Crazy, fun and very dirty, spend an afternoon racing in the desert.

The ultimate hot air balloon experience. Fly over the entire Theban necropolis

Sail in a Felucca Boat

Take a cruise to Banana Island, a lovely oasis of tropical vegetation, a delight for the eyes; this can be combined with the Nile Sunset cruise if required.

Nile Sunset Dinner Cruise:

Cruise the Nile in either a motor boat or felucca sailing boat (depending on the wind). You can see the entire riverside and as the sun sets get lots of great photos. Dinner is provided from a local restaurant, vegetarian’s options are available.

 

A favourite with kids of ALL ages and can be for any length of time, go round the local villages and see the area.

An alternative to the hot air balloon go on a donkey ride across the ridge following the route taken by the Ancient Workmen going from Deir el Medina overlook the temple of Hatshepsut and ending up in the Valley of Kings. The views are spectacular and unique.

Donkey and Camel Rides

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/donkeyride.htm

Take a camel out into the desert and visit the Christian village and purchase some local honey. Another long trip that will really make you ‘walk like an Egyptian’

Moulids and other events:

If there is a local festival or wedding going on in the area during your stay we will let you know so you can join in touregypt.net/featurestories/haggag.htm

Ankhtifi at Moalla, Tod temple and Esna

Ankhtifi at Moalla

Within 20 km of Luxor there is the 1st Intermediate Period cemetery at Moalla with the tomb of Ankhtifi (tickets have to be bought at Luxor temple). I call this a beta max tomb, poor old Ankhtifi chose the wrong side and it was the Theban princes who eventually won out and ruled. It is a very unusual tomb, with irregular columns and uses lots of turquoise colour.

Tod Temple

Another site within 20 km, whose tickets have to be bought at Luxor temple, is the temple of Montu at Tod. In the block yard there is evidence from the 5th dynasty right up until Coptic times and everything in between. This was the site where the Tod treasure was found.

Esna

Also with the 20km is the temple at Esna, a Ptolemaic temple. The temple is much lower than the surrounding town and indeed has not been fully excavated.

Aswan and Abu Simbel – Two Day Trip

Day 1 combine Road to Aswan with Aswan – One Day Trip. An evening optional extra, the Nubian Museum shows the culture, art and history of Nubia from prehistoric times until today.
Day 2 visit Abu Simbel, the temple of Ramses II which was rescued from the High Dam together with that dedicated to his wife Nefertari. Then return to Luxor

Esna, El Kab, Edfu, Gebel Silsila, Kom Ombo all on the Road to Aswan – One Day Trip

On the road Aswan you can stop at some of these sites depending on time available

• Esna – Temple of Khum Graeco Roman temple built in the reign of Claudius
• El Kab – Nobles tombs and temples of the ancient capital
• Edfu – Temple of Horus most completely preserved Pharaonic temple built by the Greeks
• Gebel Silsila – Speos of Horemheb, ancient quarries and chapels
• Kom Ombo – Temple of Sobek and Haroeris (Horus the Elder)

Aswan – One Day Trip

Unfinished Obelisk – see how the stone was cut from the rock and the skill of the ancient craftsman.
High Dam – one of Egypt modern accomplishments contains 18 times the amount of material in the great pyramid and has increased to cultivated land by 30%
Philae – this beautiful temple, dedicated to Isis, has been a tourist attraction since Roman times