Egypt has been attracting visitors for thousands of years, and with good reason since its ancient attractions rarely disappoint. But Egypt is quite an overwhelming place to visit and it’s not just the hustle and bustle of the place, but also the sheer heat. The tombs and temples of Luxor are truly fascinating, but facts about King Tut and Queen Hatshepsut will go in one ear and out the other, if your sneakers are literally melting off your feet. So in order to make the most of a trip to Egypt’s temples and tombs, we’ve got a few tips for you…

Surviving Egypt’s Tombs

• Visit in October through May so you won’t feel thoroughly cooked in less than 20 minutes.
• Bring lots of water and make sure the bottle has a new seal.
• Wear sunglasses since the glare is significant when you come out of a tomb.
• Slather on the sunscreen
• Wear a hat, floppy is better than a baseball cap to cover your ears
• Bring a flashlight since not all tombs are very well lit and you may need some extra light to see details.
• Pace yourself to three tombs or so per a day especially if you are not very fit. There’s quite a lot of walking and climbing of steps involved when you’re visiting these ancient sites.
• Beware if you are claustrophobic, it is hot and narrow in many of the tombs.
• Be prepared to pay extra to go into some of the more important tombs and also to take photos/video.
• Read up on what you’ll be seeing before you go

Cooling Off
We’ve also discovered the importance of a good hotel with a pool, close to the main attraction. In Luxor, our favorite place to stay is the Al Moudira. It’s a wonderful boutique hotel situated on Luxor’s West Bank (where the Valleys of the Kings and Queens are located). The hotel is decorated with Egyptian artifacts from souks, antique shops, bazaars, galleries and handicrafts by local artisans. The 54 rooms are spacious and grouped into units of four that open onto private courtyards, fountains and shaded lounging areas. The secluded swimming pool is just the perfect place to cool off and relax.

Interested in booking a trip to Egypt with us?
We can customize any trip, or you can try our Essential Egypt tour. If you’d like to cruise the Nile as part of your vacation, check out our Nile Valley Adventure.