4-Day Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Trip from Hurghada
Four days by private road from your Red Sea hotel to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel and Philae. Three hotel nights are included.
The short answer
4-Day Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Trip from Hurghada is a 4-day, 3-night trip to Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Hurghada: 1 night in Luxor and 2 in Aswan. It includes an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at £726 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
If you are on a beach holiday in Hurghada and want to see the temples of Upper Egypt, this trip is built for you. It leaves from your hotel and returns there, entirely by road, with one night in Luxor and two in Aswan.
The first day is the drive to Luxor, around five hours, followed by Karnak and Luxor Temple. Day two covers the West Bank before the road south to Aswan. Day three is given over to Abu Simbel and begins very early. The last morning brings Philae Temple, then a long drive of about seven hours back to Hurghada. Be honest with yourself: it is four full, tiring days, and it suits fit travellers. For those who can manage it, it packs a great deal in.
What lingers
- 01Karnak and Luxor Temple on the first afternoon
- 02The Valley of the Kings with three tombs, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- 03Abu Simbel by road from Aswan: a full day with a very early start
- 04Philae Temple on its island, reached by boat
- 05No flights: private road transfers from Hurghada to Luxor and Aswan and back again
- 06Three hotel nights, one in Luxor and two in Aswan
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom £7263★ hotels | Luxor · 1 nightEl Mesala Hotel Luxor Aswan · 2 nightsHapi Hotel Aswan | £726May–Sep: from £710 | |
| Comfortfrom £8204★ hotels | Luxor · 1 nightIberotel Luxor by JAZ | £820May–Sep: from £772 | |
| Classicfrom £8515★ hotels | £851May–Sep: from £786 | ||
| Prestigefrom £9595★ deluxe hotels | Luxor · 1 nightSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Aswan · 2 nightsTolip Aswan | £959May–Sep: from £872 | |
| Luxuryfrom £1,0415★ luxury hotels | Luxor · 1 nightHilton Luxor Resort & Spa Aswan · 2 nightsThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan | £1,041May–Sep: from £1,021 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
4 Days / 3 Nights · Hurghada · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Aswan
- 1
A driver picks you up at your Hurghada hotel for the private journey to Luxor, which takes about five hours. In Luxor your Egyptologist takes you to Karnak, Egypt's biggest temple complex, to see the forest of columns and the Sacred Lake, then on to Luxor Temple by the river. Transport and entrance fees are covered. The visits are fitted around your arrival time, and it makes for a long day.
You sleep in a Luxor hotel.
- 2
Once you have had breakfast, you cross to the West Bank for around six hours with your Egyptologist. You see the Valley of the Kings, where three tombs are included, Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Air-conditioned transport and the entrance tickets for the three tombs are covered.
Afterwards you travel on to Aswan, about three and a half hours away, where you stay for two nights.
- 3
Today is for Abu Simbel, and it takes the whole day. You set off from Aswan very early for the road journey to the two rock temples built by Ramesses II and his queen, Nefertari. Entrance fees to the temples are included. You are back in Aswan the same day, and nothing else is planned, so the evening is for resting. Pack snacks, water and a light layer for the early start.
- 4
You check out after breakfast and head for Philae, the temple of Isis, for a visit of around four hours with a local guide. A boat takes you across to Agilkia Island, and you walk the Great Colonnade, the inner sanctuaries and Trajan's Kiosk, and hear how the temple was rescued when the High Dam was built. Transport, the boat crossing and entrance fees are included.
Then comes the private drive back to Hurghada, about seven hours, finishing at your hotel in the evening. It is a long end to a tiring four days.
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Three hotel nights, one in Luxor and two in Aswan, with breakfast
- Private road transfers from Hurghada to Luxor, Luxor to Aswan and Aswan to Hurghada
- Pick-up from your Hurghada hotel and drop-off at the end
- Abu Simbel by road from Aswan, with entrance fees
- An Egyptologist, transport and entrance fees at Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank, including three tombs
- A half day at Philae Temple with a local guide, the boat crossing and entrance fees
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Your Hurghada hotel and resort stay
- Egyptian entry visa
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Lunch, dinner and drinks
- Tombs beyond the three included in the Valley of the Kings, and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's
- Travel insurance and personal spending
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Pack snacks and water for the first-day drive from Hurghada, as the desert road to Luxor offers few places to stop.
- 02
Go into the Valley of the Kings tombs early while the air is cool; the chambers become hot and stuffy as more visitors arrive.
- 03
Carry a charged power bank on Abu Simbel day, as long hours on the road and endless photographs will flatten your battery.
- 04
Wear shoes with good grip at Philae; the stone at the landing can be slippery, and you cross to the island by motor boat.
