Hatshepsut – Female Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt
Woman Egyptian Ruler who Built Monuments and Lived Like a King
Jun 24, 2009
Hatshepsut was a female Pharaoh in Egypt, famous for portraying herself as a man. She was one of the greatest builders in ancient Egypt - she erected temples, obelisks and commissioned statues and works of art.
Despite attempts by her step-son Thutmose III to eradicate the record of her rule after her death, there are plenty of fascinating artifacts to see in Egypt that have remained intact from the time of her rule.
Hatshepsut of Egypt – What to See
Hatshepsut's mummified remains lie in Cairo's Egyptian Museum after centuries of obscurity. The plaque at her display identifies her as 'Hatshepsut, the King Herself'.
- Displays in the museum also include ceramics, statues, artwork and inscriptions, as well as the mummy thought to be Hatshepsut's wet nurse.
- Reliefs on the walls of the red chapel at Karnak, which Hatshepsut had inscribed to record her triumphs.
- Deir el Bahri on the west bank of the Nile across from modern Luxor is the site of Hatshepsut's most spectacular architectural achievement, the mortuary temple. The temple is set against cliffs and has three tiers and linked terraces.
- Rows of sphinxes, with Hatshepsut's head on them, lining the lower level entry way of the mortuary temple.
- The 28 meter (approximately 90 foot) 320 tons obelisk of Hatshepsut at Karnak.
Queen Hatshepsut Tour Packages
Visiting Hatshepsut's temple can be arranged with the numerous tour companies that operate in Egypt. A budget tour package starts at around $350 per person and usually includes the services of a guide, hotel accommodation and a round trip from Cairo to Luxor by train.
Tours to visit these sites with an emphasis on luxury accommodation start at about $1,595 per person, flights not included.
Tours typically start in Cairo with a visit to the Cairo Egyptian Museum to view the antique pieces on display, then transfer to Luxor.
From Luxor's West Bank, Hatshepsut's temple is explored as well as the other the famous sights in the Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Kings, package tours usually allow for at least two days in Luxor.
Self-Guided Tours to Visit Hatshepsut's Temple in Luxor
It is possible to fly directly to Luxor or to arrange car rental in Cairo and make all one's own hotel and travel arrangements. Organizing a self-guided tour in this way means one does not have the time restraints one would on an organized tour, or have to tour in the heat of the day.
If arranging a self guided tour, be careful of taxi drivers who will often try to rip one off and 'guides' waiting for tourist-bait. Do as much research in advance as possible so as to fully benefit from all the sights.
Sources:
- Cairo Egyptian Museum
- Cairo to Luxor by Train
- Blufton Education, Article Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir El-Bahri, Egypt, Page 1 and 2, Mary Ann Sullivan
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