2 Days Trip To the Grand Egyptian Museum and Luxor from Marsa Alam

The second day of your adventure begins early with a flight from Cairo to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, which was once the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom. Luxor is often referred to as the “world’s greatest open-air museum” due to its remarkable collection of ancient temples, tombs, and monuments. Upon arrival, your private guide will meet you and begin the tour of Luxor’s most important historical sites.

Your first stop is the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious sites in the world. This vast temple complex is dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, the king of the Egyptian gods, and was built and expanded over a period of 2,000 years. As you walk through the massive Hypostyle Hall, with its towering columns, you will feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The hall contains 134 massive columns, some of which reach a height of 21 meters. The temple is also home to the Sacred Lake, the Obelisk of Hatshepsut, and many other striking monuments that provide a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Egyptian religious practices. 

Next, you’ll visit the Luxor Temple, an impressive structure dedicated to the god Amun-Ra and located on the banks of the Nile River. This temple is famous for its Avenue of Sphinxes, which once connected it to the Karnak Temple, and its stunning obelisk that still stands in front of the entrance. Inside, you’ll see beautifully preserved reliefs and statues of pharaohs, gods, and royal figures. The temple was also used for the Opet Festival, an important religious celebration, and your guide will explain the significance of the temple in ancient Egyptian society.

After a busy morning, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant, where you can relax and sample more Egyptian specialties. The view of the Nile River from many of the restaurants in Luxor is breathtaking, offering the perfect setting for a midday break.

After lunch, you’ll cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank, which is home to the tombs of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs. First, you will visit the Valley of the Kings, the burial site of many New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, whose tomb was famously discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. Explore the beautifully decorated tombs, each with vivid murals depicting the pharaohs’ journey to the afterlife, and learn about the fascinating burial practices of ancient Egypt.

Your next stop is the Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning mortuary temple dedicated to one of Egypt’s most powerful and successful female pharaohs. The temple’s architecture is remarkable for its terraces and colonnades, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding cliffs of the Theban Mountains.

Finally, you’ll visit the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have stood on the West Bank of the Nile for over 3,000 years. These giant statues, once part of a larger temple complex, are famous for their eerie sound, which ancient Egyptians believed to be the voices of the statues, and have captured the imaginations of travelers for centuries.

After an unforgettable day of exploration, you will be transferred  Marsa Alam. As your tour concludes, you’ll carry with you the rich memories of ancient Egypt’s most iconic monuments, having experienced the treasures of both Cairo and Luxor. This 2-day journey will leave you with a deep appreciation for Egypt’s awe-inspiring history, its magnificent pharaohs, and its timeless culture.