LUXOR

Nowhere else in the world has such wealth of antiquities of mankind been preserved as it has been in Luxor. Located on the banks of the Nile in Upper Egypt, 670 km south of Cairo, and still attracts thousands of visitors, from east and west alike who come to admire its vestiges. Each step they take covers a historic area, each stone recalls legend. It was the ancient city of Thebes - the capital of Ancient Egypt. Named by the Greek poet Homer “Thebes the Thousand Gates”, sometimes being called the southern city, to distinguish it from Memphis, the early capital of the Old Kingdom.

Thebes also played a great role in expelling the invading forces of the Hykos from Upper Egypt. From the time of the 18^th Dynasty, through to the 20^th Dynasty, the importance of the city had risen as the major political, religious and military capital of Ancient Egypt. Such importance faded during the late period, but the God Amon Ra remained the main God until the Greco-Roman period.

Luxor was the center of power for almost 1500 years. The early Arab travelers, who admired Luxor for the numerous monuments and ruins scattered around the city, gave it its name. In Arabic Luxor means "the palaces". Built on the site of Ancient Thebes over 4,000 years ago Luxor has been called the world’s greatest outdoor museum. Awe struck visitors can bask in the shadow of some of this country’s most impressive temples and tombs thanks to its fantastic state of preservation.

Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes, the great capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and the glorious city of the God Amon Ra. The city was regarded in the Ancient Egyptian texts as T-APT (meaning “the shrine”) and then, in a later period, the Greeks called it tea pie, which the Arabs later pronounced as Thebes. The importance of the city started as early as the 11^th Dynasty by King Mento-hotep.

Within the confines of Luxor are some of the grandest monuments of ancient world. On the East Bank of the Nile River are the splendid temples of Luxor and Karnak beside the Luxor Museum, which houses an impressive collection of local antiquities, an overwhelming array complex gateways, ruined temples, ancient chapels, gigantic columns and extraordinary tribute to the ancient Egyptians. On the West Bank, is the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, another profusion of historic and artistic wealth, the temple of Hatchepsut at Al Deir El Bahari, the only Pharaonic woman who reigned ancient Egypt, tombs of Nobles, the temple of Medinet Habu and the famed Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile.

Cruising along the Nile, leads to meet with Kings, Queens and Gods of a civilization that goes back 6,000 years from the same magnificent highway the Pharaohs themselves traveled as they made history happen. What else could be a better way to experience such ancient history? An exciting array of floating hotels are there to accommodate groups of all sizes, offering updated amenities, such as air conditioning, swimming pools, shops and comfortable surroundings along the ancient appeal of the scenery itself. Whether for a few hours by “felucca” or ferry, or 7, 5 and 4 days on a floating hotel, a trip through time along the world’s most famous waterways is an experience to be savored and cherished.  

Luxor offers ancient monuments, brilliant hospitality and a vibrant bustling street life, as one might think; the city has all the amenities tourists might expect, including a variety of hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Today’s city is among the most famous and popular tourist destinations in Egypt, one of those places you must see. The weather in Luxor is fairly hot all year round. Temperature can reach up to 40-50 C during the summer time.

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