Half Day Tour Luxor to Esna: Khnum Temple and CaravanSerai

The Esna Temple is a well-preserved jewel and an example of Ptolemaic architecture. Only the pronaos (portico), dedicated to Khnum (God of the source of the Nile and creator of the human bodies) and his wife Menhit (Lioness Goddess of war and massacres), has been excavated; the rest of the temple rests underneath the city of Esna. 24 magnificent columns hold the temple ceiling with exceptionally well-carved palm and lotus floral capitals. The ceiling itself is adorned with the Ancient Egyptian interpretation of the constellations, moon phases and astronomical figures. A special feature: there is an ongoing restoration and cleaning project of the temple and it is wonderful to see the professionals at work during your visit.

The recently restored Wakalat al-Geddawi is a two-storey building that used to function as a caravanserai during the 18th century. The Inn housed merchants, their camels and goods after a long desert journey. It served as a center for trade and storage in the midst of the 2000-year old Qīsāriyya Market of Esna.

During the ride from Luxor to Esna and back, you will pass picturesque villages along the shores of the Nile and the famous Esna Lock.