Queen of the Desert: A Sunrise Visit to Hatshepsut’s Temple

#summervacay
**Why Go Early?**
Beat the heat and crowds by arriving at **Deir el-Bahari** at dawn, when the rising sun turns the temple’s terraces gold and the desert breeze still carries the night’s coolness. This 3,500-year-old masterpiece looks like it was carved from the cliffs themselves!

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### **🌅 Your Perfect Morning Itinerary**

#### **5:30 AM - West Bank Adventure Begins**
- **Private Taxi from Luxor:** (~200 EGP roundtrip)
- **Pro Tip:** Stop at the **Colossi of Memnon** for quick photos in dawn light

#### **6:00 AM - Temple Exploration**
- **Secret Spot:** The **Punt Reliefs** (left colonnade) showing Hatshepsut’s legendary trading expedition with giraffes and gold
- **Kids’ Challenge:** Count the **Osiris statues** on the upper terrace (originally 200!)

#### **7:30 AM - Cool Retreat**
- **Café Stop:** Fresh sugarcane juice at the site entrance
- **Next Move:** Combine with **Valley of the Kings** (opens at 6 AM) before peak heat

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### **💰 Budget Breakdown**
- **Temple Entry:** 240 EGP (kids under 12 free)
- **Electric Cart:** 20 EGP (optional ride from parking lot)
- **Guidebook:** 150 EGP (or use free **"Clio Muse"** app)

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### **⚠️ Summer Survival Tips**
- **Cover Up:** The terraces get **10°C hotter** than ground level by 8 AM
- **Footwear:** Sturdy sandals—ramps are steep and sandy
- **Hidden History:** Look for **erased cartouches** where Thutmose III tried to delete Hatshepsut’s legacy

**Why Families Love This?**
✅ **Real-life "Mummy Returns" set** (filming location!)
✅ **Shaded lower colonnade** for quick breaks
✅ **Epic photo ops** with minimal tourists

**Tag your adventure #hatshepsutrises!** 👑🌄

*(Pair with **Tomb of Nefertari** (requires separate ticket) for a queenly double-feature!)*