliefs. The large and very deep hieroglyphs are particularly striking. The complex includes outbuildings, the priest's house, the royal palace of Amenhotep III., and the temple of Thutmose. In addition to the mortuary temple and its outer fortifications, the complex also includes a smaller Amun temple, originally dating back to the 18th dynasty, and small chapel shrines for some Theban wives of God.

● The Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon are two colossal ancient Egyptian statues from the 14th century BC, standing side by side. They are located in the Nile Valley not far from the Valley of the Kings in Thebes-West. The two quartzite monuments represent Pharaoh Amenophis III. and once stood in front of the first pylon of perhaps the largest temple in Egypt. Today the statues including the plinth are still around 18 meters high. Originally, the height with the crown on the pharaoh's head was about 21 meters. The feet were each about two meters long and one meter wide.

Annotation:
- Not all graves are open to the public. Some of the graves are permanently closed, while others may be closed for restoration purposes. In the Valley of the Kings, you can visit 2 to 3 graves

- If you want to see the resting place of Tut Ench Amuns, you have to pay an additional entrance ticket.

- There is now a complete ban on photos for the entire Valley of the Kings. Cameras have to be handed in when entering and are only given again when leaving.

- With the purchase of a video ticket for EGP 300, you can take photos/videography in one grave per ticket. An exception is the grave of Seti I. Tickets are only available at the ticket booth near the Colossi of Memnon, not on site. All graves now have an explanation at the grave entrance on a modern and informative board about the history, architecture, and decoration.

- Basic plans and important detailed recordings are presented. These tables were created with the support of the Theban Mapping Project by the Egyptian Antiquities Authority.

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