August 9, 2026 — 5:00am
On a visit to Luxor, take your time, and prepare to be astounded by its rich archeological bounty.
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, on the west bank, is backed by barren cliffs and, from a distance, has the curiously modern look of a communist dictator’s mausoleum. Closer up it offers far more architectural merit and intriguing embellishments. Three terraces linked by long ramps are lined by colonnades and statues, and reliefs depict events from female pharaoh Hatshepsut’s reign. The interior, which has several altars, is crosshatched with shadows that create a sense of elegance and contemplation despite the temple’s monumental size. See egymonuments.gov.eg
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This cluttered downtown temple dedicated to Amun was added to over centuries, including by the Romans, but despite the muddle has an imposing presence. A much later mosque was built into the temple structure in a fine example of the casual way past and present blur in Egypt. Sphinxes stare at you on the approach. The Great Colonnade shows scenes from the Opet festival: look out for the backflipping acrobats. The monument stays open after dark, when bats come out and the atmosphere is delightfully eerie. See egymonuments.gov.eg
