Full-day tour from Luxor: Dendera and Abydos temples

North of Luxor stand two temples that many travelers never reach, and both reward the drive.

At Abydos you spend about two hours in the Great Temple, whose king list shows the cartouches of Egypt’s pharaohs in order, from Menes to Ramesses I. At Dendera you spend another two hours in the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. It dates to the Ptolemaic period, and its ceiling carries rare astronomical carvings. Look for the relief of Queen Cleopatra and her son Caesarion.

A professional Egyptologist tells the story of each temple and answers your questions. We pick you up from your hotel in Luxor in an air-conditioned vehicle, and every entrance ticket is already paid.

Who the Abydos and Dendera day trip is for

This day suits travelers who have seen Luxor’s main sites and want temples that many visitors never reach. It is also a good choice for anyone interested in carvings and inscriptions, since both temples are known for the quality of their reliefs.

At Abydos you spend about two hours in the Great Temple, whose king list shows Egypt’s pharaohs in order, from Menes to Ramesses I. At Dendera, another two hours, look up at the astronomical ceiling and find the relief of Cleopatra and Caesarion. Egypt’s official monuments site has more on both sites.

The drive north is long, so bring something to read and a snack, since lunch is not included. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, and a small torch or phone light helps in darker halls.