Luxor, once Thebes, the capital of Ancient Egypt, is known as the "greatest open air museum in the world." Luxor has three different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor. Egypt's top tourist destination is home to sites such as the Temple of Karnak - a city of temples built over 3000 years ago, and the Luxor temple complex. Across the Nile lies the Valley of Kings, with more than 60 royal tombs, and the Valley of Queens, with the tomb of Nefertari.

See:

• Luxor Temple – situated in the centre of town, was built by the New Kingdom Pharaoh Amenophis III. It is spectacular and so compact it can be visited in an hour
• Luxor Museum - houses many of the relics found at the Theben temples and necropolis on the west bank
• Temples of Karnak - built over a time period of 1500 years and was the most important place of worship in ancient Egypt. The site is huge, measuring 1500 x 800 meters, and is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods
• The Colossi of Memnon – two gigantic statues (17m high) which everyone passes on the road to the monument area. These two ruined statues once stood at the entrance gate of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, though very little of the temple behind them remains today.

Experience:

• Mummification Museum - has everything you've ever wanted to know about mummies and the process of mummification
• The Valley of the Kings - This desert valley contains the ancient burial ground of many Egyptian pharaohs. Among over 60 royal tombs is the famous Tomb of Tutankhamen that was found in pristine condition
• The Valley of the Queens - this is where the queens and their children were interred. The tomb of Queen Nefertari is here and is considered one of the most magnificent tombs in Egypt, this tomb of the favorite wife of Ramses II is exquisitely decorated with scenes depicting the ritual journey of the soul to the underworld.