Abydos
The Most Sacred Site In Egypt
Overview
Egypt Becomes the First Nation State
Around 3100 BCE, Egypt emerged as the world’s first nation state with the unification of upper and lower Egypt. The pharaoh whose name was mostly accredited with this was Namer and he became the ruler of Egypt’s First Dynasty. Ultimately between 3100 and 332 BCE ancient Egypt was ruled by 31 pharaonic dynasties and had 170 pharaohs, the last being Cleopatra V11.
Historians have grouped the dynasties into three main periods: the Old, the Middle and the New Kingdom. The dynasties reflect the political changes in Egypt, from the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt to other nations conquests of Egypt.
Unification and the Emergence of Abydos
Within a unified Egypt, Abydos a village near present day Luxor, became the most significant and important religious site in ancient Egypt. Abydos remained it pre-eminence as a religious site for nearly 3,000 years i.e. from around 3100 BC until the late Roman period until 395 AD.
History Before Our Eyes
Abydos is the site of many ancient temples, and a royal necropolis (city of the dead) called Umm el-Qa’ab. Some Egyptologists have referred to the necropolis as the first Valley of the Kings. Tombs and temples of rulers of the predynastic period have been found at Umm El Qa’ab including the tomb of Narmer. Predynastic Egypt was the period of time starting at the first human settlement and ending at the First Dynasty of Egypt around 3100 BC.
What Happened at Abydos Shaped Egyptian History
Abydos blends themes of faith, historical events and more recently, archaeological discoveries into a compelling narrative about Egypt’s religious and cultural evolution.
The Pre-Dynastic and the First Dynasty of Egypt, helped spawn a nation over the next 3000 years that believed that pharaohs were the earthly incarnation of the Gods. And that the Egyptian people’s devotion to the pharaohs would help the pharaoh transcend to the afterlife. In this way the pharaohs could keep them safe.
For somebody wanting to know the origins of what they see and experience on their Egyptian experience, there is no better place to begin than at Abydos.
You Feel the Aura of Abydos
As you wander through the ancient and sacred site of Abydos you will feel what is referred to in a blog ‘Not So Innocence Abroad’ as “the serene spirituality of Abydos Temple”. The site imbues you a time when the link between the here and now and a life beyond mortality existed in tandem.
The aura of Abydos is that your journey enables you to immerse yourself in the cultural and religious legacies left by the ancient Egyptians. It is before you in the beauty of the temples, shrines, wall reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions. These exude the ‘serene spirituality’ of Abydos and the narrative of your guide is compelling.
Research and Excavations
Research and excavations have been undertaken over the last 100 years, and they continue to reveal new insights into ancient Egypt. The activity that is going on in and around Abydos is a testament to what it has revealed and continues to reveal about the complex belief system that united a nation for over 3000 years.
Gallery
Ancient Egyptian Research Association
One Horizon Africa is a member of AERA. AERA brings together archaeologists and specialists from around the world to address questions regarding the origin, nature, and development of the Egyptian state. By becoming a member of AERA you support the training of young Egyptian archaeologists and the survey, mapping, excavation, and the analysis of archaeological sites. We encourage everyone to become a member and support the work of AERA.
Itinerary
Meet and greet at Cairo Airport
Our representative will be on hand to facilitate your transit through Customs and Immigration.
Transfers and Free Time
Our representative will travel with you from the airport to your hotel to ensure a smooth transition and booking in process. Time to rest up in preparation for the start of your trip.
Depending on your arrival time in Cairo you could opt for an excursion to the Pyramids of Giza. Please enquire with us for further details.
Dinner Cruise on the Nile
After relaxing at the hotel, you will be picked up for your evening dinner cruise on the Nile. A night to be savoured and remembered forever. You can enjoy a wide menu of foods – an authentic Egyptian dinner. And the entertainment highlight of the night is traditional dancing and other entertainment. Even the audience members get involved. At the end of the evening, you are transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight – 1 night at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel.
Dinner included
Today You Fly to Luxor
Breakfast at the hotel – transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. You will visit:
The Great Temples of Karnak and Luxor. Karnak is an ancient Egyptian temple precinct located on the east bank of the Nile River in Thebes (modern-day Luxor). It covers more than 100 hectares, and is an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the pharaohs.
The Valley of the Kings: The Valley is where rock-cut tombs were excavated for pharaohs in the New Kingdom.
The Valley of the Workers: This is an ancient workmen’s village which was home to the artisans who worked on the tombs.
The Temple of Hatshepsut Queen Hatshepsut’s temple was built to tell Hatshepsut’s life story and to assert her power.
Overnight – The first of 2 nights at the Hilton Luxor Resort (5 Star)
Dinner at own expense
Today We Go to Abydos
In the morning and after breakfast we will travel by road to Abydos.
