Egypt - Nile holidays

Things to do

You can explore Luxor’s East Bank, a bustling market town built around the striking Luxor Temple, with its courtyard and sanctuaries dedicated to the Theban gods. The Temple of Karnak also waits to be explored; lose yourself in its Great Hypostyle Hall.

Luxor’s West Bank is home to probably the best known of Egypt’s attractions, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, as well as Deir el-Bahri, a temple built for Queen Hatshepsut, the longest reigning female pharaoh.

See fascinating artefacts in the Luxor Museum, from pottery and jewellery to furniture and statues, and learn about the embalming process at the Mummification Museum, where you can come face to face with a mummified high priest.

On your holiday in Luxor, you can have true once in a lifetime experiences like walking down the Avenue of the Sphinxes and marvelling at the towering statues of Luxor Temple.

You can explore the tombs and temples of ancient Thebes for a fascinating insight into Egypt’s rich history.

To take in the romance and history of Luxor, you can amble along the banks of the Nile in a horse-drawn hantour carriage or linger over a candlelit dinner at the Old Winter Palace, where the great Egyptologists once stayed.

Explore your destination

Here’s a little taste of what’s on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Edfu Temple

Visit this farming town, found on the Nile's riverbank, where you'll see the amazing Egyptian Temple of Horus (the falcon god), which is almost completely preserved.

Luxor's West Bank

Be sure to see Luxor's West Bank, where Egypt's best known attractions can be found, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Highlights

• Exploring Luxor’s East Bank, a bustling market town built around the striking Luxor Temple, whose courtyard and sanctuaries were dedicated to the Theban gods
• Losing yourself in the Great Hypostyle Hall, part of Karnak’s huge complex of temples, and deciphering the inscriptions on the walls
• Viewing the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile, home to the tombs of ancient Egyptian royalty: just make sure you get there early to avoid the queues
• Seeing Egypt’s most famous sights on Luxor’s West Bank, including Deir el-Bahri, a temple built for Queen Hatshepsut, the longest reigning female pharaoh
• Discovering fascinating artefacts in the Luxor Museum in the centre of the city, from pottery and jewellery to furniture and statues
• Learning about the embalming process at Mummification Museum on the East Bank, where you can see a mummified high priest on your holiday in Luxor
• Wandering between the huge stone figures on the Avenue of the Sphinxes, the famous road stretching from the temples of Karnak to Luxor Temple
• Uncovering the tombs and temples of ancient Thebes, once the capital of Egypt, on the West Bank for a fascinating insight into the nation’s rich history
• Lingering over a candlelit dinner at Luxor’s famous Old Winter Palace, where the great Egyptologists, who studied Egypt’s ancient history, once stayed
• Travelling down the world-famous River Nile in a traditional Felucca sailing boat for a true Egyptian experience

Food and drink

Egyptian cuisine is often aromatically spiced and traditional dishes include ‘ful’, a spicy stew of bean kofta kebabs and lamb.

The national drink is tea, Chai, usually served black with sugar, or try karkadé, served hot or cold, a deep-red infusion of hibiscus flowers.

Taste the refreshing local beer, Sakara, or for a tea break Egyptian style, sample the shisha, a pipe filled with a special kind of tobacco mixed with molasses.

Evening Flavour

If you’ve spent the day soaking up the Nile’s history, sun and ancient monuments then, chances are, you’re not up for a big night on the tiles. And this is just as well since Luxor’s not lavished with hot nightspots. But, if you do need to move to the groove, you’d be best to stay in your hotel and check out the cocktails and entertainment on offer. Or, ask your Holiday Advisor for tips on where to see belly dancing, Nubian folklore shows or enjoy a dinner cruise.

Shopping

Explore Luxor’s bazaars and you’ll find local crafts made from materials such as brass, Mother of Pearl and glass, and remember, it’s considered rude not to haggle.

Handmade alabaster cups and vases, mainly sold on the West Bank, are a good buy and you can also find clay pots, hand carved wood, pottery, embroidery and beadwork to remind you of your holiday in Luxor.

Dates for the Diary

Luxor twinkles with lights and excitement every November for the King Tut Festival, celebrating the day Tutankhamun’s tomb was found in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.

For the Family

• Learn about the lotions and potions that make a mummy last at the Mummification Museum.
  
• Swap horsepower for sail power and enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional Felucca down the River Nile.
  
• See how the ancients lived and worshipped at the well-preserved Egyptian Temple of Horus.

Information

Language: Arabic, English and Egyptian. Currency: Egyptian Pound (LE). Standard GMT:+2hrs. Egyptian Tourist Office: Egypt House, 170 Piccadilly, London W1V 9DD. Tel: 020 7493 5283. www.gotoegypt.org

Travel money

Egyptian Pound

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.

Travel foundation

Training tour guides in Egypt


When you book a holiday with us we’ll ask you to make a small donation to the World Care Fund. With your contributions, we’re training snorkelling guides in environmental issues and helping to develop an official training. The project’s creating jobs for local people, protecting the marine environment and improving the quality of snorkelling in the area.

Our World Care Fund project partner, The Travel Foundation, is an independent sustainable tourism charity that works in close partnership with the UK travel industry to fund these projects.