Top Things to do in Nile River Valley
Top Hotels in Nile River Valley
- 1. Kato Dool Nubian House
- 2. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
- 3. Movenpick Resort Aswan
- 4. Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Hotel
- 5. Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
- 6. Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
- 7. Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor
- 8. Nefertiti Hotel
- 9. Steigenberger Resort Achti
- 10. Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa - Kings Island, Luxor
10 Monuments & Statues in Nile River Valley That You Shouldn't Miss
The mighty Nile has been providing Egypt with water for millennia. Deserving of its reputation as the world's largest open-air museum, the Nile River Valley contains thousands of monuments at sites such as Luxor and Aswan. Don't miss the city of temples ar Karnak, the dozens of tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the massive rock temples of Abu Simbel or vast and powerful Luxor Temple. Visitors can float by these astounding sites on a felucca boat or cruise ship or catch a train from Cairo.
Restaurants in Nile River Valley
1. Botanical Garden of Thutmosis III
2. Tomb of Queen Nefertari
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 333 reviews
Reviewed By Busy_chap - Sydney, Australia
Simply the most beautiful place I have ever been. This tomb has been wonderfully conserved, so the wall paintings are bright and vivid. Its absolutely worth the price of the special ticket to see this wonderful tomb, and the extra trip around to the Valley of the Queens. Photography is strictly forbidden, although one guardian did try to solicit a tip for a sly photo, but it was really worth just focussing on the experience of this wonderful space. A must for any visit to Egypt.
3. Obelisk of Queen Hapshetsut,
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By WImom - Fond du Lac, United States
Would highly recommend this site! Parked in the parking lot but in order to board the included shuttle, you will need to walk through the "Valley of the Vendors." They are relentless in pursuing you, if you show an interest in their goods. There is no charge to take photos with your cell phone or regular cameras. Absolutely, there is no shade. Great to get a photo shot with the temple in the background before you investigate the interior. It is helpful to have a guide to explain things to you. Would recommend about 1.5 to 2 hours here. If you do or don't have a guide, it is helpful to read up on the temple before you arrive. It is an immense temple that rises amid the limestone cliffs, built about 1473-1485 BC.
4. Obelisk of Thutmoses I
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By lovetoootravel
These obelisks were chiseled out of one piece of granite then transported here from a quarry many many Km's away! They are smooth with carvings. Just incredible how the craftsman of the day using what we would call primitive tools could create such a structure.
5. Sound and Light Show - Abu Simbel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
The Sound and Light show at Abu Simbel will transport you to the time of the pharaohs. Enchanting you with melodious music, and bringing the ancient world to life around you, the show includes projections onto the temples showing how they once looked. The program is presented in a number of languages with the provision of ear pieces. It is an experience not to be missed, one that will make your visit to Abu Simbel the memory of a lifetime.
Reviewed By MarinKeith - Novato, United States
The sound and light show at the Abu Simbel temples is excellent. The 30-40 minute show is projected into the temples themselves and is both informative and entertaining. I highly recommend incorporating this experience into your visit!
6. Temple of Mut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By 97biancaw
I have been to Karnak many times & was excited to go visit the Precinct of Mut. Mut, like Sekhmet is generally depicted with the feline features, yet Sekhmet is generally standing (warrior like), Mut seated (mother aspect - you don't mess with the feline mother). There is only a small fraction of the statues that were originally there, yet you get a sense of the place. Each statue was to the ancient Egyptians a depiction of a different aspect of Mut, so each statue is a different degree of the neter (nature) of Mut. There is so much to see at Karnak, yet somewhere smaller like the Temple of Mut you can take the time to soak up the little details & ponder, if you are that way inclined!
7. Temple of Hatshepsut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Addicted-to-trips - Cairo, Egypt
Great spot for those who love history and architecture. A must-see place. Don't forget to wear comfy shoes, sunglasses and your sunblock.
8. Luxor Sound and Light Show
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 696 reviews
The Karnak Sound and Light Show highlights the dramatic history of ancient Thebes. The show narrates the achievements of some great Pharaohs, with poetic descriptions of the ancient treasures. As visitors walk through the complex, the pharaohs arise to tell the story of their interesting lives, as haunting music mysteriously flows through this ancient city. Ancient and poetic voices tell the visitors about the birth of Karnak temple and the heroic achievements of the pharaohs and the god Amun. It is an enchanting and supernatural experience to listen to sound effects and gaze at the magnificent ruins illuminated during the well-presented show.
Reviewed By DEK_29 - Brisbane, Australia
The sound and life show at Karnak temple an inspiring piece of theater that provides information into the building of Karnak temple and what brought about the dedication to the unseen god Amun. It was a clear winter's night which turned out to be the coldest night in Luxor's recorded history. The soundtrack and the visuals to the show were at times difficult to understand. We had to look around a lot to see what was being lit up. The best part of the show was at the end of the program when seated on the stands gazing across the sacred lake. I would suggest that anyone purchase the DVD of the show as it is very well done and has better colors than the actual show, plus it helps to figure out what you may have missed from the show.
9. Russia Egypt Friendship Memorial
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By DEK_29 - Brisbane, Australia
I have been to Egypt twice however my last visit in January 2020 was the first time that I was able to visit this memorial. Shaped as a Lotus flower, the monument features artwork on the inside walls that are easily identifiable as either ancient Egyptian or Soviet era. The differences in style create a interesting juxtaposition behind the engineering of the two eras. The artwork is in base relief and can be difficult to see at time however, by moving around until the play of light and shadows will open up the artwork to the viewers eyes. I found the memorial a very nice place with a good view of the Nile. It only takes a short while to visit but the effort is worth it.
10. Luxor Temple
A temple built for the ritual practices exercised at the most important Ancient Egyptian festival, The Festival of Opet.
Reviewed By WImom - Fond du Lac, United States
Luxor Temple is a must see in Luxor. It is best to go early in the morning as the crowds are less and the temperature is not so hot. Best to have a guide to explain things. Spent about 1.5 hours here which was the right amount of time. It is also recommended to view the temple at night from across the street when the temple lights are lit in the evening. Mostly built by the New Kingdom pharaohs Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BC) and Ramses II (1279-12-13 BC), it is an ancient monument surrounded by a modern town. Note that in ancient times there were two majestic obelisks standing in front of the temple. Only one remains today while the other is on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Be aware of scammers outside the temple in the area that pretend to work at one of the cruise ships. They pretend that they are doing an errand for the ship and ask if you want to walk along. Soon, you are riding with them on a horse-drawn carriage (which you are expected to pay later) as well as stopping by several vendors (spice, Papyrus) where they pressure you to buy. They are very smooth operators which can con even the most sophisticated traveler.
