Egypt Discovery
ExcursionHurghada

Luxor Excursion from Hurghada: Valley of the Kings and Karnak

15 hours, shared coach (16 guests at most), Egyptologist guide, three tombs, three temples and lunch included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 15-hour guided day by shared coach from Hurghada to Luxor, with about four hours of driving each way and four sites: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak.
  • New
  • Small group

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Hurghada · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
Includes
Collection from and return to your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay · A shared air-conditioned coach or minibus · An English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide · Admission to the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple · Lunch in a local restaurant in Luxor
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is far more comfortable for walking around the open sites. In summer the temples are very hot by early afternoon, so take plenty of water.

  • Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
  • Local team in our Hurghada office

02Overview

A first look

This is a full-day excursion from Hurghada to Luxor by road, about four hours each way across the Eastern Desert. You spend the middle of the day on both banks of the Nile with an English-speaking Egyptologist: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. Lunch, entrance tickets and water are included, and you travel in an air-conditioned coach or minibus shared with up to 16 guests. The start is early, at 04:30, and you are back at your hotel around 20:00. It suits keen sightseers who want Luxor without changing hotel.

Background

The facts

Luxor lies inland on the Nile, about four hours by road from Hurghada across the Eastern Desert. The excursion covers both banks of the river in a single 15-hour day, returning to the coast in the evening.

Named in this entry

The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers staying on the Red Sea who want to see ancient Thebes without changing hotel. It suits those who can cope with a 04:30 start and a long day.

Maybe not, if

  • Not recommended for very young children, wheelchair users or anyone who dislikes long coach journeys.

What lingers

  • 01Three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, covered by the standard ticket
  • 02The Temple of Hatshepsut, cut into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari
  • 03A short photo stop at the two Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank
  • 04Karnak Temple, including a walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall
  • 05Lunch in a local Luxor restaurant, with an English-speaking Egyptologist at your side
  • 06Shared air-conditioned coach or minibus, capped at 16 guests

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Luxor's major sights in one day with no hotel change
  • English-speaking Egyptologist guide and tickets included
  • Small shared group, no more than 16

Things to Consider

  • 04:30 start and about eight hours on the road
  • Extra tombs and the electric cart cost more on the day

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Collection from and return to your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay
  • A shared air-conditioned coach or minibus
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide
  • Admission to the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple
  • Lunch in a local restaurant in Luxor
  • Water on board the coach

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Drinks with your lunch
  • Tickets for the extra tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses V and VI)
  • The electric cart in the Valley of the Kings
  • Your own spending money

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Sleep on the coach out and save your energy for Karnak after lunch

  2. 02

    Keep small notes for tips and for tomb tickets, as change is not always available

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. The day involves about eight hours on the road, so we suggest it for children who are happy on long journeys.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

On the ground

Your route

1Hurghada2Luxor

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does the price work for the Luxor excursion?
    The price is per person and covers everything on the inclusions list. Extra-ticket tombs, the electric cart, drinks with lunch and tips are paid on the day. Until our team has confirmed your request, prices remain provisional. We are an Egyptian operator (ETAA Licence 718), not an ATOL or ABTA member, and we do not sell international flights.
  2. 02What time is hotel collection, and from where?
    Collection is at 04:30 from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay. If you want a breakfast box, ask your hotel the evening before. Be in the lobby a few minutes early, because the road to Luxor is long and the coach cannot wait.
  3. 03Can children come on this excursion?
    Yes, but it is a tiring day with about eight hours in a vehicle. Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and anyone aged 12 or over pays the adult price. Please think carefully about whether younger children will cope with the early start.
  4. 04What should I wear and bring for the temples?
    Bring your passport or a copy, a sun hat, sun cream and cash for drinks and optional tombs. Wear trainers or other closed shoes, light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and a jacket for the early start. The coach air conditioning can be cold, so a layer helps.
  5. 05What happens if I need to cancel?
    Give us more than 72 hours' notice and you can keep 100% as credit towards a future holiday or have 100% refunded, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand, keep 100% as credit or have 50% back. Within 24 hours, or if you don't turn up, nothing can be refunded or credited. Should we have to cancel, you won't lose a penny.
  6. 06Is the coach shared, and how big is the group?
    It is shared. You travel with other guests booked on the same day, in an air-conditioned coach or minibus, and the group is limited to 16 people. If you would prefer a vehicle and guide for your own party, ask us about a private version when you send your request.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-HRG-091096

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