Dendera & Abydos temples north of Luxor: Private tour with guide

Two of Egypt's greatest temples in a single afternoon, 60 kilometers north of Luxor

A private half-day tour from Luxor to the temples of Dendera and Abydos, located north in the Qena region, with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup included. The Temple of Dendera, one of the best-preserved Ptolemaic temples, was dedicated to Hathor and contains engravings of celestial bodies and constellations still used today, plus an exact copy of the original zodiac. The Temple of Abydos was built by King Seti I and completed by his son King Ramses II. The journey covers about 60 kilometers and takes 5 to 6 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Dendera Temple north of Luxor

• Travel north from Luxor to Qena
• Visit the Temple of Dendera

The experience

You start from your Luxor hotel and travel north by private car to the city of Qena, where the Temple of Dendera sits 60 kilometers away. The temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and was built during the Ptolemaic period, dedicated to the worship of Hathor, the goddess of music and beauty. What sets Dendera apart is its astronomical detail: the temple walls carry engravings of celestial bodies and constellations that match the star maps we still use today. The temple also holds an exact copy of the original zodiac, a piece of ancient knowledge that French archaeologists removed centuries ago.

Your guide walks you through both temples, explaining the historical significance of each. The Temple of Abydos, built by King Seti I and finished by his son Ramses II, represents a different era of construction and design. The contrast between the two sites (one Ptolemaic, one from the New Kingdom) shows how Egyptian temple architecture evolved across centuries. The tour is paced for all fitness levels, so you move at a comfortable speed through the sites.

Private transportation means you travel at your own schedule, with pickup from your hotel included. The driver waits while you explore, and you can spend as much time as you need at each temple. Lunch is available during the tour if you want to eat, though it is not included in the price. Children from age 7 are welcome on this tour.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Information

Lasts 5h–6h, runs every day, 7 start times, from US$ 120 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: 06:00, 06:30, 07:00, 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 26 pickup points.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (21 to 60 years) · Child (7 to 14 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Travel The Nile

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you prefer a dedicated guide and vehicle for both temples, letting you linger longer at whichever site interests you most.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 14 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

How far north of Luxor are the temples of Dendera and Abydos?

The Temple of Dendera is located 60 kilometers north of Luxor, near the city of Qena, and about 5 kilometers from Qena itself. The Temple of Abydos is in the same region north of Luxor.

What makes the Temple of Dendera different from other Egyptian temples?

The Temple of Dendera is a Ptolemaic temple known for its exceptional preservation and its detailed engravings of celestial bodies and constellations that ancient astronomers used. It also contains an exact copy of the original zodiac, making it unique among temples for its astronomical knowledge.

Who built the Temple of Abydos and when?

The Temple of Abydos was built by King Seti I during the New Kingdom period, and his son King Ramses II completed the construction.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you can arrange to eat at a restaurant during the tour if you want to.

What is included in the private tour price?

The tour includes private transportation from your hotel, an English-speaking guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Entry tickets to the temples are not included.