Queen of the Desert: A Sunrise Visit to Hatshepsut’s Temple

#summervacay **Why Go Early?** Beat the heat and crowds by arriving at **Deir el-Bahari** at dawn, when the rising sun turns the temple’s terraces gold and the desert breeze still carries the night’s coolness. This 3,500-year-old masterpiece looks like it was carved from the cliffs themselves! --- ### **🌅 Your Perfect Morning Itinerary** #### **5:30 AM - West Bank Adventure Begins** - **Private Taxi from Luxor:** (~200 EGP roundtrip) - **Pro Tip:** Stop at the **Colossi of Memnon** for quick photos in dawn light #### **6:00 AM - Temple Exploration** - **Secret Spot:** The **Punt Reliefs** (left colonnade) showing Hatshepsut’s legendary trading expedition with giraffes and gold - **Kids’ Challenge:** Count the **Osiris statues** on the upper terrace (originally 200!) #### **7:30 AM - Cool Retreat** - **Café Stop:** Fresh sugarcane juice at the site entrance - **Next Move:** Combine with **Valley of the Kings** (opens at 6 AM) before peak heat --- ### **💰 Budget Breakdown** - **Temple Entry:** 240 EGP (kids under 12 free) - **Electric Cart:** 20 EGP (optional ride from parking lot) - **Guidebook:** 150 EGP (or use free **"Clio Muse"** app) --- ### **⚠️ Summer Survival Tips** - **Cover Up:** The terraces get **10°C hotter** than ground level by 8 AM - **Footwear:** Sturdy sandals—ramps are steep and sandy - **Hidden History:** Look for **erased cartouches** where Thutmose III tried to delete Hatshepsut’s legacy **Why Families Love This?** ✅ **Real-life "Mummy Returns" set** (filming location!) ✅ **Shaded lower colonnade** for quick breaks ✅ **Epic photo ops** with minimal tourists **Tag your adventure #hatshepsutrises!** 👑🌄 *(Pair with **Tomb of Nefertari** (requires separate ticket) for a queenly double-feature!)*