Hatshepsut Temple with Baby: Luxor’s West Bank Tour

Julie

2025-04-24

Hatshepsut Temple with Baby: Luxor’s West Bank Tour

Explore the story of Egypt’s Queen Hatshepsut and her majestic temple in Luxor. Travel tips and reflections from our world travel with baby.

Main Journey

From the Valley of the Kings to the Temple of Hatshepsut

We left the Valley of the Kings behind and made our way to one of the most iconic temples in Egypt—the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. The sun was already directly overhead, unrelenting and bright.

In Korea, sunlight is something we notice when we step out for lunch or glance at a reflection off a building. But here in Egypt, the sun feels like a constant companion. Or maybe a relentless overseer. From sunrise to sunset, it’s always above, always intense.

As always, the path to history passed first through a line of souvenir shops. Sweetie pointed out every trinket shaped like a cat or scarab.

Visitor Center Insights

At the visitor center, our guide gave us a quick lesson on Queen Hatshepsut. She ruled Egypt for 21 years on behalf of her young nephew Thutmose III. Her name means “the most noble lady,” and she remains the longest-reigning female pharaoh in Egyptian history.

But history wasn’t always kind to her. After her death, Thutmose III tried to erase her legacy—smashing her statues and removing her name from monuments.

The model of the temple showed what it might have originally looked like, before restorations during the Ramesses II era and later by Napoleon’s team.

Events

The Temple Against the Cliffs

We hopped on the same little “elephant train” as before—2 EGP per person—and soon the grandeur of Hatshepsut’s temple appeared, carved against the towering cliffs.

Unlike other Egyptian temples, this one had a completely different style—clean, geometric, almost modern. It was designed by Senenmut, her royal architect. Rumor has it, he was more than just her architect.

Maybe that explains the extra touch of passion in the design. There’s love in these lines.

Sweetie’s Unexpected Sprint

We tried to pause and take photos, but Sweetie had other plans—dashing straight toward the temple steps like she was being pulled by an ancient force. I could barely keep up.

Inside, murals still lingered. Osiris—the green-skinned god of the afterlife—watched us from a faded wall. Most depictions of Hatshepsut had been destroyed, her figure scratched away or chiseled off.

According to legend, Osiris was dismembered by his jealous brother Set and scattered across Egypt. His wife, Isis, retrieved the pieces and resurrected him—with the help of Ra. Their son? Horus, the falcon-headed god and Egypt’s rightful heir.

Inside the Inner Temple

The deeper we went into the temple, the more exhausted we felt. The columns carved from stone stood tall, cool, and shadowy. Unlike the rectangular shapes outside, the inner columns had a more rounded, multi-angled form.

We didn’t linger long—Sweetie was fading, and honestly, so were we.

Even the grandeur couldn’t keep us from seeking shade and a sip of water.

The Sphinx and the Final Gaze

Outside, we saw the sphinx with Hatshepsut’s face—damaged, erased, but still noble. The entire temple, nestled in the arms of the cliff, felt like it was trying to whisper something through time.

Even as we walked away, I kept turning back to look.

The Colossi of Memnon

Our final stop was a quick one—a pair of enormous statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Only the statues remain; the temple they once guarded was long ago washed away by the Nile’s flooding.

Interestingly, these figures have nothing to do with Memnon. The name stuck because someone once said, “It looks like Memnon’s face.”

We were given five minutes for photos. For a family with a baby, five minutes is nothing—but Sweetie held Julie’s hand, stood still for one shot, and we made the moment last.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

1. The Sun Never Sleeps

That Egyptian sun is fierce. Don’t rely on shaded rest stops—they barely exist. A wide-brimmed baby hat, sun sleeves, and an umbrella or shade cloth are lifesavers.

Keyword: Baby Sun Protection Egypt

2. Expect the Unexpected

Sweetie surprised us by dashing ahead at full speed toward the temple. Always be ready for spontaneity when traveling with a toddler—sometimes history gets them running!

3. Time is Short on Tours

Group tours move fast. Five minutes here, ten minutes there. Be ready to prioritize which moments to savor and which photos to skip.

Keyword: Traveling with Toddler Egypt

Local Travel Tips

1. Don’t Skip the Visitor Center

The model and historical context are worth it. Hatshepsut’s story is powerful, and the guide’s explanation added so much meaning before stepping into the temple itself.

2. The Elephant Train is Optional

It’s only 2 EGP and saves you a short walk in the heat—but if you have a stroller and water, the path is doable on foot.

3. Prepare for Limited Time at Colossi of Memnon

It’s more of a photo-op than a full stop. Get your camera ready, especially if you’re juggling a baby.

Travel Reflections

A Temple Designed with Love

Hatshepsut’s temple doesn’t just feel powerful—it feels personal. Maybe because it was created not just for worship, but as a tribute. That’s something that stays with you.

History Isn’t Always Fair

It was hard to see how much of her legacy was destroyed. But even erased faces can still tell their story, especially when you’re there, standing beneath the cliffs.

Sweetie’s Pace is Our Pace

She might not remember any of this, but I will never forget her sprinting ahead, as if called by something ancient. With a baby, time is short and memories are deep.