S U M M E R I S S U E 2 9
held to ensure a bountiful harvest. Here,
you can explore the Avenue of Sphinxes—a
famous royal path connecting Luxor to
Karnak, lined with majestic ram-headed
statues.
GASTRONOMY
Plotted along the banks of the Nile, Luxor's
vibrant market scene is a good place to
immerse yourself in Egyptian cuisine, which
features delicacies such as rice-stuffed
vegetables, grape leaves and falafel made
from chickpeas. Heartier options include
kebabs with grilled chicken or turkey and
kofta—ground beef and lamb blended with
onions, garlic and spices like cardamom and
nutmeg. Shawarma is another delicious street
food consisting of heavily marinated chicken
or beef with vegetables. Luxor Market, also
known as "El Souk," located just a short walk
from Luxor Temple, stretches along several
streets and alleyways, creating a labyrinth of
lively shops and stalls. Here, the smell of fresh
produce and aromatic spices mingle with
the sounds of animated bartering between
vendors and locals.
SHOPPING
The Luxor Market is a great place to shop for
leather goods, ceramics and textiles, while
Habiba Gallery is a peaceful little shopping
oasis that's just a stone's throw away. This
charming store sells beautifully made
handicrafts from around Egypt at fixed prices.
If you have time between temple-hopping,
be sure to spend an hour browsing the
beautiful souvenirs in Caravanserai, an
authentic craft shop offering a curated
collection of the finest handmade items from
local skilled artisans.
EXPLORE LUXOR THE VIKING WAY
Viking offers an included excursion to
Egypt's most renowned royal tombs.
VALLEY OF THE KINGS,
HATSHEPSUT & SETI I TOMB
Discover the complex structures and
intricate carvings that decorate some
of Egypt's most renowned tombs.
Travel to the Nile's west bank in Luxor,
known as the Valley of the Kings.
Here, pharaohs' bodies were draped
in gold and jewels and buried
in elaborate tunnels decorated
with intricate paintings.
In 1922, Howard Carter discovered
Tutankhamen's relatively untouched
tomb in this valley, bringing the world's
attention to this royal necropolis.
Later, visit Seti I's tomb to see its well-
preserved reliefs and vaulted ceilings
that are inscribed with the story of the
Egyptian Sun God, Ra.
After, explore a selection of tombs on
your own before driving to the Mortuary
Temple of Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh,
whose tomb is carved into the Theban Hills.
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DESTINATION
GUIDE
Learn more about Egypt and
river voyages through the
Nile in our destination guide.
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Tutankhamun Tomb Chamber, Luxor
Falafel Ram Sphinxes
