Attraction
Karnak Temple Complex
The vast temple complex of Amun-Re on Luxor's East Bank, built and rebuilt by around thirty pharaohs and famous for its forest-like Great Hypostyle Hall.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Queen Hatshepsut's terraced mortuary temple, set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari on the West Bank and decorated with reliefs of an expedition to Punt.
At a glance
- Type
- Mortuary temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Area
- Deir el-Bahari, West Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Good to know
- Terraced site
- Ramps between terraces
- Limited shade
Why we recommend it
Few buildings in Egypt use their setting as well as the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut. Its three broad terraces rise one above another against the sheer limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, directly across the Nile from Karnak, and from a distance the clean lines look almost modern. The ancient name was Djeser-Djeseru, usually translated as Holy of Holies. Who designed it is not certain: Senenmut, Hatshepsut's overseer of works, or Hapuseneb, her high priest, may have been responsible, and the queen herself probably had a say.
Hatshepsut was one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and the temple was built to honour her and the god Amun. A causeway led up from a valley temple near the river, and today you approach along the same axis, climbing ramps from one terrace to the next. On the middle terrace, the south-west portico shows the famous expedition to the Land of Punt, with ships, incense trees and exotic animals. The same terrace holds a shrine to Hathor at its south end and a shrine to Anubis at its north end, where some of the best-preserved colour survives.
As you look closely you will notice gaps where the queen's name and image have been cut away. After her death, Thutmose III had many of her monuments defaced, and later Akhenaten's agents erased images of other gods. A Polish archaeological mission from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology has been working on consolidation and restoration here since 1961, and their careful reconstruction is what makes the upper terrace so complete today.
Allow around an hour and a half. The site faces east and the cliffs trap the heat, so the first hours after opening are the most comfortable. There are ramps rather than steep stairs, but the distances are long and the ground is exposed, so bring water and sun protection. The temple appeals to most visitors, including families and those without a deep interest in Egyptology, simply for its architecture and setting.
The temple is on the West Bank, just over the mountain ridge from the Valley of the Kings, and many tours combine the two in a single morning. Hot air balloons that launch at sunrise on the West Bank often drift over this area, giving a view of the terraces from above.
Temple of Hatshepsut FAQs
Where is the Temple of Hatshepsut?
It is at Deir el-Bahari on Luxor's West Bank, set against the cliffs opposite Karnak.
What does Djeser-Djeseru mean?
It is the temple's ancient name and is usually translated as Holy of Holies.
What should I look for?
The reliefs of the expedition to Punt and the shrines of Hathor and Anubis on the middle terrace.
Why are some images missing?
After Hatshepsut's death Thutmose III had many of her names and images removed, and Akhenaten later erased images of other gods.
Who restored the temple?
The Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology has carried out consolidation and restoration since 1961.
How long does a visit take?
Around an hour and a half is enough for most visitors.
Can I combine it with the Valley of the Kings?
Yes. The two sites are on either side of the same ridge and are often visited in one morning.