The Temple of Luxor is at the heart of Thebes, stretching north to south along the eastern riverbank. Originally built by Amenophis III, the external walls of the great temple are inscribed with amazing stories of Ramsis II's victorious military campaigns, while its interior consists of six main sections with walls featuring details of the lives of the Pharaohs and Ancient Egyptian civilization.

The Great Pylon is the main access area to the temple with two 46ft-high colossi statues of Ramsis II greeting visitors. Also, towering outside is one of two pink granite obelisks. The only entrance is at the north of the temple leading southward to the Great Court of Ramsis II. This open-air court has numerous detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions.

From the main entrance of the Luxor Temple, an Avenue of Sphinxes once led a 1 mile path north directly to the Temples of Karnak. Unfortunately, today only a few sphinxes from the parallel line up exist. Due to its close proximity, the best way to visit the Karnak Temples is on foot, horseback or camel. Along the riverside, the scenic view adds to imagination, intrigue and amazement as visitors begin to form a picture of how the ancients once lived.

The land of the dead is very much a cultivated land, which not only houses the eternal royals but is home to wildlife, trees, flowers, plants and crops, including sugarcane. The main attractions in the area include the Valley of the Kings, Tomb of Tutankhamen, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir el Bahari, Tombs of the Nobles, Ramessuem, Deir El Medina, Valley of the Queens, Madinet Habu and Colossi of Memnon.

Resting in rock tombs in the Valley of the Kings are rulers who governed in the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. The Royal Necropolis is set around a steep mountain from which a breathtaking panoramic view of Thebes' east and west banks can be appreciated. The valley consists of over 64 graves, however only a quarter of these may be entered.

Recommended sites to explore in the valley are the Tomb of Seti, Tomb of Amenophis II, and probably the most famous of all, the Tomb of Tutankhamen. Oblivious to successive kings, Tutankhamen was never mentioned in writings. His legend may have remained buried if it was not for Howard Carter who accidentally discovered evidence of his existence in 1922. Now, Tutankhamoun is without a doubt, the most prominent of Ancient Egyptian kings.

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