Amarna, Beni Hassan, Dendera, and Abydos: Two Days Among Egypt's Hidden Temples and Tombs
From the Temple of Hathor to the rock tombs of Akhenaten's capital, a journey through Egypt's lesser-visited sacred sites
This 2-day tour to Amarna, Beni Hassan, Dendera, and Abydos takes travelers beyond the familiar landmarks of Cairo and Luxor, revealing ancient temples, royal tombs, and ceremonial cities that shaped the course of Egyptian civilization. Each site carries its own distinct history, architecture, and spiritual significance.
Dendera and Abydos represent two of the most intact and visually striking temple complexes in all of Egypt. Dendera's Temple of Hathor preserves vivid ceiling paintings, astronomical carvings including the famous Dendera Zodiac, and the mysterious Serdab corridor. Abydos, one of Egypt's oldest cities, served as the principal center of Osiris worship and houses the elaborate Temple of Seti I with its celebrated Abydos King List.
The second day brings travelers to Middle Egypt, to the cliffs of Beni Hassan and the plains of Tell El Amarna. Beni Hassan contains 39 rock-cut tombs belonging to regional governors and officials, decorated with detailed scenes of daily life and athletic activities. Amarna, founded by the reforming pharaoh Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti, stands as one of antiquity's most ambitious and short-lived urban experiments.
This itinerary is rated easy in terms of physical difficulty, making it accessible to a broad range of travelers. Overnight accommodation at a 4-star hotel is included, providing comfort between the two intensive days of exploration.
Tour Highlights
Explore the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, one of Egypt's best-preserved temple complexes, featuring the celebrated Dendera Zodiac ceiling carving and the enigmatic Dendera Light corridor.
Visit the Temple of Seti I and Temple of Ramses II at Abydos, adorned with the Abydos King List and intricate reliefs depicting Isis, Osiris, and Horus.
Discover 39 rock-cut tombs at Beni Hassan, carved into limestone cliffs above the Nile and filled with scenes of wrestling, hunting, and daily provincial life.
Walk the ruins of Tell El Amarna, the revolutionary capital founded by Akhenaten in dedication to the solar deity Aten, abandoned within two decades of its construction.
Observe the unusual carvings at Abydos that some researchers interpret as depicting unfamiliar objects, adding an extra layer of curiosity to an already remarkable site.
Overnight stay at a 4-star hotel with dinner included, providing a comfortable base between two full days of archaeological exploration in Upper and Middle Egypt.
Travel the scenic route between the Eastern Desert mountains and the Nile Valley, with opportunities to appreciate Egypt's dramatic natural landscape along the way.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Depart from your Hurghada hotel and travel along the route between the Eastern Desert mountains and the Red Sea. Upon arrival in Dendera, explore the Temple of Hathor, examining its decorated columns, astronomical ceiling carvings, the Dendera Zodiac, and the Serdab corridor with its intriguing relief carvings.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Abydos, one of ancient Egypt's most sacred cities. Visit the Temple of Seti I and the Temple of Ramses II, studying the Abydos King List, detailed mythological reliefs depicting Isis, Osiris, and Horus, and the site's unusual vehicle-like carvings.
Check into a 4-star hotel for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the second day's journey into Middle Egypt and the sites associated with the Amarna Period.
After breakfast, travel to El Minya and the Beni Hassan necropolis. Explore the rock-cut tombs carved into limestone cliffs, which belonged to local governors and officials during the Middle Kingdom period and feature detailed painted scenes of daily and ceremonial life.
Following lunch, visit Tell El Amarna, the ancient capital established by Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti during Egypt's brief monotheistic period. Explore the rock tombs at Amarna, which document life under the Aten religion and the radical cultural changes of this distinctive era.
Depart from Amarna and travel back to Hurghada, arriving in the evening. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel, completing a two-day circuit through some of Egypt's most historically significant and undervisited sites.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers
- Licensed Egyptologist guide throughout the tour
- Entrance fees to Dendera Temple
- Entrance fees to Abydos Temples
- Entrance fees to Beni Hassan rock tombs
- Entrance fees to Tell El Amarna
- Lunch on both days at local restaurants
- Overnight stay at a 4-star hotel
- Dinner on Day 1 at the hotel
- Breakfast on Day 2 at the hotel
- Bottled water during transfers
Not Included
- International or domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending and souvenirs
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Additional meals and beverages beyond those listed
- Photography permits inside tombs where applicable
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Secure your spot on this two-day journey through Dendera, Abydos, Beni Hassan, and Amarna and experience ancient Egypt beyond the standard tourist trail. Availability is limited on each departure date.
Book Now
