Nile River Highlights on the West Bank of Luxor
Valley of the Kings - Queen Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon
Nov 9, 2008
The legend goes that those who touch the Nile River will always come back. Classic Nile cruises start at Luxor, sail to Aswan and back, and usually take about seven nights. Those with stronger stomachs may opt for the eleven night cruise to Denderah, or add another cruise at Lake Nasser. However, seven nights on the Nile give the traveller plenty of opportunity to visit ancient historical sites, enjoy a felluca ride, participate in an Egyptian costume party on the boat and watch some belly-dancing! A classic Nile cruise will allow visitors to explore the East Bank of the Nile, as well as the West Bank highlights here.
Valley of the Kings, the Queens & Workers
The West Bank of Luxor is usually the first or last stop on a Nile River cruise. As ancient Egyptians believed that as the sun sets in the West it is a symbol of life’s end, therefore tombs and mausoleums are built in the West, whereas life-giving temples are in the East. These West Bank valleys stretch over a great distance, full of royal tombs aptly known as Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the lesser known Valley of Workers. The Ramses VI and Tutankhamen tombs are popular and require an entrance fee. Interesting tombs to visit are the Ramses IV and Ramses IX. The Valley of Workers is even more unusual, as narrow steps lead into brightly painted tombs protected with glass.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Another highlight of the Valley of the Kings, are the hot-air balloon rides that rise over the landscape, not to be missed as they only cost a meagre LE700. Preconceptions that a hot-air balloon ride is scary get thrown out the window when guests realise how quietly and gracefully it lifts off. Tourists are gathered early in the morning at 5.30am near the cornfields, where hot air balloons are blown up by tons of gas. These hot air balloon baskets are so large they can take about 16 people! The captain of the balloon explains the brace position for landing and then a group of Egyptians help the balloon to lift off.
Queen Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon
The next stop after the Valley is usually Queen Hatshepsut Temple. As the only woman recognised as Pharaoh by the Egyptians (Cleopatra was not so lucky), Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple looks commanding from the East Bank and has three floors. The next floor from the ground up has small shrines on each side, dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of motherhood, symbolised by a cow. The steps are not as many as they look and easily climbed but once upstairs there is not much shelter so sunscreen is essential. The Colossi of Memnon, the two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, is more of a photo stop than a visit.
City Trip by Horse & Carriage (Hantoor)
To take Luxor all in, a horse and carriage ride, or what is known as a ‘hantoor’ in Egypt, is really good value for money. It is an hour’s trip often sold as part of a Nile excursion package costing LE200 and includes other activities in Aswan. Prices should be negotiated beforehand and it is customary to tip the driver at the end. In Luxor, tourists on hantoors should be prepared for children running up to their carriage and asking for food or baksheesh (tips) so it is useful to have lots of LE1 to hand. The horse and carriage will take passengers down the roads of Luxor, through the busy local marketplace and by the cornfields. Passengers can sit next to the driver as well and lead the horse! Afterwards the driver will offer to take photos of the passengers in their horse and carriage, which is a good time to tip the driver, and maybe even the horse!
Finally, for those drowsy afternoons on the Nile River cruise, visitors venturing into Luxor on their own may find some very good bargains in shops.
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