Luxor Egypt: Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, Hot air balloon sunrise

 

October 29, 2025

Karnak Temples 

Built and occupied between 2055BD-100AD were impressive, awe inspiring works of engineering precision. Loved the shade offered amongst the columns so hung out in them after walking to the back temples. It was hot, about 100, and uncrowded. The Temple of Karnak was believed to be the spot where creation began. They also believed it was a point of interaction between the god Amun-Ra and Egyptians. It is important to Egypt's cultural history because it was a place of worship and provides clues about the ancient Egyptian religion.  

A gap in tourists! Wasn't crowded, well planned by guide

4,000 yr old lake

Rames 

Karnak temple complex 

Karnack temple column close up photo

In Luxor, wee stayed at the fabulous, historical Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel 

From our room at the Winter Palace we could glimpse the Nile as well as the Luxor Temple complex

Winter Palace Hotel key costs $100 USD to replace and weighs so much you don't forget to leave at front desk 

Another formal sitting room Winter Palace

Another formal sitting room Winter Palace

The next day we visited the  Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable necropolises in Egypt. Located beneath the ancient Theban Hills just outside of Luxor, this barren valley was chosen as the sacred burial ground during the New Kingdom of dynastic Egypt (1539-1075 BCE).  Tourists have marveled at the iconic location since Roman times.  In fact, in some tombs, you'll see Latin and Greek graffiti dating back to 278BCE. 

Valley of the Kings painting in tombs of one of the many Rameses  

Entry was always down steps, sometime many. Our first Rameses II I believe wasn't crowded. King Tut of course was. 

We wore masks not only for respiratory diseases but also because there's no circulation in air in the lowest chambers.  Our guide insisted that we spend no more than 15 min total in any tomb and that we wait 5 minutes minimum before walking to another and doing the same timing.  Walking between time didn't count. 

Intricate paintings and hieroglyphics were magnificent, note the ceiling is painted as well. 

Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun was very popular and his mummy is here, the treasure found in the tomb is in the Grand Egyptian Museum/GEM that I'll also post

Hot Air balloon sunrise ride over the temples and peeking into the Valley of the Kings. Pickup was 4:20 due to "Winter Time" similar to our daylight savings time turning clocks back an hour but it happened a week before the USA.