Luxor, in the ancient age, was the magnificent capital of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. The city is considered as world’s largest open-air museum, graced by resplendent temples on its east bank and exquisite tombs on the west bank. Hardly any city in the world can match Luxor endowed with an epic cluster of antiquities. If there’s one city that brings ancient Egypt vividly to life, it’s Luxor.
So many unforgettable things to do in Luxor that it could take a lifetime to fathom it. If your plan is to live and breath ancient Egyptian history, then this detailed 3-day Luxor itinerary is a key to a timeless adventure. From the monumental halls of the Karnak Temple to the vivid tombs in the Valley of the Kings, from the quiet corridors of Ramesseum to the hidden chambers of Deir el-Medina – this 3-day Luxor itinerary has got all covered. This Luxor travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip through the heart of ancient Egypt.
Day 1: A spin around west bank’s archaeological treasures
Kickstart your first day in Luxor with a hearty breakfast. It will be a long day calling for long walks under the Egyptian sun and descending inside stifling royal tombs.
Valley of the Kings:
The day’s itinerary starts with the Valley of the Kings, one of the most outstanding historical sites of Egypt. It was the final resting place of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. The otherwise barren landscape of this arid valley has produced prolific artwork. Here, the rock-cut tombs are overflowing with lavish hieroglyphics portraying the Egyptian monarchs, the deities, and scenes from the Book of the Dead.
Don’t miss the exquisitely decorated tombs of Seti I, Ramesses V/VI, Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, and Tutankhamun.
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut:
Next, pay a visit to the memorial temple of Hatshepsut, the most powerful female Pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Her temple in Deir el-Bahari is one of the most spectacular masterpieces of ancient architecture.
Though the carvings have faded over time, go through the panels depicting Hatshepsut’s divine birth where she is portrayed as a male child, vivid description of her Punt expedition, her massive Ossiride statues adorning the facade, and the shrines dedicated to Hathor and Anubis.
Mortuary Temple of Mentuhotep II:
Just beside Hatshepsut’s imposing funerary temple lies the ruins of the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, the Middle Kingdom Pharaoh who had unified the Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
Medinat Habu Temple:
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the west bank, the Medinat Habu temple is one of the best-preserved temples of New Kingdom. However, most of the visitors are oblivious to it and instead flock to the more popular Karnak and Luxor Temples.
Medinat Habu was the mortuary temple of Ramesses III, the last great Pharaoh of the New Kingdom. It is set apart by deep hieroglyphics and vibrant reliefs. Interestingly, the temple walls and ceilings have mostly retained its original colors.
There is a plethora of startling carvings showcasing Ramesses III’s victory over the ‘Sea Peoples’, a minor King list, Ramesses III making offerings to Amun-Ra, Mut, Sekhmet, Anubis, and so on.
Now will be an opportune moment to fill your tummy and stretch your legs. Also, the midday sun is too strong to venture out. Head to the shaded garden restaurant of Marsam, and relax for the rest of the afternoon.
Colossi of Memnon:
Take a walk to the Colossi of Memnon, the two massive 18-metre statues of Amenhotep III. These mammoth sculptures once graced the entrance of Amenhotep’s mortuary temple. The temple waned as millennia passed barring the pharaoh’s statues. The remnants of the funerary temple are scattered in the area. Don’t forget to stroll amidst the ruins.
Finish your day with a scrumptious dinner at Cafe Maratonga near the Medinat Habu temple.
Day 2: Exploring the off-beat sites of Luxor’s west bank
On your second day, venture out to the lesser-known sites of the west bank.
Hot air balloon ride at sunrise:
Taking a hot air balloon ride during sunrise is definitely one of the best things to do in Luxor. An incomparable adventure, it is a chance of a lifetime to see the ruins of ancient Egypt from above. Also, the sunrise from the hot air balloon looks nothing short of magic.
Deir el-Medina:
Located off the beaten track in west bank, Deir el-Medina was the isolated village of the workers who used to grind away to build the royal sepulchers in the Valley of the Kings. The lion’s share of the tourists bypasses it for the more popular joints. But Deir el-Medina is dotted with some of the most fascinating and spectacular tombs, a few even eclipsing their masters’ royal tombs. Visit the immensely vibrant tombs of Sennedjem, Pashedu, and Inerkhau – all characterized by beautiful floral and geometric patterns as well as detailed paintings of the Egyptian deities and the Book of the Dead.
Ramesseum:
For explorers wanting to discover the lesser-known temples of Luxor, the Ramesseum is a treasure waiting to be discovered. One of the greatest temples of ancient Egypt, it was the funerary temple of Ramesses the Great. Marvel at the 48-column Hypostyle Hall, detailed carvings of the Battle of Kadesh and Syrian Wars, the fallen remains of Ramesses II’s colossal statue, and an interesting relief where the deities Sheshat and Thoth inscribe the name of Ramesses II on the mythical Ished tree.
Tomb of the Nobles:
Close to the Valley of the Queens lie the Tombs of the Nobles. Scattered across a large expanse, the necropolis is covered with countless tombs belonging to the New Kingdom nobility. Proper maps of this place are not available, and the tombs are often not well-marked. Hire a guide if running in circles in not on your agenda in Egypt.
Some of these tombs are bedecked with prolific artworks which showcase the royal court, the lavish lives of the nobility, military scenes, and also daily lives of the common people. Visit the exquisite tombs of Sennefer, Rekhmire, Ramose, Khonsu, Nakht, and Menna.
Luxor Museum:
Take a tour of the small yet well-organized Luxor Museum. The galleries here showcase several interesting artefacts such as the mummy of Eighteenth Dynasty king Ahmose, a statue of Amun, an alabaster sculpture of Amenhotep III with crocodile-headed god Sobek, and a splendid statue of Thutmose III. Don’t miss the ancient tools which the Egyptians used for construction.
