Hotels near Hatshepsut Temple (Deir el-Bahari)

Hatshepsut's mortuary temple rises in three terraces against the West Theban cliffs at Deir el-Bahari, designed by the royal architect Senenmut around 1473 BCE. The colonnaded ramps lead to a sanctuary cut deep into the rock and to chapels honouring Anubis and Hathor. Painted reliefs on the middle terrace record Hatshepsut's expedition to the Land of Punt, complete with giraffes, baboons and incense trees - the earliest detailed picture of foreign trade in Egyptian art. Damnatio memoriae chiselled most of her cartouches centuries later, but enough faces survived to read the program. The 1997 attack memorial near the lower causeway notes the 62 victims of an extremist incident at the site. Tickets 550 EGP; open 6 AM to 5 PM.

Pro Tip: The Anubis Chapel on the middle terrace keeps strong colour because direct sun never reaches it - check the ceiling stars and the Hathor cow before climbing further.