Luxor sits on top of the world's largest open-air museum. On the East Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temple set the benchmark for ancient Egyptian architecture. Cross to the West Bank and you walk into the necropolis: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's cliff-side temple at Deir el-Bahari, and the painted tombs of the nobles. A full-day Luxor excursion covers both banks at a comfortable pace with a private guide.
Excursions from Luxor
Luxor Excursions
Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings & the West Bank necropolis
LengthFull & half day
From£60 / person
PickupHotel or Nile cruise included
GuideEgyptologist
The best excursion in Luxor is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988
What you'll see
Luxor, in the order that makes sense
A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.
01
Karnak Temple
The largest religious complex ever built – 2,000 years of pharaohs adding to it, pylon after pylon. The Great Hypostyle Hall and its 134 columns is the single most overwhelming space in Egypt. Go early, before the heat and the river cruisers arrive together.
02
Luxor Temple
In the heart of the modern town, and the rare site that rewards a visit at dusk when it's floodlit. Once joined to Karnak by a two-mile avenue of sphinxes – much of it now re-excavated and walkable. A natural pairing with Karnak on the east-bank half of the day.
03
Valley of the Kings
The royal necropolis of the New Kingdom – Tutankhamun, Ramesses, Seti I – tombs cut deep into the cliffs and painted floor to ceiling. The standard ticket covers three tombs; your guide knows which are open and which are worth the extra entry (Seti I and Nefertari are the prizes).
04
Temple of Hatshepsut
Egypt's most architecturally modern-looking monument, rising in three colonnaded terraces against a sheer cliff at Deir el-Bahari. Built for the woman who ruled as pharaoh – a short drive from the Valley of the Kings, so the two pair naturally on the west bank.
05
Colossi of Memnon
Two seated giants of Amenhotep III, 18 metres tall, standing alone in the fields where his vanished mortuary temple once was. A brief but worthwhile photo stop on the way between the river and the west-bank tombs – Romans came here to hear them 'sing' at dawn.
Every Luxor excursions
Ways to spend the day
Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.
West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon
This private half-day tour visits Luxor’s West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el‑Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. We provide a local Egyptologist and a private car; standard site entrance fees are included. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I are excluded and require separate tickets. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and run small private departures rather than large coach groups. Unlike cruise-ship shore excursions, we schedule early starts to avoid the morning boats and midday heat. Expect uneven ancient stone and limited shade; comfortable shoes and a hat are essential.
On request
Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple – East Bank private visit
A private half-day visit to Luxor's East Bank: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple with one of our Egyptologists. We don't run group bus tours; our visits are private with a licensed driver and a private car. Unlike cruise-shore excursions, we schedule Karnak early to avoid peak coach arrivals. Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall dates to the New Kingdom; Luxor Temple was begun by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramesses II. The two temples lie approximately 2.5 km apart (8–10 minute drive). Standard site entrance fees are included. Expect limited shade and uneven stone underfoot; we recommend morning starts and sun protection. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can add the Luxor Museum or a felucca at sunset.
On request
Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show (Luxor)
The Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show presents recorded narration and music across the Karnak complex after dark. Narration explains Amun‑Ra, Hatshepsut and Ramses in the context of the Great Hypostyle Hall. The public performance uses floodlighting and fixed seating and is theatrical rather than a guided lecture. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we sell standard tickets and can arrange private after‑hours visits with one of our Egyptologists on request for quieter interpretation. Trade-offs: the public show can be crowded, uses recorded audio, and starts late; a private visit costs more but offers direct questions and clearer sightlines.
On request
Luxor Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Flight
Float over Luxor West Bank at first light; the flight gives aerial views of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Hotel collection is typically between 04:00 and 05:00 depending on season; you receive a short safety briefing and watch the balloon inflate. We reschedule flights rather than fly in marginal winds – a safety-first policy. Unlike cruise-boat excursions, our ride includes private hotel transfers before dawn and a small-group briefing by one of our Egyptologists. Expect an early start and occasional cancellations for wind; launch and landing areas have limited shade and uneven ground. The flight ticket and transfers are included; breakfast on landing and gratuities are excluded unless stated.
On request
Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu & Luxor Day Tour
A private road transfer from Aswan to Luxor with guided stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Kom Ombo lies about 50 km north of Aswan (roughly 50 minutes by road). Our driver collects you in Aswan and you travel by private, air-conditioned car along the Nile-side highway. We do not run coach-group itineraries on this route – you travel privately with timing flexibility and fewer fixed stops than cruise-based excursions. Expect a long day: total driving is approximately 3–4 hours, so visits at each temple are necessarily limited. Standard site entrance fees are included; premium extras (private boat rides, premium tombs) and gratuities are excluded. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
On request 1 Days
Dendera & Abydos Temples Day Trip from Luxor
A private day from Luxor visiting Dendera and Abydos by road, led by one of our Egyptologists. Dendera lies about 60 km north of Luxor (roughly 1 hour); Abydos is about 165 km further north (roughly 2.5–3 hours' drive). We operate this as a private-car day rather than a large coach, allowing flexible stops en route and proper time at Seti I’s reliefs and the Dendera Hathor ceiling. Expect a long day with an early pickup and several hours on the road; shade is limited at both sites around midday. Standard site entrance fees are included; special permissions or premium-access areas are extra. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
On request
Know before you go
The practical bits
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.
Tipping
Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.
Heat & water
Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.
Cameras & fees
A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.
Questions we hear most
Luxor excursions, answered
- Can I do the Valley of the Kings and Karnak in one day?
- Yes. A classic full-day Luxor tour pairs the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon) in the morning with the East Bank (Karnak and Luxor temples) in the afternoon, when the light is best. A private Egyptologist keeps the pace comfortable in the heat.
- How many tombs can you enter in the Valley of the Kings?
- The standard ticket includes three tombs of your choice from those open that day. A few tombs – notably Seti I, Nefertari and Tutankhamun – require separate tickets; your guide will advise which are open and which are worth the extra entry.
- How much does a Luxor excursion cost?
- Pricing depends on the itinerary, group size and season – tell us your dates and we'll send an exact, all-in quote. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.
- Are your Luxor excursions private?
- Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.
- When is the best time to visit Luxor?
- October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Luxor year-round.
- Is it safe, and are families welcome?
- Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.
Plan your day in Luxor Tell us your dates.
Tell us your dates.
We'll build the day.
Private Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup, clear pricing in GBP. We've arranged Egypt excursions for British travellers since 1988, with 24/7 in-country support from offices.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup* · we reply within 30 minutes in Cairo office hours
*Excludes trips with pre-issued flight or train tickets.