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The
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is located on the west bank
of the Nile at Luxor. Here is a suggested way to plan
your visit to the Temple.
Day One - Reserve the
morning for the tour of Temple. Don't skimp on time. Take
your Penguin Guide and start on the lowest level
and see all the reliefs. Be sure and work your way all
the way up to the top. We missed alot of it because of
time. A guide who knows the site would be well worth the
money.
Ignore the souvenir sellers on the
way in, but do stop and look at what they have to offer
on the way out. I bought a soapstone carved Ibis with
metal feet and head that I still enjoy. Your friends will
hate you if you don't bring them back something as well.
But remember, haggle, haggle, haggle, it's part of the
game.
Spend the afternoon at your hotel
if you are traveling in the summer season. If is cooler,
see if you can get one of the guards at the site to open
up Senenmut's tomb. Ask nicely and offer a gratuity for a
personal tour, you should be able to arrange it.
Day Two - Pay the
entrance fee again and see Senenmut's Tomb if you missed
it because of the heat the day before.
Have a look at the area surrounding
the Temple and walk up into the hills if it is allowed.
Security may be tightened lately and you may not be able
to arrange this. However, if you discuss it with your
guide/driver on the first day, it is possible you can
experience the breathtaking view from the cliffs above.
Don't forget to stop at the Clossi
of Memnon and to visit the local Alabaster factory.
Other nearby sites are Ramesseum,
Medinet Habu, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens,
and Tombs of the Nobles. Luxor, East Bank, holds the
splendors of Karnak and the Luxor Museum. Check the
calendar to see which sites will be featured here.
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