Steigenberger Nile Palace

Egypt's Modern History

Off-the-beaten-track Cruise + 2 more + 3 more

A delightful introduction to the fascinating events that have shaped Egypt since Biblical times

10 days

from £3,915 pp

including flights

Simply Egypt

Express Beach + 2 more + 3 more

Cairo's iconic sights paired with pure Red Sea relaxation.

11 days

from £3,520 pp

including flights

Ultimate Egypt

Ultimate Cruise + 1 more + 2 more

A route packed with adventure & luxury for those looking to splash out on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

16 days

from £4,960 pp

including flights

Classic Ultimate + 3 more + 3 more

Egypt and Jordan Discovery

Jordan, Egypt

Experience the best of Egypt and Jordan in one unforgettable trip.

13 days

from £4,815 pp

including flights

Classic Egypt

Classic Express + 3 more + 3 more

Big-name ancient highlights and a classic Nile cruise

8 days

from £2,810 pp

including flights

Highlights of Egypt

Classic Cruise + 3 more + 3 more

Culture in Cairo, cruising the Nile and relaxation by the Red Sea

11 days

from £3,415 pp

including flights

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Egypt

Valley of the Kings

Very few places on the planet carry the same mystique and grandeur as the Valley of the Kings. One of Egypt’s undisputed must-see sights, a visit here inspires childlike excitement in even the most hardened of travellers. Immortalised in literature and film since the accidental discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen by Howard Carter in 1922, the very name conjures unmistakable images of adventure and derring-do. Evocatively located in a secluded wadi on Luxor’s West Bank, this is the site where pharaohs of the New Kingdom (roughly 1,500BC) were transported after death for burial in rock-cut tombs and a supposed journey into the afterlife. New tombs are still being uncovered to this day, and there are currently 63 in total, not all of which are possible to visit. With an eye on preservation and restoration, a limited number of tombs are open at one time and photography inside is not permitted. They are regularly rotated so that none become overused, and repeat visitors will usually get to see something new. The most famous of all is the Tomb of Tutankhamen, which is subject to an additional entrance fee. Features contained in the tombs on their discovery might have included sarcophaguses, bejewelled everyday objects and the mummified remains of the pharaoh himself, but most of these objects have now been moved to museums or plundered by opportunists. Inside, the carvings, reliefs and chambers can vary significantly, but an exploration of the Valley of the Kings is always an incredibly atmospheric, visceral experience. Perhaps most fascinating are the colourful reliefs, usually depicting the pharaoh's journey to the afterlife, fraught with potential pitfalls and illustrated by some truly vivid, recognisable iconography.

Temple of Dendera

Situated on the West Bank of the Nile, roughly 60km north of Luxor, Dendera receives far fewer visitors than the fabled pharaonic highlights further south. It is included on some of the longer Nile cruise itineraries or can be visited by land from Luxor; those who make the effort are usually glad they did. The temple complex here is beautifully preserved, its sprawling layout surrounded by a huge mud-brick wall and an attractive ribbon of verdant green countryside, spilling out from the Nile towards the Western Desert.The dominant structure within the walls is the impressive Temple of Hathor, containing an array of treasures including a hypostyle hall, numerous shrines and staircases and some vivid reliefs, including some that portray Cleopatra. Her depictions highlight that this complex was influenced by Rome, and some of the temples and reliefs display clear Roman iconography rather than Ancient Egyptian. With a user-friendly visitors’ centre and a café for much-needed refreshments, this is an extremely pleasant place to spend a few hours, often in conjunction with a trip to Abydos, further north.

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor

A hot air balloon ride is one of the most memorable ways to experience Luxor. Taking off just after sunrise, you’ll drift quietly above the Nile and the patchwork of fields, villages and ancient monuments below, with the early morning light casting a special kind of majesty over the landscapes. From the air, you’ll see famous sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple and the surrounding desert cliffs, all from a completely different perspective. The flight will be smooth and unhurried, offering plenty of time to take in the views before returning to the ground for the rest of your day’s sightseeing. It’s an early start, but a rewarding one and more than worth it, you’d struggle to find a better start to your day in Luxor.

Luxor Museum

Centrally located on the Corniche, Luxor Museum is highly recommended for those looking to contextualise all they’ve seen during time exploring Luxor. Smaller, more modern and far less chaotic than its Cairo equivalent, the museum is a pleasant space in itself, particularly as much of the sightseeing in Luxor is conducted outdoors in searing heat. Many of the treasures that were removed in excavations, both of the West Bank tombs and the great East Bank temples, are on display here, including some artefacts from the Tomb of Tutankhamen. Although deliberately limited in volume to make exploration of the museum a manageable, hassle free experience, there is great variety on show. Over the two floors of exhibits, visitors can see colourful wall reliefs, enigmatic statues, ancient sandstone blocks and rather grizzly royal mummies. Sympathetically lit, labelled and spaced out, the museum is an essential stop during free time on Luxor’s East Bank.

Tour of Luxor's West Bank

An incredible array of temples and tombs line Luxor’s West Bank, easily combinable with the Valley of the Kings, we highly recommend heading off on a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide to really uncover the majesty of this part of Ancient Egypt. While the fabled Valley of the Kings has hogged the West Bank limelight since the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen, there is a vast treasure trove of attractions to discover elsewhere. Arguably, many of these sites are better preserved, more extensive and certainly more accessible than the Valley of the Kings, with at least three of Egypt’s most impressive Pharaonic temples and some legendary iconography. Programmes and exact sites can vary significantly, based on which cruise you take or whether you’re using a Luxor hotel and a private guide to explore. There are more than enough exceptional sites to see to spend at least one full day exploring the area. Among the highlights is the Temple of Hatshepsut, its collonaded terraces set in a natural bowl and spectacularly located against a rugged, timeless backdrop. Two extensive, extravagant mortuary temples are also often included on sightseeing itineraries: the Ramesseum and the Medinat Habu. Dedicated to consecutive Ramesses’ (II & III), these are amongst Egypt’s largest, best preserved and most instructive temple complexes. Then there is the Colossi of Memnon, presiding serenely over sugar cane fields and visited at least for a brief photo stop by virtually all West Bank visitors. With all of these attractions, you can explore some of them independently, but there is much to be gained by the presence of an experienced guide at the major sights.