1. Port Overview

  1. Karnak, Egypt

  3. The Karnak temple complex, universally known only as Karnak, describes a vast conglomeration of ruined temples, chapels, pylons and other buildings. It is located near Luxor in Egypt.

    The complex is a vast open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. It consists of four main parts (precincts), of which only the largest, the Precinct of Amun-Re, is open to the general public. The three other parts, the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut and the dismantled Temple of Amenhotep IV, are closed to the public.

    There also are a few smaller temples and sanctuaries located outside the enclosing walls of the four main parts, as well as several avenues of human and ram-headed sphinxes connecting the Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Amon-Re, and Luxor Temple.

    Things to see and do

    * Karnak temple complex
    * Precinct of Amun-Re
    * Luxor Temple.
    * Luxor city
    * Valley of the Kings

    Cruise Season – Oct - April
    Currency – Egyptian pound (LE) (EGP)
    Language – Arabic
    Land Area - 416 km2
    Population – 390,000 approx (Luxor)
    Electricity – 2 round pins European style
    Time – GMT plus two hours
    International Country Telephone Code – +20

    Port Location – The Safaga port provides access to Luxor. It is located 53 km (33 miles) south of Hurghada. Ferry services on the Nile offer transport to Karnak and the temple of Luxor on the east bank.

    Transport Links – Luxor International Airport is a destination for flights on several European and Middle Eastern routes, as well as the main southern hub for domestic flights within Egypt.
    Internal flights (duration approx. 1 hr) from Cairo to Luxor are maintained by Egyptair. Direct charters from Europe (London Gatwick, for example) are common in the winter high season. EgyptAir also arranges day trips from Cairo which is an easy way for those who can stand long days to cover the main attractions of Luxor. Taxis are in abundance everywhere for local transportation.

    For those unwilling to purchase an expensive plane ticket, who have more time in which to travel and / or who wish to see more of the country, train travel to Luxor is a great and amazingly inexpensive option.

    Buses leave regularly from behind the Luxor Temple, to most major cities. For connections to Aswan and Cairo, the train is recommended, but it is a good alternative to get to Sinai (via Hurghada--Sharm el Sheik, or over the Suez canal).

    There are boat trips from Cairo to Luxor and sometimes further up the Nile to Abu Simbel.