Above the entrance to Abydos Temple, a carved panel shows the famous “helicopter, submarine and fighter jet” glyphs — one of Egypt’s most intriguing mysteries and a reminder that Abydos is unlike any other site in the country.
There are places in Egypt that are not just monuments but mysteries carved in stone. Abydos and Dendera belong to that category. These temples lie north of Luxor, away from the mainstream of daily sightseeing, but for those who make the journey, they offer some of the most remarkable and best-preserved glimpses into the ancient world.
Why Visit Abydos & Dendera?
Abydos was one of the holiest cities in ancient Egypt. For thousands of years, pilgrims came here to honour Osiris, god of the afterlife, and to take part in rituals of death and rebirth. The Temple of Seti I, begun around 1300 BC, is famous for its exquisite reliefs—unusually deep, finely carved, and full of lifelike detail. You’ll also find the Abydos King List, an inscription that records the names of seventy-six pharaohs, an invaluable key for historians piecing together Egypt’s long dynastic past.
Yet Abydos also guards puzzles. Right inside the main door, way up high near the ceiling, visitors pause to wonder and conjecture about carvings that, to modern eyes, resemble a helicopter, a stealth fighter, and a submarine — sparking endless debate and conspiracy theories. Some scholars attribute them to overlapping hieroglyphs re-carved over time, but the intrigue continues to capture imaginations, and other experts debunk the theories that dismiss the authenticity of what our eyes clearly tell us. Nearby lies the Osireion, a mysterious underground structure of massive stone blocks that feels altogether different from anything else in Egypt — though entry requires special permission.
Dendera, dedicated to the goddess Hathor, offers a very different experience. Its grand façade is one of the best-preserved in Egypt, and stepping inside, you’ll look up to find painted ceilings still glowing with colour, zodiac constellations, and images of Nut, goddess of the sky. In its crypts and rooftop chapels, you can see reliefs that connect the temple to the rhythms of the heavens — from the cycle of the sun to the phases of the moon.
The Day’s Journey
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Departure: We leave Luxor around 7:30 am for the three-hour drive north to Abydos.
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Abydos Visit: Around two hours inside the Temple of Seti I, with time to explore its chapels, the King List, and the famous “helicopter glyphs.”
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Dendera Visit: After Abydos, we return south to Dendera, spending two hours under its painted ceilings and exploring chapels and crypts.
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Return: Travel back to Luxor in time to meet security protocols, usually by early evening.
A packed lunch is provided for Mara House guests (others should bring one from their hotel, as facilities en route are limited).
Abydos and Dendera Temples are included in my 3 night Luxor Package Deal
What’s Included
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Pickup and drop-off from Mara House, your hotel, or your cruise boat in Luxor
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Private, air-conditioned transport
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All entrance fees
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Packed lunch for Mara House guests
What to Bring
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Comfortable shoes
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Hat and sun protection
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Curiosity for both history and mystery
A Note on Special Access
The Osireion at Abydos, and certain chapels at Dendera, require additional permissions and costs. If these are on your personal wish-list, let me know — these deeper explorations are available on my small-group transformative-travel tours.
Practical Details
This is a full-day trip, rich in history and atmosphere. For cost and availability, please email me directly at maraegypt@gmail.com with your dates and the number in your party. If travelling with children under 12, let me know their ages so I can advise clearly on the cost.