2025 Dandarah Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

#100waysoftravel Day 1: East Bank Highlights [Must-Visit Attractions] 1. Karnak Temple Complex - The largest temple complex in Egypt, known for its massive columns and ancient statues. 2. Luxor Temple - A striking temple with an avenue of sphinxes and towering statues. 3. Luxor Museum - Displays a collection of artifacts, including mummies and statues, offering insights into Luxor's history. [Photo Spots] 1. Avenue of Sphinxes - Perfect for sunset shots. 2. Hypostyle Hall at Karnak - Features enormous columns with hieroglyphics. 3. Luxor Corniche - Scenic views along the Nile, especially at sunrise or sunset. Day 2: West Bank Exploration [Must-Visit Attractions] 1. Valley of the Kings - Tombs of ancient pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, with detailed wall paintings. 2. Temple of Hatshepsut - A terraced temple built into the cliffs, dedicated to Egypt’s female pharaoh. 3. Colossi of Memnon - Two massive statues of Amenhotep III. [Photo Spots] 1. Hatshepsut Temple Terrace - Great panoramic views. 2. Valley of the Kings Entrance - Dramatic mountainous backdrop. 3. Colossi of Memnon - The enormous statues providing great photo opportunities. Day 3: Dendera Temple and Hot Air Balloon Ride [Must-Visit Attractions] 1. Hot Air Balloon Ride - Enjoy a sunrise ride over Luxor for spectacular views of the Nile and the temples. 2. Dendera Temple Complex - An hour from Luxor, known for its colorful carvings and the Zodiac ceiling. 3. Temple of Hathor - Located within Dendera, famous for its detailed ceiling and carvings. [Photo Spots] 1. Hathor Temple Ceiling - Beautiful carvings and zodiac signs. 2. Hot Air Balloon Views - Capture sunrise over Luxor. 3. Dendera Temple Rooftop - Panoramic views of the surrounding area. [Must-Try Food] 1. Mahshi (stuffed vegetables) and Moussaka Restaurant: Sofra, a traditional Egyptian restaurant with a charming rooftop terrace serving classic dishes in an authentic setting. 2. Tagine (lamb or chicken with vegetables) Restaurant: Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant. Located on a rooftop overlooking the Nile and Luxor Temple, offering a mix of Egyptian and international dishes with great views. 3. Koshari (rice, lentils, pasta, and spicy tomato sauce) Restaurant: El Hussein, a popular spot known for its affordable and hearty Egyptian street food, especially Koshari. Accommodation Recommended Area: Near the Nile River (Scenic views and access to both banks) Hotel: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor Address: Corniche El Nile St, Luxor City, Luxor, Egypt Tips: 1. Start Early: To avoid the heat and crowds, start your day early, especially for outdoor sites and the hot air balloon ride. 2. Stay Hydrated: Bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. 3. Hire a Guide: A knowledgeable local guide can greatly enhance your experience at Luxor’s historical sites. #egypt #egypt_where_history_started #egypt2024 #history

