05Feb

Luxor West Bank

Luxor West Bank; The West Side is a world different from the hustle and bustle of Luxor, which is located on the east bank.

Taking a cab over the bridge, 6km south of the town, or crossing on the ancient ferry, you’ll be in the beautiful Egyptian countryside, with brilliant green sugarcane fields along irrigation canals and clusters of colorful dwellings, all set against the backdrop of the desert and the Theban highlands.

As you go closer to the end of the cultivated area, you’ll find large sandstone blocks lying in the center of fields, gaping black holes in the rocks, and massive sandstone formations on the edge of the cultivation below.

On the flood plains here, magnificent memorial temples were built to perpetuate the illusion of the pharaoh’s immortality through the devotions of his priests and subjects, while his body and worldly wealth, as well as the bodies of his wives and children, were laid in splendidly decorated hidden tombs excavated in the hills.

The Attractions of Luxor West Bank

The western bank was known as “the city of the dead” because it contained tombs, necropolises, funerary temples, and all the places used in burial rituals.

Here are some of the top attractions on the West Bank of Luxor:

The Valley of the Kings:

The Valley of the Kings is a vast necropolis where many of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried. Some sixty legendary tombs and chambers vary from a simple shaft to tombs with 100 chambers.

It was used for over five centuries as a burial place for the pharaohs. Visitors can explore the tombs, which still contain well-preserved artwork and hieroglyphics.

The Tomb of Tutankhamun:

The Tomb of Tutankhamun is the most famous in the Valley of the Kings. His mummy was decorated with jewels and his face with a gold mask, besides many other valuable things

that were on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and are now in the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The valley of the Queens:

The Valley of the Queens is the final resting place of many of the wives of pharaohs. The most important tomb is that of Nefertari, Ramses II’s wife, a luxuriously designed tomb painting preserved.
Visitors can explore the tombs and see the beautiful artwork and hieroglyphics inside.

The Temple of Hatshepsut:

The Temple of Hatshepsut is stunning on the Nile River’s west bank. It was built in honor of the only female pharaoh of Egypt, Hatshepsut.

One of the mysteries of Egypt is that it is different from the rest of the temples in the country. The mural paintings and inscriptions on its walls are myths and legends of great interest.

Visitors can admire the temple’s stunning architecture, including its many pillars and terraces.

The Colossi of Memnon:

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. They once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep’s mortuary temple,

Floods damaged the statues beyond recognition; they remain standing and impressive.

The Ramsseum Temple:

A memorial temple was built for an Egyptian pharaoh, Ramesses II. This Temple is highlighted by the 57 colossi of Ramses II, in addition to the inscriptions on the walls representing the king’s battles.

Habu Temple of Ramses III:

Medinet Habu is an ancient temple complex built by Ramses III. One of the New Kingdom memorial temples, it is full of decorations of inscriptions and scenes of the king’s military victories, rituals, and annual festivals dedicated to the god Amun.

Deir el-Medina:

Deir el-Medina is an ancient village home to the workers who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, You can see the living conditions of the workers who constructed the graves and the temples of ancient Thebes.

Temple of Seti I:

The temple was dedicated to the god Amun and other deities, and it was designed to be a mortuary temple for Seti I

The temple is also known as the “House of Millions of Years of Seti I.”

The Temple of Seti I is notable for its well-preserved reliefs and inscriptions, depicting scenes from Egyptian mythology, such as the world’s creation and the Pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife.

Luxor West Bank, Luxor West Bank

Activities in Luxor west bank

Attend a sound and light show:

Many temples and sites on the West Bank of Luxor offer sound and light shows in the evening. These shows use light projections and music to bring the area’s ancient history to life.

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride:

For a more traditional mode of transportation, visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage ride on the West Bank of Luxor. This is a great way to see the sights and relax simultaneously.

Visit a traditional Nubian village:

Visitors can tour a conventional Nubian town on the West Bank of Luxor to learn about this unique culture. Nubians have their language, traditions, and architecture,

and the tour may include a visit to a local home, a market, or a school.

Go on a desert safari:

Visitors can take a desert safari on the West Bank of Luxor to explore the surrounding desert and see some of the area’s natural beauty.

This may include visiting a desert oasis, a camel ride, or a hike through the dunes.

Attend traditional music and dance performance:

Visitors can experience traditional Egyptian music and dance by attending a performance on the West Bank of Luxor. These performances often include live music, singing, and dancing.

Take a felucca ride on the Nile:

Visitors can take a relaxing one on the Nile River to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the West Bank of Luxor. Feluccas are traditional Egyptian sailboats, and the ride is a great way to experience the river and its surroundings.

Go on a hot air balloon ride:

As mentioned, a hot air balloon ride is famous on the West Bank of Luxor. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the ancient sites, the Nile River, and the surrounding desert from above.

Take a felucca ride on the Nile:

Take a bike tour:

Visitors can rent a bike or take a guided bike tour on the West Bank of Luxor. This is a great way to explore the area at a leisurely pace and get some exercise at the same time.

These are just a few of the many activities on the West Bank of Luxor. Visitors can choose from various experiences to make the most of their time in this historic and culturally rich area.