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?

Private excursions in Luxor start from £37 per person, with the exact rate depending on the itinerary, group size and season. 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.

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

By the Egypt Discovery desk · Reviewed 28 September 2026

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.

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.

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.

~2.5 hrsEast bank · open 6am

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.

~1.5 hrsBest at golden hour

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).

~2.5 hrsWest bank · 3 tombs included

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.

~1.5 hrsDeir el-Bahari

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.

~20 minQuick stop · west bank

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.

Luxor 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.

From £74

Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple – East Bank Half-Day Tour

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.

From £61

Medinet Habu & Valley of the Kings Day Tour: Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon

Luxor’s West Bank brings together royal tombs, funerary temples and the Colossi of Memnon, two seated statues of Amenhotep III. At the Valley of the Kings, the standard entrance ticket covers three tombs; Tutankhamun’s and Seti I’s tombs require separate tickets. The route also takes in Hatshepsut’s terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari and Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramses III. Unlike itineraries that stop after the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple, this one adds Medinet Habu, where reliefs record events from Ramses III’s reign. Our private licensed Egyptologist guide provides context at each site.

From £90

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.

From £38

Luxor Hot Air Balloon Sunrise 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.

From £101

Karnak Temple Half-Day Tour

Karnak Temple is a vast complex on the east bank of the Nile in Luxor, developed over many centuries and dedicated chiefly to the god Amun-Ra. Its pylons, courtyards and monumental columns reflect successive phases of ancient Egyptian building. The Sacred Lake is within the complex and forms part of this visit. A private licensed Egyptologist guide explains the site’s history and architecture as you explore. Unlike a group visit, the private format allows you to follow the site with your own guide. Expect substantial walking on ancient paths and uneven surfaces; shade is limited in exposed areas.

From £47

Private Luxor Temple Half-Day Tour

Luxor Temple stands on the east bank of the Nile in central Luxor. Construction began under Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC, with later additions associated with Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. Its courts, columns and statues show how the temple changed across different periods of ancient Egyptian history. The avenue once linking Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple offers further context for the religious landscape of ancient Thebes. Unlike excursions that combine several monuments, this visit focuses on Luxor Temple, giving your licensed Egyptologist time to explain the site’s details. We arrange the visit as a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

From £44

Dendera Temple Half Day Trip from Luxor

The Temple of Dendera is dedicated to Hathor, an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with music, love and motherhood. Its main temple took shape chiefly during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, offering a different architectural setting from the predominantly New Kingdom temples around Luxor. Look for carved columns, reliefs and astronomical imagery across the temple complex. Our private licensed Egyptologist guide explains the site’s history and features as you explore. The excursion includes lunch at a local restaurant. Unlike visits focused only on Luxor’s New Kingdom monuments, Dendera adds a clear contrast in period and religious dedication.

From £64

Valley of the Queens Half-Day Tour

Visit the Valley of the Queens on Luxor’s West Bank with a private licensed Egyptologist guide. Used mainly for the burials of queens and royal children during Egypt’s New Kingdom, the valley contains the tomb of Nefertari. Entry to Nefertari’s tomb is not included and requires a separate ticket. The visit involves walking across archaeological ground, where surfaces can be uneven and shade is limited. Unlike a general West Bank overview, this excursion focuses on the valley and its royal tombs. We arrange private transport with pick-up and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise.

From £37

Deir el-Medina and Tombs of the Nobles Half-Day Tour

Deir el-Medina preserves the remains of the village where workers lived while building and decorating royal tombs in ancient Thebes. At the nearby Tombs of the Nobles, decorated burial places reflect the status and lives of officials and other members of elite society. The contrast between a workers’ community and noble tomb art gives this Luxor West Bank visit its focus. Unlike a broad West Bank itinerary, this half-day excursion concentrates on these two archaeological sites. A private Egyptologist guide provides context as you visit, with a private vehicle for pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise.

From £39

Mummification Museum Half-Day Tour in Luxor

The Mummification Museum in Luxor explores how ancient Egyptians prepared human and animal bodies for burial. Its displays include preserved remains, tools and materials associated with mummification. With a private licensed Egyptologist, you can connect these objects to beliefs about death and the afterlife, rather than seeing them as a collection of artefacts without context. Unlike visits focused on Luxor’s temples and tombs, this tour centres on burial practices and the treatment of the body. We arrange private pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise, and the museum entrance ticket is included.

From £37

Luxor Museum Half-Day Tour

Luxor Museum presents archaeological finds from ancient Thebes, including objects from the New Kingdom and finds associated with royal tombs. A private licensed Egyptologist guide can explain how individual objects relate to the history of the city and its rulers. Unlike a self-guided visit, this tour includes a guide to provide historical context as you view the collection. The visit centres on the museum rather than combining it with other archaeological sites, so the focus stays on the objects and their stories. It is a considered introduction to Luxor’s ancient past, indoors and away from the scale of the city’s open-air temple complexes.

From £41

Esna and Edfu Temples Day Trip from Luxor

Visit the Temple of Esna and the Temple of Edfu on a private excursion from Luxor, with a licensed Egyptologist guide. Esna’s temple is dedicated to Khnum, the creator god, and its hypostyle hall features carved columns and an astronomical ceiling. Edfu is dedicated to Horus and is among Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples, with inscriptions and reliefs across its walls. We arrange private transport with pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise, plus lunch at a local restaurant. Unlike a group coach outing, this visit is privately arranged, allowing your guide to focus on both temples with your group.

From £80

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.

From £88

Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples Day Trip from Luxor

Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo on a private excursion from Luxor. Edfu’s temple is among the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, with monumental pylons and carved reliefs. Kom Ombo stands beside the Nile and is dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder. A licensed Egyptologist explains the architecture and religious imagery at both sites. Unlike an unguided visit, this excursion includes an Egyptologist to put the carvings and temple layouts in context. We arrange private transport, pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise, entrance tickets and lunch at a local restaurant.

From £98

Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples Day Trip from Luxor

Visit the temples of Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo on a road-based excursion from Luxor. At Esna, the Temple of Khnum stands below modern street level, with its surviving hypostyle hall known for carved columns and a decorated ceiling. Edfu’s temple is dedicated to Horus, while Kom Ombo has paired sanctuaries associated with Sobek and Horus the Elder. Our private licensed Egyptologist guide can explain the buildings and their reliefs as you explore. Unlike brief stops on some Nile cruise itineraries, this excursion visits all three named temples in one day. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

From £106

Aswan to 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.

From £2051 Days

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