Tailor it
Make it yours
You choose the hotel standard when you book. Ask us about an extra night in Luxor, a hot-air balloon flight over Luxor, or a flight option to shorten the road days.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Fit travellers staying in Hurghada who want to see the great sites of Upper Egypt without moving their luggage for a whole holiday. Suits couples, friends and solo travellers who are happy with long hours in a vehicle.
Maybe not, if
- Travellers who want a gentle pace or step-free access to every site, and families with young children. Days 1, 3 and 4 are long.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Karnak, the West Bank, Abu Simbel and Philae in four days from your resort
- Private transport, with no flights to manage
- Collection from and return to your Hurghada hotel
Things to Consider
- Long road days: about 5, 3.5 and 7 hours between cities, plus Abu Simbel
- A very early start on day 3
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
Where it fits
A good choice if you are at a Red Sea resort and want Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel in one go. It is not a relaxed trip: expect early starts and hours on the road.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many Hurghada excursions to Luxor are a single long day. This four-day trip adds a night in Luxor, a second day on the West Bank and Abu Simbel, so the sightseeing feels less hurried than a day trip, although the road days are still long.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided private road trip from a Red Sea resort
- Accommodation
- Luxor and Aswan hotels, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Hurghada · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Philae Temple
- Includes
- 1 night in Luxor and 2 nights in Aswan with breakfast · Private road transfers from Hurghada and back · Abu Simbel by road, entrance fees included · Egyptologist guiding on the Luxor and Philae days · Entrance fees to every listed site · No flights
- Best for
- Fit travellers on holiday in Hurghada · Travellers interested in history · Those wanting Abu Simbel as well as Luxor in a few days
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Your hotel in HurghadaMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any visa or travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any regular medication
- A small day bag, plus a small overnight bag for the three hotel nights
- Snacks and a light layer for the long drives
What to wear
- Light, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for the very early start and for winter evenings
Children & families
Children are welcome, though think carefully before booking. Day 3 starts very early and the road days are long, so the trip suits older children who travel well. Each child has a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free under 6 and full price from 6. Hotel prices depend on the child's age and the room used, and we give you the exact figure once you tell us the age at booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Much of this trip is spent in a vehicle: around five hours on day 1, about three and a half on day 2, a full day on the road to and from Abu Simbel, and about seven hours on day 4. At the sites you walk on uneven stone, sand and steps, with little shade at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. Philae is reached by boat, with steps and a short gangway. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us what you need when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The whole trip is by private road vehicle over long distances, so we make no claim about carbon savings. Guiding is by local Egyptologists and the sightseeing is arranged through suppliers in Luxor and Aswan, so a good share of what you spend stays in the places you visit. Please bring a refillable water bottle and keep your hands off the painted walls in tombs and temples.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Does this trip involve any flights?
No. Every journey is by private road: Hurghada to Luxor on day 1, Luxor to Aswan on day 2 and Aswan back to Hurghada on day 4. Abu Simbel is also reached by road from Aswan.02How long are the drives?
Around five hours from Hurghada to Luxor, about three and a half from Luxor to Aswan and about seven hours from Aswan back to Hurghada. Abu Simbel takes a full day by road from Aswan. It is a tiring trip and suits fit travellers.03How early is the start for Abu Simbel?
Very early. Day 3 is given over entirely to Abu Simbel, with nothing else planned, so you can rest in the evening. We will confirm the exact departure time with you before you travel.04Where do we stay?
One night in a Luxor hotel and two nights in an Aswan hotel. You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we confirm the hotels for your dates.05Can I fly home on the evening of day 4?
We would advise against it. The drive from Aswan takes around seven hours and road times vary. The trip ends at your Hurghada hotel and you pick up your resort stay again. If you leave Egypt on day 5 or later you have a margin. International flights are booked separately and are not included. Do take travel insurance that covers missed connections.06Are the guide, entrance fees and transport included?
Transport is private and air-conditioned throughout. On days 1 and 2 an Egyptologist and the entrance fees come with it, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings. On day 3 the Abu Simbel entrance fees are included, and on day 4 a local guide takes you round Philae, with the boat crossing and entrance fees.07What does the price not cover?
International flights, your Hurghada hotel and resort stay, the Egyptian visa, tips for guides and drivers, lunch, dinner and drinks, and any tombs beyond the three in the Valley of the Kings.08What is the best time of year?
October to April is cooler and far more comfortable for temples. Summers are very hot in Luxor and Aswan, so the days start early, and the long drives are harder going.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-HRG-482829
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Hurghada → Luxor → Aswan → Abu Simbel
- Nights
- 1 Luxor · 2 Aswan
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers