Al Minya Tour Review: Tell El Amarna & Beni Hasan 2025
Why an Al Minya Trip is Something Else Entirely
Honestly, most people who go to Egypt head straight for Cairo and Luxor, you know, for the big-name sights. Al Minya, in some respects, doesn’t even appear on their radar. As a matter of fact, that is exactly why you should think about going. It’s almost a look into a different part of Egypt’s long story, a chapter that is a little quieter and way less crowded. Frankly, a day-long outing here is not about gigantic temples; it is instead about seeing some truly one-of-a-kind places with some very special histories. We are talking, of course, about Tell El Amarna, the city that Pharaoh Akhenaten built for his new god, and Beni Hasan, with its line of burial spots cut right into the side of a cliff. Anyway, this is a look back at my own time on this exact kind of day outing, with some thoughts on what you can really anticipate if you choose to go.
You see, this outing is a bit of a commitment, typically starting very early from Cairo. Still, the long ride itself is part of the experience. Actually, you get to watch the countryside of Middle Egypt slowly pass by your window, showing you a piece of life far from the big tourist centers. We found that the feeling was completely different from being in the middle of a Giza crowd. Obviously, this is an area where tourism is still finding its feet, which has its own kind of charm. You feel, in a way, like you are seeing something more genuine. The anticipation builds on the road, knowing you are headed to locations that really altered the course of Egyptian history. So, get ready for a day that is arguably more about feeling the weight of the past than just seeing monuments.
Walking Through Akhenaten’s Vision: The Tell El Amarna Experience
Arriving at Tell El Amarna is, frankly, a bit of a strange feeling. Unlike the tightly packed sites in Luxor, this place is absolutely huge and mostly open to the sky. As a matter of fact, you are walking across the grounds of a city that was built and then abandoned in less than two decades. The guide we had, who was pretty knowledgeable, explained that Akhenaten chose this spot for its isolation, and honestly, you can really feel that today. Basically, you are standing in the middle of a revolutionary idea from over 3,000 years ago. It’s not about big statues; instead, it is about the empty spaces and the ghost of a city named Akhetaten, or the ‘Horizon of the Aten’. You’ll need good walking shoes, because the different parts of the site are really spread out, and the sun can be pretty strong.
We spent a good bit of time checking out the Northern Tombs. What’s sort of wild about these is the artwork inside, you know? It’s really different from anything else you’ll see in Egypt. Our guide pointed out that the Amarna art style shows the royal family in surprisingly natural and loving poses. For example, you see images of Akhenaten with his wife, Nefertiti, and their daughters, and they seem like a real family, not just stiff figures. Honestly, it’s quite moving. These burial spots belonged to the high-ranking people of Akhenaten’s court, and in a way, they give you a little window into their lives. You can practically imagine the wind kicking up dust across the plains as you walk between them, which it often does.
You literally feel the emptiness of the desert and can almost hear the echoes of a city built on a single, radical belief. It’s a very different kind of historical connection.
Next, we went over to the Southern Tombs, which more or less offer a similar vibe but with different details to notice. The tomb of Ay, who would later become pharaoh, is particularly interesting. Actually, the art here shows you just how much everyone was trying to get on board with Akhenaten’s new way of thinking. Meanwhile, seeing the remnants of the royal palaces and temples is an exercise in imagination. You have to pretty much picture what they were like from just the stone foundations. The guide, for instance, showed us the location of the Great Aten Temple, and you could just get a sense of its incredible scale, even with so little left. In that case, having a person who can paint a picture for you with words is a real benefit.
The Cliffside Picture Books of Beni Hasan
After the wide-open, dusty plains of Amarna, a trip to Beni Hasan feels like a completely different world, you know? Here, you have a series of tombs, arguably some of the most amazing from the Middle Kingdom, cut directly into the limestone cliffs high above the Nile. Frankly, the view from up there is worth the visit all by itself. You can see the green ribbon of the Nile valley stretching out below, which is an absolutely incredible sight. As I was saying, these final resting places belonged to the regional governors of their day, long before Akhenaten was even born. The feeling here is more contained, more about looking closely at details rather than thinking about wide open spaces.
The real treasure, of course, is what you find inside these rock-cut chambers. Unlike the royal and religious scenes you usually see, the walls of the Beni Hasan tombs are covered in pictures of everyday life. Seriously, it’s like opening up a 4,000-year-old comic book. In the Tomb of Kheti, for example, there are these very famous paintings of wrestlers, showing them in hundreds of different holds and positions. It’s almost like an ancient instruction manual. Likewise, in other tombs, you can see scenes of people farming, hunting in the marshes, and even playing games. We were sort of blown away by how lively and colorful they still are after all this time. It really gives you a human connection to these people who lived so long ago.
