Karnak Temple

Big, bold, and hugely ambitious, Luxor's mammoth Temple of Karnak complex is one of Ancient Egypt's grandest building projects. Every pharaoh worth their salt added and amended the buildings here during their reign, stamping their seal on the kingdom's most revered religious sanctuary. For Karnak was the house of the gods, and its glories were to be feted by all.

Although sacked by the Assyrian and Persian armies and looted and pilfered by early explorers and travellers who carted off statues and masonry, there are few other temple complexes in the world that are still so commanding and majestic today. The Pharaonic kingdoms may be long gone, but their power lives on in this triumphant testament of stone.

If you're short of time, the Great Temple of Amun is the main building and should be your key destination, but plenty of scattered temple remnants (in various ruinous states) surround it.

Avenue of Sphinxes

You enter the complex through a grand procession way, flanked on both sides by ram-headed sphinxes. These once ran all the way to Karnak from Luxor Temple (in downtown modern Luxor). During the Ancient Egyptian annual Festival of Opet, the statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu were paraded out of Karnak, down this avenue to Luxor Temple.

Great Temple of Amun

The Great Temple of Amun is Karnak's main temple building, and like nearly all of Egypt's surviving monuments, the temple has seen additions and improvements by the hands of many pharaohs over the centuries. But the shape of the temple you see before you now is mostly due to Pharaoh Tuthmosis I, who made Thebes capital of the New Kingdom and expanded the original modest temple here as it no longer seemed adequate to the power of the god and the king. Most of your time in Karnak will be spent inside this awe-inspiring building, but don't make the mistake of thinking this is all the Karnak complex has to offer.

North from the Main Temple of Amun

Known as the Karnak Open-Air Museum, this collection of shrines lies directly north of the Temple of Amun's Great Court.

Kiosk of Sesostris

The Kiosk of Sesostris I, just to the north of the Great Temple of Amun, is one of the oldest structures in the whole temple complex. Built of fine limestone, it was erected to commemorate the King's Jubilee. It stands on a substructure and is approached by ramps on the east and west sides. The roof is borne on 24 pillars, which, like the outer walls, are covered with reliefs of excellent quality. In the interior is a base for the sacred barque of Amun.

Temple of Ptah

The Temple of Ptah, tutelary god of Memphis, was built by Tuthmosis III and enlarged and restored by the Ethiopian ruler Shabaka and some of the Ptolemies. The temple is approached from the west through five successive gateways. Beyond this is a passage formed by four columns with rich foliage capitals, linked by screens. At the end of the passage is a small Pylon with the names of Tuthmosis III (restored in the Ptolemaic period) on the doorway.

The entrance passage leads into a Court, on the rear side of which is a portico with two 16-sided columns. In the portico are two altar bases of red granite with dedications by Amenemhet I and Tuthmosis III. In the walls are six niches, and a staircase leads to an upper story.

In the center of the court, a door leads into the Sanctuary. Here, on the doorway, you can see restored reliefs dating from the reign of Tuthmosis III, while the Sanctuary preserves original reliefs of that period. In the Sanctuary is the cult image of Ptah (now headless), which is lit, with magical effect, by an aperture in the roof. To the right is a room containing a statue of the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, and to the left, another room with reliefs of Tuthmosis III.

Northern Temple Precinct

From the small Temple of Ptah, a gateway in the north enclosure wall gives access to the Northern Temple Precinct surrounded by a brick wall. The north gateway of the temple precinct was built by Ptolemy King Euergetes. In the enclosure wall to the south of the temple is a gateway with the name of Nectanebo II and the remains of a list of the people he subdued.

Temple of Montu

Within the Northern Temple Precinct is the Temple of Montu, the war god an old local god of Thebes. It was built by Amenophis III (18th Dynasty), but was several times altered and enlarged down to the period of the Ptolemies. The temple is so badly ruined that it is difficult to even make out the ground plan, but the older fragments of sculpture and architectural elements display a high standard of artistic skill. Outside the north entrance stood two obelisks of red granite, of which the bases and some fragments still remain.

East from the Main Temple of Amun

Temple of Ramses II

Just after the eastern exit of the Great Temple of Amun, beyond an unexcavated mound of rubble, is the badly ruined Temple of Ramses II, built on the same axis as the principal temple, which cuts across an older brick enclosure wall. The entrance doorway, on the east side, leads into a hall with two Osiris pillars, behind which is a narrow Hypostyle Hall. In front of the doorway, there was originally a hall dating from the reign of Taharqa, with 20 columns linked by screens.

