Cultural, historical, adventure, and custom customized trips are just a few of the tours that Deluxe trips offer in Egypt and Jordan.
Located in the very center of Luxor, the Karnak Temple Complex is certainly among the most awe-inspiring monuments of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Spanning over 200 acres, Karnak is more than a single temple but a sprawling complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, and obelisks — all built over a period of 2,000 years. It is a witness to the spiritual fervor and engineering expertise of the ancient Egyptians.
If you’re exploring things to do in Luxor, Karnak Temple should be at the very top of your list.
One of the things that makes Karnak Temple so significant is that it was built and expanded upon by more than 30 pharaohs, each contributing their own temples, halls, and monuments. The most ancient buildings go back around 2000 BC, and the most recent additions were made during the Greco-Roman period.
The temple is particularly dedicated to Amun-Ra, the god of the sun and king of gods, but it is also dedicated to Mut (his wife) and Khonsu (his son), thus forming the sacred Theban Triad.
The most famous and breathtaking area of Karnak is the Great Hypostyle Hall. With a floor space of 5,000 square meters, the hall contains 134 colossal columns, some standing more than 21 meters high. The grandeur and balance of this hall make one gasp for breath.
Columns and walls are lavishly inscribed with hieroglyphs, ritual scenes of kingship, gifts to the gods, and triumphs celebrated in inscriptions.
Karnak Temple houses two of Egypt's most famous obelisk monuments. The tallest still-standing obelisk is Hatshepsut's, nearly 30 meters tall and carved from one piece of pink granite. It bears witness to the greatness of a queen who defied convention in order to become pharaoh.
Yet another fascinating feature is the Sacred Lake, a large basin utilized for purificatory rites. Nearby, ruins of storerooms, priestly dwellings, and an enormous scarab statue associated with prosperity exist—tourists simply walk around it in search of blessings.
Karnak Temple was also connected to Luxor Temple through a stunning Avenue of Sphinxes, which stretched over 2.5 kilometers. The majority of the sphinxes, whose heads are either ram or human, still form the old road. The road was used during religious rituals such as Opet, when the figurines of gods were moved between temples.
If you’re visiting Luxor, don’t miss walking part of this sacred avenue — a living connection between Karnak and Luxor temples.
The temple’s design wasn’t just architectural brilliance—it also had spiritual and astronomical precision. Certain structures in Karnak were aligned with the solstices and celestial events, reinforcing the belief that the gods were intimately involved in the natural order of the world.
Priests and astronomers used the temple as a place of worship and calendar, tracking time, festivals, and farm seasons.
Even centuries of study, Karnak Temple still continues to reveal new secrets. Archaeologists continue to dig often to uncover new chapels, statues, or inscriptions. Part of its underground tunnels and rooms still lie unmapped as a whole, providing this enormous complex with a mystique.
Archaeologists believe that buried deep within its enormous walls are other accounts of ancient Egypt kings, forgotten rituals, and even clues to unsolved mysteries in terms of ancient religion.
Karnak Temple is always open, but the ideal time to see it is between October and April, when the temperature is lower in Luxor. The best times to go are during early morning or late afternoon visits to see fewer crowds and enjoy the temple in enchanted light.
Bribe a guide or Egyptologist to interpret the symbolism.
Wear supportive shoes — the complex is enormous.
Watch the Karnak Sound and Light Show in the evenings for a trip back in time.
Dress in water, sunscreen, and a hat — the sun is powerful.
Learn more about The Valley of the Kings and its tombs in Luxor.
Explore more historical insights in Explore The Amazing Egypt Luxor City.
Check out our Luxor Day Tours for curated experiences in the city.
Discover now our answers to the most common questions that may come to your mind about tourism and trips to Egypt
Cultural, historical, adventure, and custom customized trips are just a few of the tours that Deluxe trips offer in Egypt and Jordan.
The Dead Sea, Petra in Jordan, the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor's historic temples, and many other famous sites can be expected to be explored with Deluxe Tours.
offer a hassle-free holiday, Deluxe Tours' packages generally include lodging, transport, meals, guided tours with experienced local experts, and entry fees to attractions.
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) offer the finest weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities, making those months the best times to visit Egypt and Jordan.
These two countries are close by, only a 1.5-hour flight apart, and when combined, offer a variety of distinctive experiences. We advise you to spend at least 12 days visiting both countries for a truly unforgettable experience
Combining the eclipse viewing with visits to historic sites like the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and a Nile River cruise are highly recommended.