The Burial Place of Osiris
Abydos was considered the most important religious site in ancient Egyptian. This belief was fostered by:
- Abydos as the supposed burial place of Osiris, the god of the dead and the afterlife, which made it a major center for the worship of this deity.
- Pilgrims would travel from far to partake in the annual festival dedicated to Osiris, seeking spiritual salvation and connection with the afterlife.
Osiris Cult and Annual Festival
- The annual festival dedicated to Osiris began during the Middle Kingdom and Osiris’s temple became a site of pilgrimage.
- The festival was held between July and September, coinciding with the annual inundation of the Nile.
- Priests associated with Osiris’ cult would carry an image of the god out from his temple, along the processional valley, and bury the image at Umm el-Qa’ab.
- After burying the image, it would be ritualistically regenerated and returned to the temple along the same processional route.
- The processional route between Umm el-Qa’ab and the Osiris temple played an integral role during the festival as his myth was ceremonially re-enacted along the route.
The First Valley of the Kings
- Abydos also served as a necropolis for the earliest royal tombs of ancient Egypt ie before the 1st Pharaohs, nobles, and common people desired to be buried near this sacred city, believing it to be a gateway to the afterlife.
The Umm El Qa’ab Necropolis of Royal Tombs
The royal necropolises of the pre-dynastic and the first dynasties (including Narmer’s) are about a mile into the great desert plain. The tombs belong to the pharaohs of the First and Second Dynasties, including Narmer. There are also tombs of the pharaoh’s servants surrounding the royal chambers.
Amazing and Well-Preserved Temples
Abydos is home to several buildings, each with a unique story with the most prominent among them being:
- The Temple of Seti I (also known as the Abydos Temple) a temple dedicated to the Pharaoh Seti I and most notably, Osiris.
- The Osirian, another monument, also associated with Seti I, was intended to serve as a symbolic tomb of Osiris.
- The Temple of Ramses II built by him at Abydos and was dedicated to Osiris. Although largely in ruin, this temple appears to have been more carefully constructed than other buildings built by this pharaoh. Fine-grained limestone was used, with black and red granite for the doorways, sandstone for the columns, and alabaster for an inner shrine.
Colourful Wall Reliefs & Hieroglyphics
The Abydos Temple has well-preserved reliefs, detailing religious rituals, the Pharaoh’s divine lineage, and the afterlife’s mysteries.
The Kings List
The highlight of Seti’s Temple is:
- The Abydos King List, a chronological list showing 76 kings of ancient Egypt, which offers valuable insight into Egypt’s early dynastic history.
- This temple stands out for its well-preserved reliefs, detailing religious rituals, the Pharaoh’s divine lineage, and the afterlife’s mysteries.
Overnight – The second of 2 nights at the Hilton Luxor Resort (5 Star)
Dinner at own expense
Transferring Options
Breakfast in the hotel and, depending on your travel plans and your onward journey you will be either:
Transferring to the airport for your return trip to Cairo or, transferring to your cruise vessel.
Inclusions
The trip to Abydos can be included on a Nile Cruise excursion or as part of our Excavations Experience or as separate 2 day excursion. Our Excavations Experience, has 4 additional sites involved ie The Lost City of the Pyramid Workers, The Hidden Pyramid and Serapeum. The Excavations Experience is conducted as a 4 day/3 night experience
- Meet and greet at the airport by our representative upon arrival
- Overnight accommodation at the Marriot (Nile River) in Zamalek Cairo
- Private Tour with English speaking guide
- Breakfast and lunch each day
- Internal return flight to Luxor
- 2 nights accommodation at the Hilton Luxor Resort (5 Star)
- Pick up and return to your hotel in air conditioned vehicles daily
- Water
- All entrance fees
Exclusions
- Dinners at own expense on Days 1-3
- Personal expenditure of any kind
- Tips
- Alcoholic Drinks and extra meals (other than those stated in the itinerary)
Videos
ARCHAEOLOGY 2.0
Dr Mark Lehner ranks amongst the most outstanding Egyptologists of the modern era. Within a select group of Egyptologists such as Petrie, Carter, Hawass and others, Mark has earned his international reputation based on over 40 years of conducting research and excavations in Egypt. His discoveries, such as the workers village close to the Giza Pyramids, and his academic treatise and publications have contributed greatly to the world’s understanding of ancient Egypt. Mark is also the founder of the Ancient Egyptians Research Associates (AERA) whose work includes training the next generation of Egyptian Egyptologists.
Within One Horizon, training our tour guides so that they provide our clients with the most factual, up to date and insightful information draws heavily from Mark’s 40 years of research, analysis and dedication. And so, our guides remain at the forefront of current learnings and knowledge that enhances our guests Egyptian experience with us.
Unique Cultural
Holiday Experiences
Subscribe To
Our Newsletter
To receive latest news & offers
Share your email ID below
- Facebook
One Horizon Egypt - Twitter
@onehorizonkenya - Instagram
onehorizonkenya
© One Horizon . All right reserved 2025
