I overdosed on temples and tombs in Luxor over two swift afternoons. The temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu . . .
The dusty slides from my high school and university courses were brought to life in Luxor, and while quick, this side trip was enjoyable and I got what I wanted out of it. I hired a driver both days—a kind cab driver named Mostafa—but opted not to pay for a guide. I didn’t need one, as I remembered enough from my studies in high school and college. And to Mr. Glass, my AP art history teacher: thank you.
Photography isn’t allowed in the rock-cut tombs of the Valley of the Kings, so I’ve got nothing to share here from that visit. Karnak Temple wowed me in particular—the ruins of its great hypostyle hall are stunning. I loved Habu Temple as well, especially because the colors on the walls are relatively well-preserved, but unfortunately my camera died when I got there.
Touring Luxor’s temples and tombs in November is an ideal time, weather-wise. While it was sunny and warm, it was quite tolerable and mild. But I can imagine those tombs being unbearable and uncomfortable in the summer.
A glimpse of Luxor in photographs:
The grand hypostyle hall at Karnak Temple.
A statue at Karnak Temple, with one foot planted forward. Ancient Egyptians looked forward and actively prepared for life after death.
A cut-off torso on a wall at Karnak Temple.
One of the many Pharaonic statues at Karnak Temple. This one, faceless.
A gorgeous smaller figure next to a massive leg.
A man walking past an obelisk at Karnak Temple.
Looking up at the columns and shadows in the hypostyle hall of Karnak Temple.
Vestiges of color at Karnak Temple. Beautiful.
A worker at an alabaster factory near the Valley of the Kings, on the West Bank.
Inside one of the alabaster factories on the West Bank.
I generally don’t buy souvenirs while traveling, with the exception of original local artwork for my walls. In Luxor, I decided to pick a few items: a small green vase and a tiny Pharaonic figurine. I haggled a bit but was still definitely overcharged, but that’s fine.
A tour of one of the alabaster factories:
The exterior of Gaddis & Co, a shop of gifts on Luxor’s corniche near the Winter Palace Hotel.
A motorbike in the souk (bazaar) of Luxor.
Souk wall scribbles.
Art on the wall near the the train station in Luxor.
A man at Luxor Temple, which is situated in the city center.
Luxor Temple.
A man walking in the shaded hall of Ramesseum Temple.
More Photos:
Related Posts:
- Photos of Egypt, I: From the Streets to the Citadel in Cairo
- Photos of Egypt, II: The Desert, the Red Sea, and the Devil’s Head
- Photos of Egypt, IV: Cairo Street Art on Gezira
- Notes and Numbers from My Moleskine: Egypt, Details, and Sensory Overload
- Luxor and Las Vegas: Kitsch, Appropriation, and Ancient Egypt
beautiful photographs / travel diary!
.. we would love to go ourselves..
Wow, your photos are amazing. I can testify to Luxor [and Egypt in general] being unbearably hot in Summer – I was there in late May/early June this year and it was already in the mid forties [celsius]. I absolutely loved Luxor, and I think we both visited the same alabaster shop!
I loved your photographs on your blog, too, and especially liked the Dracula posts. I’ve added that region of the world to my list, so thank you. I loved Luxor as well — a refreshing side of Egypt (coming from Cairo). I was surprised how green and lush it was…
Sorry to hear of your overdose!
I guess too much culture CAN be a bad thing!
Stunning shots!!! I would love to visit Egypt one day. Definitely one of the places on earth that shouldn’t be missed.
Thanks, Bama. I definitely think Egypt should be on everyone’s list — an interesting, multi-layered, complex, beautiful, and sad place all at once.
Would like to register my usual admiration: these are beautiful photos. There’s a wonderful intimacy to your whole experience of Egypt (at least as you’re expressing it in blog form).
Plus anyone who takes time to press up close against anything vaguely ruinish will always have my admiration.
Thanks, Philip. (Or do you prefer Phil?) Interesting you use “wonderful intimacy” to describe these blog shots, as Egypt as a whole was hard to wrap my head around — and it’s generally full-on and often intense (Cairo, at least), so I’m surprised (and pleased) that I was able to capture some intimate, reflective moments here.