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Overview
Hatshepsut Temple
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is one of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian architecture, built around 1479–1458 BCE for the female pharaoh Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. Set against the dramatic ochre cliffs of the Theban hills on Luxor’s west bank, the temple rises in three colonnaded terraces to a cliff-face sanctuary, creating a striking interplay between built form and natural landscape. It was designed by the royal steward Senenmut.
Hatshepsut ruled as pharaoh for approximately 21 years. The temple walls carry her most celebrated achievements: the Punt expedition reliefs, documenting a trade mission to the land of Punt that returned with myrrh trees, ebony, ivory, and exotic animals; and the divine birth narrative, attributing her parentage directly to the god Amun.
After Hatshepsut’s death, her successor Thutmose III systematically erased her name and image from the temple — chiseling out her cartouches and defacing her statues — in what is thought to have been a deliberate attempt to remove her from the official succession record. Many erasures have been documented, and modern restoration has partially restored her presence in the reliefs.
Photo Gallery
Interesting Facts
Hatshepsut ruled as pharaoh for approximately 21 years, wearing the double crown and false beard of kingship — one of only a handful of women to hold full pharaonic title in Egyptian history
The Punt expedition reliefs are the most detailed pictorial and textual record of any ancient Egyptian trade mission, showing the journey, the people of Punt, and the goods returned
Her successor Thutmose III systematically erased her name and image from the temple — an erasure Egyptologists only fully interpreted in the 20th century
The temple's three-terrace design aligns with a natural gap in the Theban cliffs pointing directly toward Amun's sanctuary at Karnak across the Nile
At the winter solstice, the rising sun shines directly into the inner sanctuary of the Hathor chapel — a solar alignment incorporated by architect Senenmut
History & Significance
Hatshepsut assumed the role of pharaoh around 1473 BCE following the death of her husband Thutmose II, during the minority of her stepson Thutmose III. She ruled in her own right for approximately 21 years, adopting full pharaonic regalia including the double crown and false beard. Her reign was marked by extensive temple-building, the erection of obelisks at Karnak, and the successful Punt expedition.
The Deir el-Bahari complex was built on a site considered the entrance to the underworld in Theban religion. It shares the valley with the earlier temple of Mentuhotep II and the later temple of Thutmose III, all oriented toward a gap in the cliffs that aligns with Amun’s sanctuary at Karnak across the Nile.
In November 1997, Deir el-Bahari was the site of the Luxor massacre, in which 62 tourists and Egyptian workers were killed by militants — an event that led to major changes in security protocols at archaeological sites throughout the country.
What to See
Punt Expedition Reliefs
Painted limestone reliefs on the middle colonnade show the full journey to Punt — Egyptian ships, the queen of Punt, tropical trees, and the return cargo — in extraordinary detail.
Divine Birth Narrative
The north colonnade depicts the story of Hatshepsut's divine conception with the god Amun — a mythological legitimization of female rule.
Hathor Chapel
A dedicated chapel on the south side of the third terrace retains painted reliefs in unusually good condition, with Hathor depicted as a cow sheltering the royal figure.
Clifftop Setting
Three colonnaded terraces rise against towering natural cliffs — the combination of architecture and landscape makes the approach one of Egypt's most striking visual experiences.
Statuary Fragments
Restored Osirid statues of Hatshepsut line the upper terrace colonnade, many reassembled from thousands of fragments deliberately smashed and buried after her death.
Temple of Hatshepsut Tickets and Prices (2026)
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is on Luxor's west bank. Prices below are the official ones for foreign visitors, as listed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in October 2026.
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Temple of Hatshepsut | EGP 440 | EGP 220 |
Students need a valid student card and must be 24 or younger. Children under six enter free. Phone photography is free. A small electric tram runs from the ticket office to the temple for a separate fee; the walk takes about ten minutes. Bring a bank card, as payment at the major sites is now mostly by card.
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
The temple opens every day at 6:00 AM. Last entry is 4:00 PM in winter and 5:00 PM in summer; during Ramadan it is 4:00 PM.
The temple faces east, so it is best in the early morning, when the sun lights the terraces against the cliffs. The courts are open and unshaded, and Deir el-Bahari is one of the hottest corners of Luxor in summer, so go early and carry water.
What to See
- The three terraces: the temple rises in three levels joined by long ramps, cut into the foot of the cliff. Its design, by Hatshepsut's architect Senenmut, is unlike any other temple in Egypt.
- The Punt reliefs on the middle terrace (south side): the queen's trading expedition to the land of Punt, with ships, incense trees, exotic animals and the famous Queen of Punt.
- The Divine Birth colonnade (north side of the middle terrace): Hatshepsut presented as the daughter of the god Amun, her claim to the throne.
- The Chapel of Hathor, with columns topped by the cow-eared face of the goddess, and the Chapel of Anubis, where much of the original colour survives.
- The upper terrace, lined with Osiride statues of the queen, and the sanctuary cut into the rock.
Look for the places where Hatshepsut's name and face were hacked out after her death, when her successor Thutmose III tried to remove her from history. Read more about the women who ruled Egypt in our guide to the Egyptian pharaohs.
How to Get There and How Long You Need
The temple is on the west bank of Luxor, about 5 km from the Nile and ten minutes by car from the Valley of the Kings. Allow one to one and a half hours.
| How | Best for |
|---|---|
| Luxor West Bank tour | Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon in half a day. |
| Full-day Luxor tour | Both banks in one day. |
| Sunrise balloon ride | The best view of the temple and the cliffs, from the air at dawn. |
Temple of Hatshepsut: Common Questions
How much is the Hatshepsut Temple ticket in 2026?
The ticket for foreign visitors is EGP 440, or EGP 220 for students.
How long do you need at the Temple of Hatshepsut?
About an hour to an hour and a half, including the walk or tram ride from the ticket office.
Who was Hatshepsut?
One of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, from about 1479 to 1458 BC. Her reign was peaceful and rich, remembered for great building works and the expedition to Punt.
Is the Temple of Hatshepsut worth visiting?
Yes. Its terraces against the cliffs make it one of the most striking sights in Egypt, and it is close to the Valley of the Kings, so the two fit easily into one morning.
Tours Including Hatshepsut Temple
These packages visit this site as part of the itinerary.
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Day tours & Nile cruises visiting Hatshepsut Temple
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