Travel Loving Luxor

 Travel Loving Luxor

As a promising future dawns, take a break to stroll through the nation’s past By Glen Johnson

 As Egypt enters a new phase of its history, there may be no better time to catch up with the past. Luxor, surely one of the world’s greatest travel destinations, is the perfect place to refresh your knowledge of Ancient Egypt.

Sitting along the Nile and featuring numerous temples, tombs, obelisks and statues, Luxor provides the perfect historical getaway, packing enough jaw-dropping sights to make the trip — either a quick weekend trip or longer full-week exploration — perfect for any itinerary.
The ancient ruins of Karnak and Luxor — built in worship of a variety of gods, including the vulture-headed goddess Mut — are must-sees. The largest ancient temple in the world, the religious complex known as Karnak was built over a period of 1,300 years from the sixteenth century BC and is truly awe-inspiring. Similarly, Luxor Temple features the ruins of a former church as well as a mosque associated with a Sufi sheikh.

 Luxor Museum, overlooking the west bank of the Nile, is an excellent building: uncluttered, well-ordered and with clearly labeled artifacts including the statue of Hathor, an Ancient Egyptian goddess of love, beauty, music, motherhood and joy. A separate wing houses two royal mummies, which you can view without buying a separate ticket — unlike the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. 

Just down the Corniche, the Mummification Museum houses the preserved remains of many animals and offers an easy-to-follow explanation of Ancient Egyptian funerary practices. 

The warren of Pharaonic tombs and temples on Luxor’s West Bank are always worth exploring for their monumental sculpture and brilliant wall paintings. One of the newer attractions on the West Bank is Howard Carter’s house, which has been turned into a museum showcasing the life of the archeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and unleashed the age of Egyptomania.
If you want a workout with your sightseeing, bicycles can be rented on the West Bank. 

Early risers can get a bird’s eye view of the West Bank with a hot air balloon ride, which starts around sunrise. Magic Horizons and SindBad Hot Air Balloons offer hot air balloon trips over Luxor’s historic sites, including the Valley of the Kings. Both companies provide transport and flights depart early morning, when light is most favorable. Flights last between 30 and 50 minutes, depending on the weather. Taking in the sites of Luxor from the aerial perspective comes highly recommended while presenting an excellent photo-op. For Magic Horizons call +2 095 227 4060 and for SindBad call +2 095 227 2960.

An evening stroll along the Corniche or a felucca ride is a great way to unwind at the end of a day.
Tourism is Luxor’s bread and butter, but the real workhorse of the city is, well, the workhorse. From the horses that draw the caleches along the Corniche to the donkeys used by local farmers and informal vendors, work animals are a key part of the local economy. Show your support with a visit and a donation to the Animal Care Centre, a non-profit organization working to improve the health of the city’s many donkeys and other animals, by tending to the animals’ sores and providing food, water and a much-needed wash. Find out more about how you can help at www.ace-egypt.org.uk. Et
 

Upper Egypt at a Glance

 
 When to go? Upper Egypt is warm throughout the year, but it is best enjoyed in the fall, spring and winter as summers are particularly hot. 
 Must see: Great Temple of Ramses II in Abu Simbel is carved out of a mountain and dedicated to Ramses II and gods Ra, Amun and Ptah.
 Must eat: Wika, a stewed okra dish made with extra-long okra pods with a side of shamsi (sun) bread, which the locals let rise in the sun and bake in ovens made of Nile clay. 
  Must buy: Luxor is famous for alabaster crafts such as pots and vases, while Aswan is noted for beads and spices