From top: The colossi of Memnon, the guardians of the Theban necropolis, are all that remains of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III 1500 BC; Amm Abdou Taha has spent 40 years of his life guarding the Karnak Temples

from top: travellers coming from Hurghada visit the Karnak Temples before they flock to the west bank, have lunch and return to Hurghada at night; guests by the pool after a long day of sightseeing; thousands of celebrants during the annual moulid of Abul-Haggag in a parade that tours all of Luxor city; Luxor Temple is a spectacular attraction to travellers of the ancient city