​​——The Megalithic Epic and Magic of Light by the Nile​​ 🌟【Introduction】 Located 290 kilometers south of Aswan by Lake Nasser in Egypt, two colossal temples carved from a single sandstone cliff have stood watch for 3,300 years. Abu Simbel—named after a shepherd boy—is the power declaration of ancient Egypt’s most arrogant pharaoh, Ramses II: four 20-meter-tall seated statues of the king pierce the cliff, their eyes blazing as they gaze over the Nile, engraving in stone the imperial ambition that “all things perish, only I endure.” In 1960, to save the temples from being submerged by the Aswan High Dam, UNESCO launched a heritage relocation project—cutting 110,000 tons of rock into 1,036 blocks and reassembling them 60 meters higher like giant Lego bricks. Today, this site is not only a World Heritage Site but also a totem of humanity’s spirit of civilization preservation. 🕒【Opening Hours】 Regular Hours: Open year-round 06:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) Miracle Moments: Sun Festival Spectacle: Every year on February 21 (Ramses’ birthday) and October 21 (coronation day) from 5:53 to 6:46 AM, sunlight penetrates the 60-meter corridor, precisely illuminating the statues of Amun-Ra, Ramses, and Ra-Horakhty deep inside the temple (only the dark god Ptah remains in shadow). ⚠️ Survival Rules: ① Flash photography is prohibited inside the temple (strong light accelerates pigment deterioration); ② Climbing on statue bases is forbidden (fine of 5,000 EGP ≈ ¥850). 💵【Tickets & Benefits】 Item Price (EGP ≈ ¥0.23) Privileges Main Temple + Hathor Temple Pass 260 EGP Includes AR holographic presentation of the relocation project Sunrise Special Package 380 EGP Valid only on Sun Festival days, includes a hot drink pack Nubian Guided Tour 150 EGP Unlocks secret interpretations of temple murals 🔱【Core Experiences】 1. Decoding the Megalithic Code Imperial Majesty Intimidation: Stand beneath the giant statue of Ramses II (toes equal adult height), look up at the double cobra emblem on his crown—symbolizing rule over Upper and Lower Egypt—and feel the visual pressure of the “God-King.” War Epic Decoding: Find the full panorama of the Battle of Kadesh on the main hall’s relief walls: Ramses charging in his chariot and Hittite soldiers fleeing—a military documentary mural. Love Declaration Secret Chamber: The Hathor Temple (built for Queen Nefertari) features rare equal double statues, with inscriptions “The sun rises for her,” overturning traditional male dominance. 2. Ultimate Sun Festival Ceremony Light Path Tracking Experiment: Hold a prism at the corridor entrance to observe changes in sunlight refraction angles and understand ancient Egyptian astronomical errors (the miracle day is delayed by one day due to relocation). Dark God’s Secret: When sunlight avoids the statue of Ptah, priests chant “Chaos never invades order,” reenacting ancient Egyptian cosmology rituals. 3. Immersive Relocation Project Cutting Line Treasure Hunt: Touch the serrated seams on the temple’s outer walls (cut marks), find relocation codes like “B-27,” and unlock audio notes from engineers. Underwater Original Site Exploration: Take a glass-bottom boat to the heart of Lake Nasser, dive 30 meters to see the submerged original base (diving certification required). 🚁【Transportation Guide】 Secret Coordinates: Abu Simbel, Aswan Governorate, Egypt Air Highway (Recommended): Aswan Airport → Take the sunrise flight (departing at 05:30, 15-minute flight) → Overlook the temple like golden blocks embedded in a blue lake; Land Legend: Join a convoy in armored vehicles crossing the desert (departure at 3 AM), armed escort against bandits, watch the Sahara Milky Way set along the way. 🌅【Itinerary Design】 🗺️ Three-Day Divine Power Tour in Aswan Day 1 Relocation Epic: Aswan High Dam → Philae Temple (Isis temple on water) → Nubian village painted afternoon tea → Overnight on the Moving Palace cruise ship Day 2 Sun Sanctuary: Sunrise flight to Abu Simbel → Main Temple Sun Festival/Relocation AR experience → Hathor Temple love code → Nubian hand drum night feast Day 3 Underwater Civilization: Lake heart diving to original site → Unfinished obelisk → Nile sailboat sunset 🛖 Accommodation Revolution Type Representative Stay Temple Easter Egg Rock Cliff Cave House Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge Balcony faces the temple light show directly Cruise Viewing Deck MS Movenpick Sunboat Seamless top deck sunrise ceremony viewing Desert Star Camp Abu Simbel Camp Bedouin storytelling + statue projection show 🎒【Pre-Trip Tips】 📦 Miracle Witness Kit Tool Hardcore Use Polarizing Lens Filters lake glare, captures clear statue reflections Sonic Detector Captures 21 Hz resonance frequency inside corridor (ancient priest frequency) Ochre Pigment Plate Rubbings of mural sections (non-protected areas only) 💡 Fun Fact Explosion: The temple’s orientation after relocation is accurate to 0.5 arc seconds—equivalent to aiming a needle tip from Cairo to Alexandria! ☀️ ​​ ​​ When the first ray of morning light pierces 60 meters of darkness to illuminate Ramses II’s face, you will understand why humanity spent ten years moving a mountain. (Note: In 2025, a new “Relocation Engineer AI Dialogue” will be added, allowing questions about construction details.) 【Civilization Convention】No noise during the Sun Festival; remain silent for 3 minutes when the divine light shines; no touching murals (oil accelerates peeling).