Sunset felucca ride on the Nile:
After a long day of exploring the ancient ruins under the scorching sun, sailing on a traditional felucca on the Nile acts like a tonic. It is also a timeless experience that connects you to the very river that cradled the ancient Egyptian civilisation.
Wrap up your day with delicious pizza at Pizza Roma.It.
Day 3: Treasures of east bank
While Luxor’s west bank is where the living honor the dead, the east bank is teeming with resplendent temples.
Karnak Temple:
In the past, Karnak Temple was the most sacred site in Pharaonic Egypt, the construction of which spanned over 1,500 years. At present, Karnak is the second most visited spot in Egypt (right after the Great Pyramids of Giza). Naturally, the temple complex is crammed with visitors all day. The only respite can be found during sunrise when the temple looks magnificent and the crowd is almost nil.
Set apart a minimum of 4 hours for Karnak and explore the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, Great Hypostyle Hall, Obelisks of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, Amun’s sacred chamber, Chapelle Rouge of Hatshepsut, and Festival Hall of Thutmose III.
Mummification Museum:
Majority of the tourists skip this ‘blink-and-you-miss’ museum. Don’t make the same mistake. The compact Mummification Museum, situated near the Luxor Temple, offers a detailed insight into the process of mummification practiced in ancient Egypt.
Relish the Hamam Mahshi or stuffed pigeon at Gerda’s Garden for lunch.
Luxor Temple:
This was another major religious center in ancient Egypt. It used to host the annual Opet Festival when the idols of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu were carried on sacred barques from Karnak to Luxor. Try to schedule your visit during the sunset when the temple looks atmospheric. Check out the Avenue of Sphinxes, Ramesses II’s towering statues and obelisk, and the Great Colonnade of Amenhotep III.
Light and Sound Show at Karnak Temple:
Though the script and presentation of the show is dated, it gives a wonderful opportunity to explore the temple complex at night.
Conclude your Luxor sojourn by enjoying a hearty meal at Sofra.
Day trips from Luxor:
After you conclude your Luxor itinerary, you can take the following day trips from Luxor:
Dendera and Abydos:
The ornate Dendera Temple is just an hour ride from Luxor. Dedicated to the goddess of love Hathor, Dendera is notable for its ceiling which is painted in cyan and adorned with elaborate celestial scenes.
On the other hand, Abydos is home to the grand Temple of Seti I. It is renowned for the artworks which are regarded to be the finest in Egypt. The temple is also noted for depicting the list of Pharaohs since the Old Kingdom.
You can easily plan a day trip to both of these temples from Luxor.
Edfu and Esna:
The Temple of Horus in Edfu is one of the best-preserved temples of Egypt. A 3-hour ride from Luxor, the temple is believed to be the very site where the falcon-headed god Horus defeated his uncle Seth and thus avenged his father Osiris.
Esna houses the Temple of Khnum, the ram-headed creator god. One of the most beautiful temples of Egypt, only the Hypostyle Hall has so far been unearthed. The hall is vividly painted in bright colors and portrays cosmological scens.
You can visit both of these temples while travelling between Luxor and Aswan.
Important FAQs:
Where is Luxor located?
It is convenient to be well-acquainted with the location of Luxor before scheduling a visit to this historic city. Luxor is located on the east bank of Nile in southern Egypt. The approximate distance of Luxor from other Egyptian cities are:
- From Cairo – 665 km
- From Aswan – 241 km
- From Hurghada – 316 km
- From Alexandria – 882 km
How can I reach Luxor?
- By train: Overnight Abela trains run daily from Cairo to Luxor. However, the trains are not quite comfortable and ticket prices are steep. Also, the trains often run late.
- By air: Flight is the best option to travel from Cairo to Luxor. Opt for Egypt Air flights, the flights fares are affordable and they run on time. Avoid Nile Air, flights get delayed without prior information.
- By bus: Another convenient mode of transport is the air-conditioned buses. GoBus runs many buses daily on the Cairo – Luxor route.
- By cruise: If you’re arriving from Aswan, you can go for the classic Nile cruise.
What is the best time to visit Luxor?
November to March is the best season for travelling to Luxor. The weather remains pleasant, perfect for exploring the historical attractions. However, keep in mind that Luxor remains most crowded during this time while prices are exorbitant. The shoulder seasons of September – October and April – May are also fine.
Where can I stay in Luxor?
On the west bank, Marsam is the best place for staying in Luxor. It used to be a dig house of archaeologists till the 1920s. On the east bank, you can stay in Nefertiti Hotel, Iberotel, and Steigenberger Nile Palace.
Where can I eat in Luxor?
- West Bank: Marsam, Cafe Maratonga, Wannas Art & Cafe.
- East Bank: Sofra, Gerda’s Garden, Pizza Roma.It, Cilantro, Koshari Alzaem.
Can I get vegetarian food in Luxor?
The Egyptian cuisine offers a lot of plant-based and dairy-free food options such as Koshari, Taameya, Ful Medame, Mahshi, Baba Ganoush, Hummus, Tahini, various salads and breads. For more details on Egypt’s food, check our blog here.
What to pack for Luxor?
There is no strict dress code in Luxor. You can wear anything but stay away from OTT outfits that scream attention.
Exploring Luxor involves a lot of walking. So, pack comfortable shoes and sandals.
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and umbrellas.
If you’re visiting during winter, pack lights woolens as the evenings may turn chilly.
Travel agencies in Luxor:
Aladin Tours, Travel Choice Egypt, and Sky One Airsports.
