Recently Egypt had been able to embrace change in the development of its tourism though the process took its time. The European model has influenced the change brought about in the existing infrastructure of Egyptian Tourism. Several Educational programs are devised to educate and entertain the Tourist, to make them understand and respect local ways of Life, culture, history and religion. The design of new buildings, sites and transport systems should cut down on the potentially harmful visual effects of tourism. The design of the new buildings has been made to resemble blocks carrying the true line of Egyptian heritage.
Due to the Geological situation of Luxor, pollution control measures have been built into all forms of infrastructure. Sites of great natural beauty are preserved from the intrusion of the man made structures. The history of Luxor in many ways has become the bench mark for the Tourism of the developing countries who want to make their Tourism Industry the best performing industry. The Tourist market of Luxor has expanded, with along Luxor. What was once a village has now become a city, which gained heavily due to the mass growth in Foreign Tourist, becoming Egypt's wealthiest cities!
Tourist accommodations and facilities are mainly situated on the East Bank of the Nile and more accommodation sites are in the process of development. There are several four and five-star hotels coming up with an ever-increasing fleet of cruise boats operating on the Nile with a carrying capacity of 12,300 rooms. In addition, there has been a bustle regarding the development of the small hotels on the West Bank. These hotels will cater mainly to independent travelers and archaeologists working in the area. Government makes relocation of people living above or near tombs mandatory.History of Luxor
Luxor has a remarkable history which has weaned itself and given the place a unique rich feel that has interspersed its contours with temples and tombs to say the least. The city was originally a part of Thebes, the Southern City, almost eight hundred kilometers south of the Mediterranean, on the east bank of the river Nile. The city was an erstwhile capital of the Egyptian world during the reign of the eleventh dynasty and also most of the eighteenth dynasty of the Egyptian Pharaohs.
Thebes was the capital of Waset which is the seat of ancient Egypt. The city developed at early, and then Luxor was called as the Epet, came to light when the Theban family was established. Rose to power as the residence of the Royal family, it also became the altar of worship to the God of Amon. Luxor was a part of the land site chosen for the burial of the rich and discerning citizens including the people in the royal line. The Place housing the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens was one of the richest region of the then Egypt. Nile gave it the necessary impetus to be the abode of the Royalties as the place is cooler compared to other places which share the scorching heat of the Sahara Desert.
Luxor was also the ideal place for boating along the Nile, providing entertainment fit for the Kings and easy to have guards patrol the grounds. Moreover this is the site which would provide the necessary fast and safe exit for the Royalties. Over the period the site Luxor had a loss of face when the Royal patronage ceased. The History of Luxor has given Luxor places like Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, Tomb of Queen Nefertari, Temple of Amun, Valley of the Artisans, tombs of Tutankhamen and of Sons of Ramses II.
Sightseeing in Luxor
Luxor, erstwhile Thebes is a historic and ancient city of Egypt. Sightseeing In Luxor takes you to one of the numerous exotic locales steeped in history and aesthetic value.
The Valley of the Kings is the site where the pharaoh's underground tombs have been constructed. The various tombs such as those of Tutankhamun, Ramses III and IV reveal much about the funerary rites of Egypt and also showcase the day to day life in the country. The kings their reigns and their virtues have been elucidated in these tombs. The world watched awestruck, as these tombs revealed unimaginable treasures and prized relics besides the actual mummies and coffins of the Pharaohs.
A number of religious sites and shrines that have been built in Luxor are major sightseeing spots in Luxor as well. The nearby Temple of Kanark is the largest temple complex constructed by mankind. A number of other temples such as the temple of Hathor and Hatshepsut and the Temple of Seti I are famed for giving the world insights into ancient Egyptian religion and mythology. The rituals and practices of Egypt are vividly etched on the walls and ceilings as paintings and bas relief work.
The Deir el Bahari is a ruined site where the laborers and workmen of the New Kingdom had settled. The tombs of this site and the temples here, the living quarters here speak volumes of the plebian lifestyle of the age.
Besides their historic and archeological value, these sightseeing destinations in Luxor help reveal much about this ancient civilization in terms of art, craft and culture. The mystery shrouding the civilization has been dispelled by the relics and archeological artifacts unearthed in theses spots.Festivals and Events in Luxor
Egypt from times immemorial has been known as the land of the temples and gods and goddesses. As such festivals and events in Luxor have a special significance from the ancient days. Though many things has changed, the fervor and the zeal with these festivals and events in Luxor are celebrated in Luxor remains the same.