#summervacay **Why Summer Nights Shine Here?** While others sweat at crowded Giza, you'll explore **Dendera's breathtaking temple complex** under starry skies—when the desert cools and the temple's famous **zodiac ceiling** glows in golden light. Perfect for families who love history without the heat! --- ### **🌙 Your Perfect Evening Visit Plan** #### **4:00 PM - Beat the Heat from Luxor** - **Private Van** (1.5hr drive, ~600 EGP roundtrip) - **Pro Tip:** Stop at **Nagaa Hammadi Sugar Factory** to see sugarcane trains—kids love it! #### **6:00 PM - Golden Hour Magic** - **Cleopatra’s Secret:** Find her carved portrait (rare outside Alexandria!) - **Light & Sound Show:** New summer program projects **ancient constellations** onto the temple ceiling #### **8:00 PM - Dinner Under the Stars** - **Nile Moon Restaurant:** Local *fattah* and hibiscus tea with temple views --- ### **💰 Budget Breakdown** - **Entry:** 300 EGP (kids under 12 free) - **Transport:** 600 EGP van from Luxor (split with 4 people = 150 EGP each) - **Dinner:** 200 EGP per person --- ### **⚠️ Summer-Smart Tips** - **Flashlight Essential:** To decode **hidden inscriptions** after dark - **Cool Clothing:** Desert nights stay warm (25°C)—wear breathable linen - **Secret Spot:** The **"Crypt of the Sun"** tunnel stays refreshingly cool **Why It’s Better Than Daytime?** ✅ **No crowds**—you’ll have the temple nearly to yourself ✅ **Dramatic lighting** enhances the carvings ✅ **Summer special:** Extended nighttime hours (open until 10 PM) **Tag your adventure #DenderaStarlight!** 🌌🏛️ *(Combine with next-day **Abydos Temple**—only 90 mins away!)*

The Dendera Temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and is famous for its well-preserved architecture and exquisite reliefs. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic period and combines ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman architectural styles. The Dendera Temple is the only temple with multiple basements and secret passages. There are 14 basements in the temple, but only one basement has stairs leading down. Sometimes, the staff won't let you go down because there are people below, but you just need to wait a while before you can go down. Be sure to check out the basement, where there is a famous relief known as the "Dendera Light." The relief depicts a pattern similar to a modern light bulb, sparking discussions about whether the ancient Egyptians had mastered electricity. However, most scholars believe that these patterns actually symbolize mythological scenes in religious rituals rather than real electrical devices. You can investigate this yourself. The murals are very exquisite, especially the well-preserved reliefs in the basement. The drive takes an hour and a half, and you can also rent a car to get there. Highly recommended as a must-visit attraction in Luxor!

The Temple of Hathor dominates this temple complex. The complex has been in use since at least the year 360 BC however the existing temple structure dates from around 54 B.C. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of love Hathor. The temple complex is one of the best preserved in Egypt. It contained to a well preserved ceilings with original paint work and carving of an integrate zodiac. #getgoing2025 #egypt #ancient #temple

The Blue Temple was built by the father of the famous Queen Cleopatra. Built in the late Egyptian period, it is in a very good state of preservation. Although the murals were scraped off by the Romans, the beautiful ceiling paintings can still be seen, and the detailed decorations carved without gaps are a masterpiece. You have to get there from Luxor, but day tours are expensive, so I negotiated with a taxi locally to take me there. I think it was 1200 EGP for a day to an English-speaking driver. The person I matched with on inDrive in the morning seemed nice, so I negotiated with him and he took me there. It's cheap, so I recommend it. #FreeTravellerWinter #0YenTrip

