5-Hour Private Dendera Temple Tour from Luxor with Egyptologist

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Visit the Dendera Temple Complex, one of the best-preserved temple sites in Egypt
• 02 Explore the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess Hathor
• 03 Learn how the temple evolved from the Middle Kingdom through the Roman period
• 04 See a monument largely built during the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII

Enjoy a cultural excursion from Luxor to the Dendera Temple Complex, home to the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the temple was largely constructed during the late Ptolemaic period, specifically during the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII, with later additions from the Roman era. This tour offers the chance to explore an important ancient site and learn about its remarkable history and architecture.

Enjoy a cultural excursion from Luxor to the Dendera Temple Complex, home to the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Luxor, Dendera

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Morning Tour to Dendera Temple from Luxor

• Proceed from Luxor in the morning to enjoy your tour to visit Dendera Temple, which is dedicated to the wife of the God Horus.
• The temple has been modified on the same site starting as far back as the Middle Kingdom and continuing right up until the time of the Roman emperor Trajan. The existing structure was built no later than the late Ptolemaic period. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor, is one of the best-preserved temples in the whole of Egypt.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All transfers throughout the tour by A/C limousine
• All entrance fees to the sightseeing
• Tour guide service, escorted by an Egyptian tour guide qualified in Egyptology

What's Not Included

• Any extra tours

Know before you go

• Day Tour to Dendara from Luxor: Leave Luxor in the morning to enjoy your tour and visit Dendera Temple, which is dedicated to the wife of the god Horus.
• The Temple of Hathor was largely constructed during the late Ptolemaic period, specifically during the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII. Later additions were made during the Roman period. Although built by a dynasty of rulers who were not native Egyptians themselves, the design of this temple has been found to be in accordance with that of other classical Egyptian temples, with the exception of the front of the hypostyle hall, which, according to an inscription above the entrance, was constructed by Emperor Tiberius.
• Apart from these, there are also scenes in the temple complex portraying the Ptolemaic rulers. For example, carved onto the external face of one of the temple walls is a huge relief of Cleopatra VII and her son by Julius Caesar and co-ruler, Ptolemy XV (better known as Caesarion). The two Ptolemaic rulers are shown dressed in Egyptian garb and offering sacrifices.
• Hathor was also regarded as a goddess of healing, and this is evident in the presence of a sanatorium in the temple complex. Here, pilgrims would come to be cured by the goddess. Sacred water, which was made holy by having it poured onto statues inscribed with sacred texts, was used for bathing, unguents were dispensed by the priests of Hathor, and sleeping quarters were provided for those hoping that the goddess would appear in their dreams and aid them.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Egypt

Tour start

Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.