Abydos & Dendera

A Journey to Abydos & Dendera

This is not merely a tour.  It is a pilgrimage north, as Egyptians did for centuries, along the ancient river road, to two of Egypt’s most profound sanctuaries.  This is the first key, an invitation to step beyond the well-trodden path and into a deeper, more intimate encounter with Egypt’s soul.

For twenty years, the road to Abydos has been my own personal conduit to the heart of ancient Egypt.  It is a journey I have made countless times, and yet, each time, the anticipation feels new.  It’s in the morning air, still cool as we leave Luxor, in the way the first light catches the dust rising from the village roads, and in the quiet hum of the vehicle carrying us away from the familiar.

We embark early, around 7:30 am, because a journey of this significance deserves a full day.  The road north unfolds like a scroll, revealing a tapestry of rural life that has changed little over centuries—water buffalo ploughing rich, dark soil, feluccas drifting on the Nile’s curve, the gradual shift in the quality of light as we travel further from the city.

Why journey with us to these distant temples? The answer is simple: depth of connection.  I have visited Abydos (the burial place of the god, Osiris) and Dendera (the best preserved temple in Egypt) more times than I can remember over these past two decades.  This is not a claim, but a testament to a lasting fascination

While I no longer accompany all of the weekly or twice-weekly tours, my guides do, and they are better acquainted with these two sacred sites than most others.  We don’t just show you the monuments; we help you see what many first-time visitors miss completely.  We reveal the hidden details of the temples, and bring the stories etched in stone and shadow, to life.  My musings on the sacred sites come from two decades of quiet observation and deep respect and if you have them at the back of your mind when visiting, they add to the information the guides will give you.

The Day: A Practical Guide

The structure of our day is designed for immersion, not haste, though it must dance to the rhythm of local regulations.

• The Journey: We travel north first to Abydos, a drive of approximately three hours.  We provide a complimentary packed lunch for all Mara House guests, as there are no viable stopping points—this allows us to maximise our time within the magical/mystical and sacred spaces of the temples themselves.

• The Temples: We typically spend two hours within the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, a site of such power, so many facets to explore and mysteries it often leaves visitors in a state of quiet awe.  Afterwards, we return south to Dendera, where we spend another two hours beneath the breathtakingly preserved ceilings and within the crypts of the Temple of Hathor.

• The Return: To comply with security protocols for travel outside Luxor, we coordinate with official convoys and must ensure all guests are logged back within the city limits by 6:00 pm.  The day is full, rich, and deeply satisfying.

What is Included:

• Pickup and drop-off from Mara House, your hotel or cruise boat in Luxor.

• All transportation in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.

• The insightful companionship of my expert English-speaking guide.

• All entrance fees to the temples.

• A packed lunch for guests of Mara House.

To Bring With You:

• Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the vast stone courtyards and chambers.

• A sun hat, and a sense of open curiosity.

• Guests not staying at Mara House are advised to bring a packed lunch from their hotel.

A Note for the Deeply Curious

Many travelers make the journey to Egypt specifically for the Osireion and the Initiation Chamber at Abydos.  These are profoundly powerful sites that require special permission and incur a significant additional cost.  If your heart is set on accessing these sanctuaries, please consider joining one of my personal or small group tours.  It is the most meaningful way to share both the experience and the expense.

Answering the Call

The cost of this journey varies depending on whether you travel alone or are bringing family etc with you.  To receive a personal quote, please email me directly at maraegypt@gmail.com.  Simply let me know your preferred date range and the number of people in your party.  If you are travelling with children under 12, their ages are helpful too.

This journey is the perfect blend of splendor and mystery.  Dendera is a revelation, its colors vivid, its carvings crisp, feeling as if it has just stepped out of antiquity.  Abydos holds a deeper, more enigmatic power.  I return again and again because I always find something new—a forgotten symbol, a play of light, a whispered story in the stone.

This is the invitation. The first key. The road awaits.

The Seeker’s Path: TheSevenKeys – Abydos & Dendera

This article is part of a series.  Unlock the full story with all seven keys.

1. Key of Invitation: The Seeker’s Path
2. Key of Connection: How the Stones Found Me
3. Key of Devotion: Omm Sety – Dorothy Eady & Pharaoh Sety I
4. Key of Mystery: Return of the Djedi?
5. Key of Revelation: The Maker’s Hand – Unseen Genius at Abydos
6. Key of Ritual: Beyond the Cartouches – The Priests Who Kept the Heartbeat of Abydos
7. Key of Cosmos: The Celestial Secrets of Dendera Temple

If you are still in the planning stages and not sure what sites to visit – you will find many suggestions here