The "last glory" of the Greek era👉Dendera Temple Location: Luxor 🔑Keywords: One of the most representative buildings of the Ptolemaic dynasty Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dendera Temple is the temple of the mother goddess Hathor. It was built around 100 BC and retains the painting and architectural style of the late Ptolemaic dynasty. Many temples in Dendera are severely damaged, leaving only the Temple of Hathor, which is almost intact and famous for the relief of Cleopatra VII. Cleopatra VII was the last queen of Egypt before Roman rule. The main building of the Temple of Hathor is well preserved. On the right side after entering are two delivery rooms, next to the ruins of a Coptic church, and further inside is the temple. The interior of the temple is decorated with exquisite and complete reliefs from the walls to the ceiling, with bright and beautiful colors. Especially on the ceiling, there are celestial maps of the twelve constellations and scenes of the gods driving the sun boat through the universe. The relief of Cleopatra VII is on the south wall of the temple, with clear outlines. There is a room at the back of the temple that leads to the underground tomb, where there is a famous mural similar to a light bulb, which is amazing. The most regrettable thing is that the mural of the zodiac on the ceiling of a room on the second floor of the temple is now only a black replica, and the original mural is now in the Louvre in France, which is well worth a visit!

#2024TravelReview This temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, who is revered as the goddess of love, fertility and music. Beautifully carved hieroglyphics and stunning astronomical ceiling paintings. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic dynasty and was the last large-scale temple building built before ancient Egypt was ruled by the Romans. Lonely Planet strives to provide a great atmosphere for the temple ruins, not only the external multi-column hall, but also the equally breathtaking internal multi-column hall and sanctuary ✨️. Many people who come to Egypt admire this temple 💕. It is the number one temple in many people’s minds 😊. It takes about 64 kilometers and more than an hour to drive from Luxor. 📍Address: Qism Qena, Qena, Qena Governorate 1455046 Egypt 🕰️Opening hours: 7:00-17:00 💰Average consumption: Ticket price 150 Egyptian pounds 🏖️Atmosphere/facilities: Beautiful and colorful column carvings✨️ 💞Recommendation reason: Well preserved, magnificent💕 🗓️Itinerary: Two hours 🏖️Atmosphere/facilities: Antique and colorful #Historical monuments #Egypt #Temple

#OctoberGoodDestinations2024 The temple is stunning, the area to visit is huge and takes three hours to tour, the structure is amazing and most of the paint is still intact. You can hire a guide and listen to the guide tell the history and legends of this place, and you can ask questions if you want to know more. The site dates back to 2200 BC and the current structure was built around 350 BC. It is considered one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The centerpiece of the site is the Temple of Hathor, built in 54 BC. This is an exquisite and large temple that is fun to visit. The paint on the ceiling is still intact after 2,000 years. For 2,000 years, a beautiful Chinese zodiac symbol was embedded in the ceiling, but it was seized by the French in 1820 and is now housed in the Louvre. A must-see attraction, highly recommended.

|The Nile Valley is the eternal picture frame of the gods. Although I am 180 years later than David Roberts, I can still unlock many camera positions in the same frame by relying on this gouache masterpiece "Egypt & Nubia"! ✓【Airport Guide】 ①Dandara Hathor Temple Main Entrance ②Dandara Hathor Temple Multi-column Hall ③Dandara Hathor Temple Mamisi ④Dandara Hathor Temple Tribute Hall and Sanctuary ⑤Aswan Philae Temple·First Tower Gate ⑥Aswan·Philae Temple·Nile River in Low Dam Area ⑦Aswan Philae Temple Hadrian's Gate ⑧Aswan Philae Temple Temple of Isis ⑨Edfu·Horus Temple·Sacrifice Courtyard ⑩Kang Ombo Sobek Temple Multi-column Hall ✓【David Roberts】 David Roberts(1796-1864) Born in Scotland, British painter and Royal Academician He began traveling to Palestine and Egypt in 1838. When he returned to England, his works were plated by printmaker Louis Haji and published in a set of six volumes. A complete set of 248 prints are all hand-colored: the first three volumes are themed on Egypt and Nubia, and the last three volumes are travel albums of Holy Land sightseeing. Moreover, the work of this trip to the Middle East was put on sale in the form of pre-order before his departure. When he returned to the UK a few years later, it became an instant hit once published, and thus gained the favor of the Royal Academy.

