Treasures of Luxor
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port
Safaga, Egypt
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activityLevel
Moderate Activity
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excursionType
All
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$410
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 13½ Hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals included
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis A UNESCO World Heritage Site
"Thebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Thebes is a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height." Learn more:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/87/.Seabourn is the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage
An approximately four-hour motor coach ride along the desert road leads from Safaga to the city of Luxor in the Valley of the Kings.
Your guide will explain the world of Egypt's New Kingdom as (s)he escorts you through the necropolis on the west bank of the River Nile. Explore the interiors of some of the tombs and marvel at their elaborate wall paintings and sheer size.
On the way back to Luxor, you will stop briefly at the Colossi of Memnon. These 64-foot twin statues of Amenhotep III are all that remain of a once-great temple. At Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, set at the foot of a limestone mountain, you'll have time to photograph this exquisite, terraced mortuary temple dating from the 15th century BC.
After your visit to the city of the dead, you will head to the east bank of Luxor and visit the Karnak Temple. A boxed lunch will be served during the drive.
Upon arrival, stroll down the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes leading to the temple entrance and the Hypostyle Hall—a colonnade featuring 134 immense and richly decorated columns. The Karnak complex also boasts the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, the Temple of Amen-Re, and the Sacred Lake.
Next you'll explore the mysteries of the Great Temple of Luxor, begun by Amenhotep in the 16th-century BC and expanded by other Pharaohs, including Ramses II. The Temple of Luxor boasts its own Avenue of Human-Headed Sphinxes and was once linked to the Temple of Karnak.
At the end of your tour, enjoy an early dinner served at one of the hotels in Luxor before the drive back to Safaga.
Please note: A substantial boxed lunch box is included. Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and wear sunscreen.