Did you know that the temples in Luxor date back to the 11th century BC?
Termed as ”Hub of History”, every monument in Luxor narrates a deep story. Luxor is located in Upper Egypt and it was originally called ”Thebe” in ancient Egypt. Luxor was Egypt’s religious capital until the later Greek period
The Temple of Hatshepsut
In this blog, you can know about Places to visit in Luxor and everything about the Temple of Hatshepsut. Also, read our blog on Everything you need to know about Luxor.
Blog Contents
Things to do in Luxor
Here is the list of places to see in Luxor.
East Bank
1. Lotus Temple
2. Karnak Temple (Luxor Temple)
3. Local Markets
West Bank
1. Valley of the Kings
2. Temple of Hatshepsut
3. Asbestos factory and shops
Temple of Hatshepsut
The Temple of Hatshepsut lies on the West Bank, approximately 35 mins drive from the West Bank ferry point and just 3 mins drive from the Valley of the Kings. Djeser-Djeseru is another name of the temple of Hatshepsut which means ”Scared of Sacred”. It is a mortuary temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut and Amun.
Statue of the Queen
Temple of Hatshepsut is one of the architectural masterpieces of ancient Egypt besides the Pyramids of Giza. Hatshepsut means ”Foremost of the Noble Ladies”. Queen Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the most successful pharaohs ruled over 20 years.
On the way
Limestone cliffs of different shapes and sizes surround the complete place. It was our first time in the desert and this beautiful and surreal place amazed us.
View on the way
Car parking to the ticket counter
Once you enter the campus, there is a huge car parking area and you have to walk through the souvenirs market to reach the ticket counters. It is easy to navigate.
Tip: Car parking is free.
Tickets & timings
The official currency of Egypt is Egyptian pounds(EGP) and 1€~18 EGP 1$~16 EGP.
The ticket counter is located inside the campus and costs 30 EGP for adults and 15 EGP for students. (Do carry your international student ID card).
It is open to the public from 6.00 am to 5.00 pm 7 days a week. Timings may vary during winter.
Shuttle service from the ticket centre to the temple entrance
This is a shuttle service to reach the temple. It is a small train that can carry up to 25-30 people at a time. It costs 5EGP per person(round trip) and the shuttle tickets are available right next to the temple ticket counters. The entrance is not too far and takes less than a minute to reach the entrance. You can walk as well.
The suttle service
The Temple
The shuttle dropped us at the entrance and we stood astonished looking at the huge limestone structure. The cliffs behind are 300m above the desert level and make an amazing backdrop for this ancient structure. It welcomes you with grand steps that lead to the temple entrance. It was indeed a royal feeling.
The grand stairs
The statues of the pharaohs of the Egyptian Dynasty welcome you at the entrance. The statue of Queen Hatshepsut is the first one on the right side. The inside of the temple looks stunning and every corner, wall & column depicts a story.
The Temple of Hatshepsut
As you explore, you will walk through the Central court, Sacrifice hall, Birth of Colonnade that records the birth of the queen and not the miss the Shrine of Hathor and Anubis. Just walk around the temple premises and feel the 15th Century BC vibe all over the place.
Best time to visit
Luxor is a hot place. It is 30° at 7.00 am and gets hotter as the day progresses. The best time to visit is in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Ruins inside the templeOverall experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
FAQs
How to reach the Temple of Hatshepsut?
It is accessible to the public by tuk-tuks, taxis, and buses.
Is the temple crowded?No, the crowd gets distributed.
How big is the Temple of Hatshepsut?
It is spread over acres of land.
How long do we need?
1 hour is more than sufficient.
When is the best time to visit?
At 7.00 am.
Are there student offers?Yes, a 50% reduction in prices.
Cash or card?
Better to have enough cash.
Where to buy souvenirs?
It is better to buy them at the local market on East Bank because the prices are too high near the tourist attractions.
Time of visit: May 2019
”A hangover suggests a great night, jet lag suggests a great adventure”- J.D. Andrew