In ancient Egyptian history, it was rare for a pharaoh to build a temple for a 'queen.' The last one to enjoy this privilege was the famous Nefertiti. Compared to the great temple, the small temple appears more gentle and elegant. In the six statues of the Temple of Hathor, the queen and the pharaoh are of equal height, which is very unusual because, in ancient Egyptian history, the queen's statue would at most reach the pharaoh's knees. Clearly, this rule was broken here, showing how much Ramses II loved this queen... Personally, I think the most splendid part of the Temple of Hathor is the reliefs on the walls, so if you ever go there, make sure to appreciate them carefully! Temple of Hathor

|Tiffany blue, unique to the goddess Hathor. I arrived at the Temple of Hathor on February 14, 2024. May we receive your meticulous protection as we wander in the river of love. ✓【Temple of Hathor】Must-check-in section Hathor: the goddess of love, beauty, wealth, music and dance, the daughter of the sun god Ra and the spouse of Horus. ① Hathor goddess capital (bull head form) ②Tiffany blue ceiling ③Rare image of "Sky Goddess - Nut" ④ The origin of the "Zodiac" on the roof of the Northeast Suite ⑤Basement "Ancient Alien Light Bulb" Source ⑥Relief of Cleopatra and Caesar's son on the south side of the outer wall ⑦ Two Mamixi (delivery rooms) from different eras ✓【Temple of Hathor】Well-preserved architecture Dendera was an important administrative and cult center during the Sixth Dynasty (2320 BC), but most of its remains date from the late Pharaonic period. The biggest reason why the buildings from the late Pharaoh era can still be listed as the most iconic temples is that they are basically intact: whether it is the stone roof and columns, the dark interior rooms and cellar stairs, they are still decorated with a large number of hieroglyphs. ✓【Outer Hypostyle Hall】Grants from the Roman Empire Built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius, the 24 huge columns had heads of the goddess Hathor carved on all four sides of the front six, but the faces were chiseled off by later Christians. ✓【Inner Hypostyle Hall】Ptolemaic Dynasty of Greece It is also decorated with the head of the goddess Hathor, but on a smaller scale, and the walls are engraved with scenes of royal religious ceremonies. The blank scrollwork means that the craftsmen were reluctant to engrave the name of the pharaoh who ruled at the time, because the pharaohs of the Ptolemaic period changed so quickly. ✓【Tribute Hall and Crypt】The Sanctuary of Hathor After the inner and outer hypostyle halls is the Tribute Hall, which leads to the sanctuary. The statue of the goddess Hathor was stored in the cellar at that time. Every year when the Nile River rose in tide, it would be carried out and invited into the Tribute Hall, and finally carried to the roof to receive the ceremony with other gods. ✓【Tiffany Blue Ceiling】Blue Nile Nut, the goddess of the sky, holds up the sky with her body and arms outstretched. The Eye of Horus crosses the Nile in the solar boat. A procession of underworld gods lined up to worship Horus. Nut, the sky goddess, closed her eyes and spit out the sun and the wings of Horus. The famous "Zodiac" is located in the Northeast Suite. The original is in the Louvre, and currently a piece of plaster is pasted on it. 【Mamissi and exterior wall relief】 Outside the temple, there are many attractions in the two mamis (delivery rooms) built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty and the Roman Empire. Don't miss them. There are also lion-shaped gargoyles on the outer wall, which are used to pray for rainfall, as well as murals of the pharaoh worshiping gods. The most spectacular wall is the south wall, where Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, and Caesarion, the son of Ulysses Caesar, stand together.

If you've come all the way to Luxor, I think you should go a little further to see Dendera!! The Hathor Temple celestial chart (although it's a replica), the murals of Cleopatra VII, the stone statue of God Bes, the Dendera light bulbs 💡, which are called the out-of-place murals, and so on. It's fine if you do some research before you come, but you'll have a lot of fun! There weren't many tourists, so I was able to take my time looking around! I really recommend this place!! ! ! ! However, it's quite large and maze-like, so it's better to have plenty of time to find the sights you've researched! No matter how much I looked, I couldn't find the famous light bulb mural, so I paid a tip to an old man to tell me about it 😂 But it was worth the money, as he showed me around (In some places, they beg you for help even though they're not doing much...) #besttrip2023 #Dendera