Luxor is located on the banks of the Nile, and is built on the site of Thebes, the former capital of Egypt which dates back 4000 years. In the centre of the town is the Luxor Temple, and to the north Karnak and the Temple of Amun. This morning we visit these impressive temples which are well preserved and contain numerous columns, obelisks and in the temple of Karnak, an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes. The imprint of the various Pharaohs, including Tuthmosis III, Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun and Ramses II is evident.
We cross over to the west bank of the Nile visiting the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis for the ancient city of Thebes. The rock-hewn tombs are found in an arid valley and from the exterior it is hard to imagine the riches which once lay within. Ironically the most recent discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922 by Howard Carter, the contents of which are now in the Cairo Museum, is the least decorated. The tombs of Ramses I, III, IV, IX, Seti II and Tuthmosis III and IV are all richly decorated with paintings of goddesses and the stories from the Book of Day and Night. We will have the opportunity to visit a few of these tombs depending which ones are open to the public. The tombs are reached through a series of ornately painted underground corridors and ante chambers until these open out to the burial chamber where the sarcophagus is found. Transfer to the airport for our internal flight to Cairo (note the flight can be between 14:00 - 23:00pm, subject to availability). You will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for overnight accommodation.
Meals: B