North of these structures is the remains of another Temple of Ramses II, perhaps dedicated to the cult of King Mentuhotep III (11th Dynasty), which was restored in the time of Ptolemies. South of these remains, to the east of the Sacred Lake, are the remains of a brick building dating from before the Middle Kingdom.

Temple of Osiris

Built against the eastern enclosure wall is a small Temple of Osiris erected by Osorkon III (22nd Dynasty); his son and co-ruler Takelothis III; and his daughter, Shepenwepet. The front chamber was added by Amenirdis, sister of Shabaka (25th Dynasty) and mother-in-law of Psammetichus I. In the vicinity are a number of small chapels of the 26th Dynasty.

East Gate

Beyond the Temple of Ramses II, to the east, is the well-preserved East Gate (now closed) in the brick enclosure wall, which surrounded the whole temple precinct. Built by Nectanebo I, it stands 19 meters high.

South from the Main Temple of Amun

Sacred Lake

To the south of Ramses II's enclosure wall around the Temple of Amun lies the Sacred Lake. In Arabic, it is known as Birket el-Mallaha ("Lake of the Salt Pan") as the water of the lake is slightly saline. The walls encircling the lake are well preserved on the west, south, and north sides, from which steps lead down to the water. On the north side is a structure built by Tuthmosis III.

Excursies Egypte 5 daagse Nijlcruise tussen Luxor en Aswan

5 daagse Nijlcruise tussen Luxor en Aswan

Geniet van 4 nachten / 5 dagen Nijlcruise tussen Luxor en Aswan in Royal Princess Nile Cruise, bezoek de vallei der koningen, de Karnak-tempels, de Luxor-tempel en de Karnak-tempel. Ontdek de rivier de Nijl en zeil op de Nijl met Felucca

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Excursies Egypte 5 Days Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan on Blue Shadow

5 Days Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan on Blue Shadow

Enjoy 4 Nights/5 Days Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan on  Blue Shadow Nile cruise,, Visit the valley of Kings, The Karnak temples,Luxor temple and Karnak temple. Discover the Nile River and Sail on the Nile with Felucca 

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Excursies Egypte 5 DAYS NILE RIVER CRUISE FROM LUXOR GRAND PRINCESS

5 DAYS NILE RIVER CRUISE FROM LUXOR GRAND PRINCESS

Enjoy 4 Nights/5 Days Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan in Grand Princess Nile Cruise, Visit the valley of Kings, The Karnak temples,Luxor temple and Karnak temple. Discover the Nile River and Sail on the Nile with Felucca 

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Excursies Egypte 5 DAYS NILE RIVER CRUISE FROM LUXOR ON MISS EGYPT

5 DAYS NILE RIVER CRUISE FROM LUXOR ON MISS EGYPT

Enjoy 4 Nights/5 Days Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan in Misss Egypt Nile Cruise, Visit the valley of Kings, The Karnak temples,Luxor temple and Karnak temple. Discover the Nile River and Sail on the Nile with Felucca 

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Excursies Egypte 5 Days Nile river Cruise From Luxor on MS Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise

5 Days Nile river Cruise From Luxor on MS Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise

Enjoy 4 Nights/5 Days Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan on MS Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise Ship, Visit the valley of Kings, The Karnak temples, Luxor temple and Karnak temple. Discover the Nile River and Sail on the Nile with Felucca 

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Excursies Egypte 6 DAYS EGYPT TOUR PACKAGES CAIRO ABU SIMBLE AND LUXOR

6 DAYS EGYPT TOUR PACKAGES CAIRO ABU SIMBLE AND LUXOR

Are you looking 6 Days Egypt tour Packages Cairo Aswan abu simble and Luxor? with our 6 days Cairo tour Package,You will visit the Citadel and Old Cairo,The Hanging Church and the old bazaar Khan el Khalili,Aswan and Abu simble and Luxor,Karnak temple and the valley of the kings.Book now with us online

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Excursies Egypte 7 Nachten Nijlcruise Egypte luxor en Aswan

7 Nachten Nijlcruise Egypte luxor en Aswan

Geniet van 8 dagen - 7 nachten Nijlcruise in Egypte tussen Luxor en Aswan Op de super delux boot Royal Princess,7 nachten Nijlcruise is de beste optie om tussen Aswan en Luxor te reizen en om de oude wonderen van Egypte te ontdekken. Het is echt een onvergetelijke ervaring. Ontdek Egypte op onze delux Nijlcruise met het bezoek van Abu simbel

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Excursies Egypte 7 Nachten Nijlcruise Egypte vanuit luxor Met Nederlandstalige gids