Luxor National Day
Luxor National Day that is celebrated by the Egyptians on 4th of November, 1922 marks the discovery of the tomb of the king Tutankhamen's. He is acknowledged as the most famous of the Egyptian pharaohs who ruled from 1348 to1337 BC. In addition to the squeezing all your inquisitiveness that revolve round the pyramids and the history, this festival gives you a chance to see the unique artifacts made of pure gold and precious stones.
Pharaonic Wedding Festival, Luxor
This festival marks the ancient customs that was quit popular among the people of Egypt. This festival is special as you can see some of the couples getting married in the temple of Karnak in the same old and the royal pattern that was prevalent in the days of the pharaoh.
King Tut International Festival, Luxor
This annual event celebrates the discovery of the king Tut's Tomb. The festival has been inspired by the Festival of the Opet. During the reign of the king Tut himself the whole of the ceremony was carved in relief on the procession in Luxor Temple. This thing is a major attraction for the tourists from allover the world.
Abu El Haggag Moulid, Luxor
This festival is celebrated twice a year and that too two weeks prior to the beginning of the Ramada. The most striking event of the ceremony is the two day street festival that includes music, dances, horse races, stick fights and a parade of the boats throughout the city streets. The festival is celebrated by the Moulid of Abu el-Haggag in the month of August.
Festival of Opet, Luxor
The famous festival of Opet is one of the most important festivals that have its great importance in the Theban area. The Opet festival is famous for the boat procession that is still carried out today but with a little difference.
Museums in Luxor
The present day city of Luxor lies on the site of the former erstwhile Thebes city. Luxor is cited as the world's greatest open air-museum as it is the treasure trove of a large number of architectural marvels belonging to the ancient era. Luxor with its stunning sites like the temple complexes at Karnak, the temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis including the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens and so on attracts a large number of tourists. The most interesting sites tell us a lot about the ancient Egyptian history and culture are the Museums in Egypt. The most important museums in Luxor are the-
Luxor Museum, Luxor- Luxor Museum is situated in the city of Luxor which was previously the site of the ancient Thebes. Overlooking the Nile River, the Luxor Museum stands on the corniche at the heart of the city. This museum was set up in 1975 and is laid in a small, multipurpose building. This museum boasts of the quality and the multilingual labeling of the artifacts it houses and the immaculate order of its exhibits. The Luxor Museum houses a unique assortment of the best quality artworks belonging to the Predynastic Period to the Islamic Epoch. Among the most extraordinary exhibits of the museum is the relics and artifacts that were originally found in the tomb of the illustrious Tutankhamun (KV62) and a assortment of twenty-six, extraordinarily well preserved New Kingdom sculptures that were discovered buried in a hidden storage space adjacent the Luxor Temple in 1989.
The two royal mummies if the pharaohs - Ahmose I and Ramesses I - were also displayed at the Luxor Museum in March 2004. Another remarkable display of the famous museum is the reconstructed walls of the Temple of Akhenaten at Karnak. Mummification Museum, Luxor- The Mummification Museum in the city Luxor, Egypt is one of the finest sites to know about the strange secrets of the pharaohs. The museum is situated in a belowground hall on the Nile, adjacent to the national ferry on the east bank.
The ancient mummification procedure of Egyptians has inspired awe of the people throughout the world. The Mummification Museum displays the various substances used in mummification including the natron. The noteworthy exhibits of the museum is the mummy of Masaharta, the high priest of Amun and the son of King Panedjem, the funerary boat and the statue of Osiris. Interestingly mummified animals are also exhibited including a cat mummy, a baboon mummy and the mummy of a ram inside a gold coffin.
Getting There
Egypt Air offer regular flights to Luxor. However most other flights do not directly go to Luxor, but tourists can reach Cairo International Airport and can avail the numerous flights from Cairo to Luxor. The journey from Luxor to Cairo takes 40 minutes and is a comfortable one.
The Luxor International Airport that is the main airport operating in the region has a number of flights that run regularly between Luxor and all the major cities of the world.
Getting to Luxor by road is also a well opted medium of transportation as there are regular buses that connect you to parts of Egypt. In addition, you can hire any of the innumerable taxis from Cairo to Luxor or avail one of the innumerable air conditioned buses. It is one of the best ways of getting to Luxor by road from any part of Egypt.
Hotels in Luxor