Our guide pointed out the Tomb of Baqet III as another one you definitely have to see. It’s a bit different, featuring pictures of desert animals like gazelles and ibexes. What’s amazing is how they captured the movement and spirit of the creatures. It’s really art for its own sake, not just for religious purposes. To be honest, you spend your time here craning your neck and pointing things out to each other. It’s a shared discovery, sort of like you are all uncovering these little secrets together. The climb up to the tombs is a little steep, so just take your time, but obviously, it’s completely worth the effort you put in.
The Realities of the Day Trip: Logistics and Advice
Okay, let’s talk about the practical side of this whole adventure. As a matter of fact, it is a very long day. Our pickup from our Cairo hotel was extremely early, well before the sun came up. The drive to Al Minya is several hours long, so obviously, you should try to get some sleep in the car. Having a private vehicle and driver, which is how most of these outings are set up, makes it pretty comfortable. They actually handle all the driving and checkpoints, so you can just relax and watch the scenery go by. It’s also a good idea to bring a travel pillow and maybe some music or a podcast to pass the time on the road.
Frankly, a good guide is what makes or breaks this trip. Our Egyptologist was basically a walking encyclopedia, but he explained everything in a way that was easy to follow. At a site like Tell El Amarna, which is mostly ruins, you really need someone to bring the story to life for you. They can point out details you would almost certainly miss on your own. For lunch, our tour arranged a stop at a simple local spot in Al Minya city. It was pretty good, basic Egyptian food, which was a nice change from the usual tourist fare. You really get a sense of the local pace of life, which is kind of refreshing.
Here’s some more practical advice. First, wear your most comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking on uneven, sandy, and rocky ground. Second, water is absolutely your best friend. Even on a cooler day, the sun in the desert can be intense, so bring more than you think you will need. Also, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are things you definitely should not forget. The security situation in Middle Egypt means that tourist travel is often done in a convoy or with clearance, but the tour company handles all of that. Actually, we felt perfectly safe the entire time. It’s just a different way of traveling that you kind of get used to.
Is the Al Minya Experience for You?
So, at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if this trip fits your travel style. To be honest, if this is your very first time in Egypt and you only have one week, this probably isn’t the right choice for you. You will likely want to focus on the pyramids, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and the big temples in Luxor. This outing is really for a different kind of traveler. For instance, if you’ve been to Egypt before and are looking for something new, this is an absolutely fantastic option. It takes you so far beyond the typical tourist path, and you’ll see things most visitors never get a chance to.
This trip is also perfect for people who are really, really into the details of ancient Egyptian history. If the story of Akhenaten, the “heretic king,” and his revolutionary religious ideas fascinates you, then seeing the city he built is a must-do. You almost can’t fully grasp the story until you stand in that desolate, beautiful place. Similarly, if you appreciate art and the lives of regular people from long ago, the paintings at Beni Hasan are a genuine feast for the eyes. They offer a kind of narrative that you just don’t find in the more formal royal tombs further south.
The trip is a choice for depth over breadth. You see fewer things than you might on a busy day in Luxor, but you connect with them in a way that is, in some respects, more profound.
You may want to consider your physical fitness too. While it’s not a hugely demanding day, there is quite a bit of walking, a bit of climbing up to the Beni Hasan tombs, and you will be out in the sun for long stretches. It’s perfectly manageable for most people, but it’s something to keep in mind. Basically, if you are searching for an adventure that feels a bit more like discovery and a little less like a standard tour, then a day exploring the wonders of Al Minya could honestly be one of the high points of your entire trip to Egypt.
Read our full review: [Al Minya Day Tour: Tell El Amarna and Beni Hasan Full Review and Details]
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Key Takeaways from the Tour
- This is a very long day trip, usually from Cairo, so you should be prepared for an early start and lots of driving.
- Tell El Amarna is a huge, open-air site, so good walking shoes and sun protection are things you definitely need.
- Beni Hasan offers a chance to see lively, detailed paintings of daily life from the Middle Kingdom, which is quite unique.
- A knowledgeable guide is pretty much a necessity to make sense of the history and the ruins, especially at Amarna.
- This trip is arguably best for second-time visitors to Egypt or those with a deep interest in history looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience.
