Visit West Bank Luxor : Discover the Magical Land of Pharaohs and Amazing Ancient Remains
The west bank of luxor is without doubt one of the best travel destinations at the world when referring to old remains . Located on the west side of the river nile in contrast of the modern city of luxor , luxor’s west bank , known at antiquity with the land of dead, became the resting tomb for kings and queens of egypt, nobleman and high officers .
Today, travellers come to luxor’s west bank in order to investigate its grand tombs, spectacular temples for the sake of memorising the dead kings & great rulers . West bank luxor embraces number of famous egyptian ancient sites , such as the magnificent tomb of valley of the kings , mortuary temple of hatshepsut. Planning your luxor day tours or luxury nil cruise or complete egypt trip tour.
How the West Bank of Luxor Was Known as the Land of the Dead
The ancient Egyptians always associated west with death and after-life. It’s as if after going below the sun which was the source of the day, people are reborn there and take up life in the other world. So there it is, western side of the Nile was preferred to carry royal tombs and graves and funerary temples in Thebes that has been established as the capital of the country and of their religion through a significant part of the history of Egypt and was known as Luxor.
During the New Kingdom pharaohs selected it as their burial grounds, for them to prepare for their death voyage.
Discover the Beautiful Hatshepsut’s Temple
If you’re visiting the West Bank of luxor, then you shouldn’t miss this fascinating building. One of the most architectural wonders in the country, the Temple of Hatshepsut is an absolute must-see. Built for one of Egypt’s only female Pharaohs, the imposing structures are set at the foot of soaring desert cliffs and their unique terraces are so perfectly symmetrical it’s as if you’re standing at an impossible angle.
Originally constructed to honour the great female pharaoh and celebrate her accomplishments and divine lineage, today its walls and columns tell an extraordinary story of Hatshepsut’s successful trading expedition to Punt and her many achievements.
This eye-catching and dramatically situated temple is one of the most visually impressive and photographed locations in Luxor.
Discover The Valley Of The Queens and Ancient Kings And Tombs
Go to The Valley of the Queens Just beyond the Valley of the Kings you will find the beautiful Valley of the Queens which was the burial site for queens, royal princes and royal family members. There are literally dozens of tombs within the site, most of which have painted illustrations or hieroglyphs that describe the stories of royalty as well as religious verses. The Tomb of Nefertari is the most well known and has often described as the best tomb for Egyptian Art in Egypt, it is also referred to as The Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt.
Any lovers of ancient Egyptian art will want to visit The Valley of The Queens.
Discover The Colossi of Memnon and Ancient Funerary Temples
Upon arrival to The West Bank, you will be immediately greeted by The Colossi of Memnon, a pair of monumental stone figures that guard this area from more than 3000 years ago, and which used to stand before the massive Temple of Ramesses the Great for king Amenhotep I II to protect. Today not much of the temple is standing, but The Colossi of Memnon are among some of the more famous and recognizable icons of Luxor. Also on The West Bank of luxor you will find a few mortuary temples like:- TheTemple of Ramesses I II (or Medinet Habu). The Temple of Ramesses the I I (or Ramesseum).
Some ancient chapels and somenoble tombs.
Vast number of ancient egyptian archaelogical findings. The west bank usually have few tourist compare to Valley of the King.
When is the best time to visit the West Bank of Luxor
The West Bank of Luxor is best visited from October through April, due to the pleasant temperatures and sightseeing conditions. If you’re heading over there soon, you won’t want to miss these important tips to help you make the most out of your trip: Arrive early in the morning before the midday heat has really settled in.
- Light clothing and comfy shoes are essential.
- Pack your water, sunscreen and a hat – it gets hot in the desert!
Why not invest in a skilled Egyptologist guide?
Dedicate the majority of your day to exploring the big ticket sights. Consider combining a tour of the West Bank with your East Bank explorations for a truly immersive Luxor visit.
Most people that do a hot-air balloon ride across the desert make sure they do it in time for the sun to rise over the tombs, temples and valley.
Why do you need to do the Luxor West Bank in Egypt
But Luxor’s West Bank is much more than a collection of ruins – it is a remarkable place to experience pharaohs, their gods, and the religion which formed the basis of one of the oldest, if not the oldest, civilizations in the history of mankind. The valley of the Kings, mortuary temples and royal tombs in the west bank of Luxor all together provides a great glimpse into the religion and spiritualism of Ancient Egypt. Many Luxor Day Trips in Egypt will visit the west bank of Luxor giving travelers a chance to discover more history.