Edfu Temple

We came to Edfu, a city between Luxor and Aswan, by a microbus from Kom Ombo to visit its ancient temple, one of the best preserved ancient temples in Egypt. This temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed son of Osiris, was built during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt between 237 and 57 BC.

Kom Ombo Temple

This temple on the town of Kom Ombo at the southern Egypt was built by Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC) and added by other Ptolemys. It was used to worship two sets of gods, the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus.

The town of Kom Ombo is near Aswan on Nile River. However, we didn't think about visiting the temple there until we left Aswan and went to Luxor, from where we took a train (around three hours) to Kom Ombo. Because of its location, Egypt's uprising and the hot weather in summer, we were two of only five visitors hanging around to view the courts, halls, pillars and reliefs of this temple.

Madinat Habu

This temple complex, also known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, is located on the West Bank of Luxor. We visited this well-preserved temple after going to the valleys of kings and queens and also Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut. Its architecture and reliefs are beautiful and fascinating. It's worthy to spend a couple of hours walking around and admiring its artistic beauty.

The Temple of Deir el Bahari

We took a ferry to the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor to visit the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and temples. However, the first two sites prohibit visitors' taking photos. After going to the two loyal tomb sites without any photo, we visited this mortuary temple of Pharaoh (Queen) Hatshepsut and saw this magnificent structure sitting overshadowed by the Peak of the Thebes. We couldn't stop clicking the cameras at every status, pillar, relief.....there.

Luxor-People

After traveling through several areas in Egypt, we were really fond of Luxor not only by its famous ancient ruins, loyal tombs and temples, and also by its rich traditions and culture. The folks in Luxor like to go out to engage in any social activities. We were fascinated by seeing Egyptian stick fighting and religion gathering outside Luxor Temple, and also horse dancing outside a tea shop.

Karnak Temple

Everyone who comes to Luxor would visit the biggest ancient temple site in Egypt- The Karnak Temple complex. Since the 16th century BC, around 30 successive pharaohs had contributed additions to this site, including a vast mix of 25 ruined temples, chapels, pylons, obelisks, and other structures.

In one morning, we took a microbus outside the train station in Luxor and arrived at this temple complex in a few minutes. First, we walked through the Avenue of the Sphinxes, once a two-miles scared way from Karnak to Luxor Temple, and then we saw many tour guides leading their groups and explaining the long ancient history in English, German, French, Chinese, Japaness, or Korean... There are a lot to see here, but the most impressive area for me is the Hypostyle Hall, which comprises 134 huge columns, highest 21 meters tall with a diameter of over three meters.