7 Nachten Nijlcruise Egypte vanuit luxor Met Nederlandstalige gids

Geniet van 8 dagen 7 nachten Nijlcruise in Egypte tussen Luxor en Aswan Op Miss Egypte Nijlcruise.7 nachten Nijlcruise is de beste optie om tussen Aswan en Luxor te reizen en om de oude wonderen van Egypte te ontdekken.Het is echt een onvergetelijke ervaring. Ontdek Egypte op onze delux Nijlcruise met het bezoek van Abu simbel

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Excursies Egypte 7 Nachten Nijlcruise Egypte vanuit luxor Met Nederlandstalige gids

7 Nachten Nijlcruise Egypte vanuit luxor Met Nederlandstalige gids

Geniet van 8 dagen 7 nachten Nijlcruise in Egypte tussen Luxor en Aswan Op Miss Egypte Nijlcruise.7 nachten Nijlcruise is de beste optie om tussen Aswan en Luxor te reizen en om de oude wonderen van Egypte te ontdekken.Het is echt een onvergetelijke ervaring. Ontdek Egypte op onze delux Nijlcruise met het bezoek van Abu simbel

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Excursies Egypte 8 daagse Nijlcruise Egypte luxor en Aswan

8 daagse Nijlcruise Egypte luxor en Aswan

Geniet van 8 dagen - 7 nachten Nijlcruise in Egypte tussen Luxor en Aswan,7 nachten Nijlcruise is de beste optie om tussen Aswan en Luxor te reizen en om de oude wonderen van Egypte te ontdekken. Het is echt een onvergetelijke ervaring. Ontdek Egypte op onze delux Nijlcruise met het bezoek van Abu simbel

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Excursies Egypte 8 daagse Nijlcruise Egypte luxor en Aswan

8 daagse Nijlcruise Egypte luxor en Aswan

Geniet van 8 dagen - 7 nachten Nijlcruise in Egypte tussen Luxor en Aswan Op de super delux boot Royal Princess,7 nachten Nijlcruise is de beste optie om tussen Aswan en Luxor te reizen en om de oude wonderen van Egypte te ontdekken. Het is echt een onvergetelijke ervaring. Ontdek Egypte op onze delux Nijlcruise met het bezoek van Abu simbel

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Excursies Egypte 8 NIGHTS NILE CRUISE PACKAGE FROM THE NETHERLANDS

8 NIGHTS NILE CRUISE PACKAGE FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Have an amazing experience along the Nile valley for 9 days 8 nights Nile cruise from the Netherlands .discover the ancient Egyptian history between Luxor and Aswan, Visit the majestic Abu Simbel temple, Book us Now!

Excursies Egypte Ballonvaart excursie met zonsopgang vanuit Luxor

Ballonvaart excursie met zonsopgang vanuit Luxor

Geniet van een leuke ervaring  met de ballonvaart excursie met de zonsopgang vanuit Luxor ,een prachtige excursie over de historische stad Luxor. 

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Excursies Egypte Dag excursie naar Cairo vanuit Luxor met het vliegtuig

Dag excursie naar Cairo vanuit Luxor met het vliegtuig

Caïro dag excursie vanuit Luxor met het vliegtuig. Bezoek de Gizeh-piramides,het Egyptisch Museum en Islamitisch Caïro allemaal op één dag met winkelen in de beroemde bazaar van Caïro, Khan al Khalili met een privégids.

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Excursies Egypte Dendera dag excursie vanuit luxor met een Prive auto

Dendera dag excursie vanuit luxor met een Prive auto

Geniet van een Prive dag excursie naar de tempel van Dendera vanuit luxor,Dendera tempel ligt 60 K.m vanuit luxor .Het duurt1 uur rijden.Dendera tempelwas gewijd aan Hathor die gezien werd door de oude Egyptenaren als godin van liefde,vruchtbaarheid,Muziek,schoonheid.

Excursies Egypte Dendera en Abydos Prive excursie vanuit Luxor

Dendera en Abydos Prive excursie vanuit Luxor

Geniet van Prive dag excursie naar Dendera en Abydos temples vanuit Luxor Met Prive gids,Bezoek de tempel van Hathor,Godin van liefde en Muziek voor de oude Egyptenaren en de tempel van Abydos,de tempel van Osiris.

