Luxor

Crossing the Nile to the West Bank is like stepping into the afterlife of the pharaohs and their consorts. This arid landscape is home to the legendary Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs like Tutankhamun were laid to rest in richly decorated tombs, their walls adorned with intricate hieroglyphics and vibrant paintings. Nearby lies the Valley of the Queens, the burial site for queens and royal children, including the exquisite tomb of Queen Nefertari. The dramatic terraced temple of Hatshepsut, a unique architectural marvel carved into the cliffs, stands as a testament to one of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaohs. The colossal Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, silently guard the entrance to what was once his mortuary temple, serving as a striking introduction to the wonders of the West Bank.