Best Highlights of Egypt from El Gouna

Breakfast boxes and next, you will escort your professional tour guide towards Abu Simbel by a private vehicle to witness:

Abu Simbel Temple:

Abu Simbel Temple in southern Egypt on the west bank of Lake Nasser remains an attractive example of the ancient Egyptian creative engineering and artistic ingenuity. This inspiring complex which was established by Pharaoh Ramses II around 13th century BC features colossal statues of Ramses II and intricate hieroglyphs. Moving it in 1960s was to keep it from flooding. This monumental structure is still remaining an astonishing example of Egypt’s rich history and unique civilization.

We will escort you back to Aswan for lunch and you then catch 1st class train to Luxor and check into 5* hotel. Overnight in Luxor

After breakfast and checking out your hotel, you will start your guided trip across the wonders of Luxor to visit:

Karnak Temple:

Karnak Temple in Luxor is one of the most famous and extensive religious complexes in the world, taking over 100 hectares. This temple was primarily dedicated to the God Amun-Ra, but it also houses sanctuaries dedicated to other Gods such as Mut and Khonsu. The temple’s construction started during the Middle Kingdom around 2000 BC till the Ptolemaic period, involving contributions from several pharaohs. Visitors can explore its monumental pylons, very wide courtyards, and hypostyle hall, which boasts 134 large columns ornamented with intricate carvings and hieroglyphs. The temple complex also includes the Sacred Lake, used for ritual purification, and the impressive Avenue of Sphinxes that once connected Karnak to Luxor Temple.

Valley of the Kings:

The Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor served as a royal burial ground for nearly 500 years during the New Kingdom period. This necropolis includes 63 tombs and chambers, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. The tombs are richly ornamented with precious wall paintings and inscriptions that provide deep insights into ancient Egyptian funerary practices and thoughts about the afterlife. The valley’s layout and the meticulous care taken to hide the tombs reflect the Egyptians’ care to protect the pharaohs’ final resting places from tomb raiders. Despite this, many tombs were plundered in antiquity, though the remaining treasures and antiquities continue to amaze archaeologists and visitors alike.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple:

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir El-Bahari is a magnificent example of the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. This temple was established in the 18th Dynasty, and it was modeled by her architect Senen Mut. Seamlessly, this temple blends into the cliffs of the Theban mountains. The structure features corridors, colonnades, and sanctuaries, primarily honoring the god Amun. Hatshepsut’s Temple was adorned with complicated reliefs depicting Hatshepsut’s divine birth and achievements, the temple is a symbol of her architectural and cultural legacy in ancient Egypt.

Colossi of Memnon:

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. These monumental figures, each standing about 18 meters tall, presenting Pharaoh Amenhotep III and once guarding his mortuary temple. Despite the temple’s destruction over time, the Colossi remain largely intact. Famous in antiquity for the “singing” phenomenon, where one statue emitted sounds at dawn, these statues continue to be an impressive tourist attraction and a symbol of ancient Egyptian grandeur.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a restaurant and we will then drive you back to El Gouna by a private minivan to conclude your 3 days tour to Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel from El Gouna.

This 3-day itinerary follows the complete stored program: El Gouna to Cairo – Cairo & Pyramids tour – Cairo to Aswan; Abu Simbel tour – Aswan to Luxor; Luxor Sightseeing – Luxor to El Gouna.