Karnak

Welcome to Karnak, arguably the most magnificent religious sanctuary of the ancient world. Located in Luxor, about 400 miles south of Cairo, this sprawling complex covers over 200 acres, of which 64 are still standing and…

Our journey begins at the ancient docking area, or the Marina. In Pharaonic times, the Nile would have flowed right up to this stone quay, which was rebuilt during the reign of Seti II in the 19th Dynasty. …

As we pass through the massive First Pylon, which stands an impressive 40 meters high, we enter the Great Court, the largest single area in the temple complex. This pylon was one of the last structures built here, dating to the…

Prepare yourself as we enter what many consider the single most impressive architectural feat of the ancient world: the Great Hypostyle Hall. Covering over 5,000 square meters, this vast hall contains 134 colossal columns…

Continuing deeper into the complex, we encounter the soaring obelisks of Thutmose I and Queen Hatshepsut. These monolithic pillars were quarried from a single piece of rose granite in Aswan, hundreds of miles to the south, and…

We now reach the most sacred spot in all of Egypt: the Sanctuary of the Sacred Bark, or the Holy of Holies. This small, dark chamber at the very heart of the complex was where the gold-plated statue of the god Amun-Ra resided. …

Leaving the central axis, we head toward the rear of the complex to visit the 'Botanical Garden' of Thutmose III. This unique room is part of the Pharaoh’s festival hall and contains some of the most fascinating carvings in…

Our final stop is the Sacred Lake, a massive rectangular pool that was essential to the daily life of the temple. The water for the lake comes from the Nile through underground channels, and its level rises and falls with the…

As you make your way back toward the exit, take one last look at the forest of columns and the soaring obelisks of Karnak. You have walked through 1,500 years of human history, a journey that has taken you from the dawn of the…