Day 4 – Monday, March 11: Morning Flight to Luxor, Luxor/Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Overnight in Luxor
Today started really early. With a wake-up at 3 a.m., and breakfast boxes waiting for us at 3:30, we loaded the bus and left our hotel at 3:45 en route for the Cairo Airport. We read from Genesis 46 (the story of Joseph & his brothers) on the way. Following the check-in procedures, we flew 480 miles south to Luxor, the highlight of Egyptian archaeology and history. We arrived at 7:30 a.m. and drove directly to the Karnak Temple. Today’s weather was once again sunny, with perfect high temps in Luxor about 80.
Temple of Karnak
We loaded the bus here in Luxor and drove directly to the Karnak Temple. Before entering the site, we enjoyed morning coffee and freshly-squeezed orange and mango juice before entering the site. This temple was first built around 2100 BC. Many Pharaohs are honored here, including Thutmose III (who had 17 military victorious campaigns and took Megiddo in Israel), Seti I, Ramses II (who reigned 67 years and lived until 91 years of age, 1303-2113 BC). We also saw the many pylons, the Hypostyle Hall (built by Seti I. It consists of 122 columns), the obelisk of Hatshepsut (the largest one), the relief of Shishak (see 1 Kings 14:25-28), and the Sacred Lake. We also had a chance to meet John’s friend, Terry Nichols, who is doing incredibly fascinating work on the wall reliefs of Merneptah. He and his team are digitalizing the hieroglyphics of the walls.
We left Karnak and drove back to our hotel. It is located on the gently-flowing water of the Nile River. We enjoyed an early check-in, lunch, and some rest time before going back out.
“Today was another incredible day. We flew to Luxor this morning, and then visited the Temples of Karnak (in the morning) and Luxor (in the evening). The history and culture of ancient Egypt is amazing!”
Day 4 – Monday, March 11: Morning Flight to Luxor, Luxor/Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Overnight in Luxor
Today started really early. With a wake-up at 3 a.m., and breakfast boxes waiting for us at 3:30, we loaded the bus and left our hotel at 3:45 en route for the Cairo Airport. We read from Genesis 46 (the story of Joseph & his brothers) on the way. Following the check-in procedures, we flew 480 miles south to Luxor, the highlight of Egyptian archaeology and history. We arrived at 7:30 a.m. and drove directly to the Karnak Temple. Today’s weather was once again sunny, with perfect high temps in Luxor about 80.
Temple of Luxor
At 5:30 we drove to a papyrus store to see how this ancient paper was made. We then continued to the Luxor Temple. This temple is primarily in honor of Ramses II. He was the great Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th century BC. To see this temple eliminated with lights at night was spectacular.
We drove back to our hotel for a later dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Tuesday, March 12: Valley of Kings, Temples of Medinet Habu & Hatshepsut, Felucca Boat Ride on Nile River, Flight to Cairo
