Al Moudira Hotel

Activities

You could spend a week in Luxor and not see everything, so do some research, then prioritise according to the time you have. The hotel can arranged guided tours. The highlights are:

• The Valley of the Kings, 6km north, absolutely unmissable. To avoid large crowds either come early (it opens at 6am and will be teeming with tourists by 8am), or brave the midday heat
  
  
• The valley itself is pretty mind-blowing and it is possible to walk out (though not strictly legal). Head over to the Tomb of Seti I and one of the guardians will offer to lead you out (tip him when he has). It’s an easy climb and at the top you’ll have views of the Nile on one side and the Valley of the Kings on the other
  
  
• Early morning hot-air balloon flights over the west bank are popular. The view of river, mountain, valley and desert is phenomenal. You’ll need to book a day or two in advance
  
  
• Hatshepsut is one of the most beautiful buildings you will see in Luxor, a real priority. The Ramesseum and The Colossi of Memnon are worth visiting for the scale of the stonework, and make a trip to Luxor Temple at night, when it is beautifully floodlit
  
  
• The Temples of Karnak, to the north of the city on the east bank. This is one of the most important sights in Luxor and the largest religious building on the planet. The Great Hypostyle Hall, where 134 vast columns soar implausibly into the sky, is one of the most staggering things you will see in Egypt. Building here started about 3,200 years ago
  
  
• Take a felucca ride on the Nile, especially popular at sunset, and well worth doing if you aren’t otherwise going to be sailing on the eternal river
  
  
• The desert is close: you can ride through it on a camel or a horse. 4WD discovery trips are also available and will take you deeper into it