- DurationApprox. 10–11 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise
- PriceFrom $75 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This Dendera and Abydos tour from Luxor visits two of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, both well north of the city and far quieter than Karnak or the Valley of the Kings. With a private driver and Egyptologist, you drive through the Nile Valley to Abydos, the holy city of Osiris, then stop at Dendera on the way back.
At Abydos, the Temple of Seti I has delicate painted reliefs that many Egyptologists rank as the finest of the New Kingdom, plus the famous King List and the mysterious Osireion behind it. At Dendera, the Temple of Hathor is almost complete, with brilliantly restored blue ceilings, crypts and a rooftop chapel. Lunch is included at a local restaurant between the two visits.
Highlights
- Temple of Seti I at Abydos, with some of Egypt’s finest reliefs
- The Abydos King List of 76 pharaohs
- Temple of Hathor at Dendera, with its painted blue ceilings
- The Dendera zodiac chapel and temple roof
- Private Egyptologist, lunch and entrance fees included
- Quiet temples away from the main Luxor crowds
Itinerary
07:00 – Pickup in Luxor
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel or cruise boat for the drive north to Abydos, about three hours through farmland and small towns. There is a coffee stop on the way, and your guide introduces the myth of Osiris, whose head was said to be buried at Abydos.
10:00 – Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Spend around two hours at Abydos. Inside the Temple of Seti I, see seven chapels for different gods, carved reliefs that still hold their original colour, and the King List, where Seti and his young son Ramesses II honour 76 earlier kings. Behind the temple lies the Osireion, a strange, partly flooded stone structure.
12:30 – Lunch
Stop for a traditional Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant, with grilled meat or chicken, rice, vegetables, salads and bread. Vegetarian options are always available, and it is a welcome rest before the second temple.
Meals: Lunch
14:00 – Temple of Hathor, Dendera
Drive about 90 minutes south to Dendera. The Temple of Hathor, goddess of love and music, is one of the best preserved in Egypt. Admire the Hathor-headed columns and the restored ceilings, explore a narrow underground crypt, and climb the stairs to the roof chapels, where a copy of the Dendera zodiac remains in place.
16:00 – Return to Luxor
Leave Dendera for the drive back to Luxor, about one and a half hours, arriving at your hotel or boat around 17:30. Your guide is happy to suggest a good dinner spot or plan the rest of your stay.
Good to know: Abydos is about 170 km north of Luxor, so this is a long day with roughly five to six hours of driving in total. Checkpoints on the route are routine.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Private Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees: Temple of Seti I at Abydos and Dendera Temple
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Extra drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $222 |
| 2 travellers | $135 |
| 3–5 travellers | $99 |
| 6+ travellers | $75 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive to Dendera and Abydos?
Luxor to Abydos takes about three hours, Abydos to Dendera about 90 minutes, and Dendera back to Luxor about 90 minutes. The total day is 10 to 11 hours, with around four hours spent at the temples and lunch.
Can I visit only Dendera?
Yes. Dendera alone makes an easy half-day trip from Luxor, about 90 minutes each way. We can quote it on request, or combine it with a boat ride or a visit to the Luxor Museum on the same day.
What is special about the Abydos King List?
It is a carved list in the Temple of Seti I naming 76 kings from Menes, the first pharaoh, to Seti himself. It is one of the main sources Egyptologists used to rebuild the order of the kings, although Seti left out rulers he disliked, such as Hatshepsut and Akhenaten.
Is there much walking or climbing?
Walking is moderate on level ground. At Dendera, the crypt is reached by a narrow passage and the roof by a long, gentle staircase; both are optional. Because the tour is private, your guide adjusts the pace to suit you.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
