Miscellaneous, Luxor

Location
The Language Institute is located in the heart of Luxor on Karnack Street. The small scale Institute plays host to students from all over the world during winter and spring. The nice building houses four bright classrooms, kitchen, a small library, and all the necessary facilities for teachers and students.

Once the great city of Thebes (dating back to around 2000 BC), ancient and modern Luxor offers great opportunities for learning and exploring. You can combine your Arabic language studies with a rich cultural programme - study groups and workshops led by experts, in Arabic and English – during the winter and spring periods.

The themes of the group studies include Egyptology, the Islamic and Coptic Christian religions, and the local customs of Upper Egypt. Classes in traditional cooking, Nile navigation, calligraphy, and oriental dance are also available.

During the off-peak study season, cultural programmes can be organised for groups, and sightseeing can be arranged for individual students.

Studying in Luxor, Climate
Luxor is best visited between October and April. At this time of the year, the climate in Luxor is especially agreeable and daytime temperatures average between 25ºC to 30ºC (77ºF-86ºF), dropping sharply as the sun sets. During the summer months of June, July and August the average temperature is very high indeed, often exceeding 40ºC (104ºF). Luxor´s summer months tend to be rather quiet and at times, the city can feel a bit deserted.

Spring is one of the best times of the year to visit Luxor as the climate is temperate. Though the region still gets substantial sunshine, the cool mornings have warmed a bit. Between January and April Luxor experiences warm but not unbearable temperatures.

Leisure
Luxor is a melting pot of the ancient and modern, tourism is widespread and there is a vibrant Upper Nile culture. The Language Institute aims at opening the door for students to the area´s grand history as well as the local culture of today.

Besides participating in the cultural activities organised by the Language Institute and wandering off on your own to explore the city´s glorious past, you will find plenty of cafés, restaurants, and even spas and nightlife. Luxor offers an excellent base for touring Upper Egypt and enjoying Nile cruises.

During school holidays and long weekends, the Sinai Peninsula and Red Sea are popular destinations. Scuba diving and snorkelling on the coral reefs offer incredible experiences. Hurghada on the Red Sea is a just a four hour bus ride from Luxor. You can also reach Lake Aswan by a Felucca boat along the Nile. Or why not visit Cairo over the weekend? Travel by plane, train or bus to any of these destinations is very convenient.

Getting around Luxor
There is a bridge a few kilometres upstream of the main town of Luxor, allowing ready land access from the east bank to the west bank of the Nile. The local ferries continue to operate from a landing opposite the Temple of Luxor. Alternatively, motorboats line the bank of the Nile all day providing a quicker crossing to the other side.
The city of Luxor on the east bank has several bus routes. Foreigners often rely on horse carriages, called "calèches," for transport or tours around the city. Do not ask calèche drivers to go to the west bank, because it is too far for the horses. Taxis are plentiful, and reasonably priced. For domestic travel along the route of the Nile, a rail service operates several times a day. A morning train and sleeping train can be taken from the railway station situated close to Luxor Temple. The line runs between several major destinations, including Cairo to the north and Aswan to the south.

If you have an international student card, please bring it as it can entitle you to discounts on transportation fares to/from Luxor.

Airport transfer & accommodation
It is easy to get to Luxor, directly by international flight or via Cairo. The most pleasant way may be by train (see more information under Getting there). If you have booked accommodation through us you will be picked up at the airport or railway station in Luxor. You will find a person waiting for you, holding a sign with your name on it. Accommodation is readily available with local families, in apartments or at hotels. Please see more information under Accommodation in Luxor.