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Excursies Egypte Dendera half dag excusie vanuit Luxor

Dendera half dag excusie vanuit Luxor

Geniet van een halve dag excursie naar de tempel van Dendera vanuit Luxor, pick-up tijd van het Luxor hotel om 07:00 uur, rijd 1 uur om de tempel van de Goddes Hathor te bezoeken, de Goddes van liefde, muziek Kom om 08:00 aan in Dendera, je zult begeleid worden door de Egyptoloog-gids, zal hij de geschiedenis van de tempel uitleggen

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Excursies Egypte Half dag excursie naar de westoever van Luxor

Half dag excursie naar de westoever van Luxor

Excursiesegypte gids haalt je op bij je hotel in Luxor om te genieten van een halve dagtour om de westelijke oever van Luxor te bezoeken, inclusief de Vallei der Koningen, de koningin Hatshepsut-tempel, de Vallei der Koninginnen, de Kolossen van Memnon met privégids

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Excursies Egypte Half dag excursie naar de westoever van Luxor

Half dag excursie naar de westoever van Luxor

Excursiesegypte gids haalt je op bij je hotel in Luxor om te genieten van een halve dagtour om de westelijke oever van Luxor te bezoeken, inclusief de Vallei der Koningen, de koningin Hatshepsut-tempel, de Vallei der Koninginnen, de Kolossen van Memnon met privégids

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Excursies Egypte Luchtballonvaart in Luxor

Luchtballonvaart in Luxor

Luxor heteluchtballon is een geweldige manier om 's werelds grootste openluchtmuseum te zien. Vroeg ophalen van je hotel brengt je 's ochtends naar de ballon boven Luxor, een licht ontbijt en thee zijn inbegrepen.

Excursies Egypte Luxor prive dag excursie met Nederlandstalige gids

Luxor prive dag excursie met Nederlandstalige gids

Dag excursie naar luxor naar de vallei der koningen,Kongin Hatsjepst temple ,de kolossale beelden van Memnon en Karnak temple met een Prive busje en Prive Nederlandstalige gids.

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Aswan Hotels

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Aswan Hotels

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Cairo

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Cairo

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to El Quseir

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to El Quseir

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Hurghada

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Hurghada

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels

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Excursies Egypte Private airport transfer from Luxor airport To Marsa Alam Hotels

Private airport transfer from Luxor airport To Marsa Alam Hotels

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Port Ghalib

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Port Ghalib

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Safaga Hotels

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Safaga Hotels

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Aswan Airport

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Aswan Airport

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Excursies Egypte Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor Airport

Private Airport Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor Airport

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Excursies Egypte Private transfer from Luxor Hotel to Hurghada airport

Private transfer from Luxor Hotel to Hurghada airport

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Excursies Egypte Private Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Hurghada Hotel

Private Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Hurghada Hotel

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Excursies Egypte Private Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Sahel Hashesh Hotel

Private Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Sahel Hashesh Hotel

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Excursies Egypte Private transfer from Luxor to Marsa Alam airport

Private transfer from Luxor to Marsa Alam airport

Enjoy private transfer from Luxor to Marsa alam Airport - hotels by our air-conditioned vehicles. Book online Marsa alam transfer with us.

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Excursies Egypte Prive excursie naar de vallei der koningen en de westoever van Luxor

Prive excursie naar de vallei der koningen en de westoever van Luxor

Geniet van een halve dag excursie om de westelijke oever van Luxor ,bezoek je de Vallei der Koningen, Koningin Hatshepsut tempel, Vallei der Koninginnen, De kolossale beeldenvan Memnon met privé-gids

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Excursies Egypte Prive excursie naar karnak tempel en luxor tempel vanuit luxor

Prive excursie naar karnak tempel en luxor tempel vanuit luxor

Geniet van een privé excursie naar Karnak-tempel en de Luxor-tempel met  prive Nederlandstalige gids .Luxor bevat het grootste oude complex ter wereld

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Excursies Egypte Prive twee daagse excursie naar Aswan en Abu simble vanuit luxor

Prive twee daagse excursie naar Aswan en Abu simble vanuit luxor

  We bieden een tweedaagse excursie naar Aswan en Abu Simbel vanuit Luxor.bezoek Aswan attracties,de hoge dam,de tempel van Isis op het eiland Phiala,de onvoltooide obelsik en vaar over de Nijl met Felucca en bezoek Abu Simbel,van de Kongin Ramses en de Koningin Nefertari

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Excursies Egypte Sunset Sailboat Trip  from Luxor with Felucca Ride

Sunset Sailboat Trip from Luxor with Felucca Ride

Enjoy Sunset sailboat Trip  from Luxor with Felucca ride, Egypt is not complete without sailing with Felucca in the  River Nile , the world’s longest river and a source of life for Egypt and its ancient civilization

Excursies Egypte Zeiltocht met zonsondergang excursie vanuit Luxor

Zeiltocht met zonsondergang excursie vanuit Luxor

Geniet van leuke zeiltocht met de zonsondergang excursie vanuit Luxor,met het bezoek banana eiland,Egypte is niet compleet zonder een zeilticht op de Nijl, De  langste rivier en een bron van leven voor Egypte en zijn oude beschaving