Egypt Discovery
ExcursionMarsa Alam

Private Luxor Excursion from Marsa Alam by Road

16 hours, private vehicle and Egyptologist guide, three tombs, Hatshepsut, Karnak and lunch included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 16-hour private excursion from Marsa Alam to Luxor by road: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak, with a private guide and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
Includes
Private Hotel transfers in the Marsa Alam area: the town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir on request) · A private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver · Your own English-speaking Egyptologist · Entry to Karnak, Hatshepsut's temple and three Valley of the Kings tombs · A meal at a local restaurant
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is much more comfortable for walking the sites. In summer, the heat after midday is severe.

  • IATA accredited operator, open since 1988
  • A Marsa Alam team on hand locally

02Overview

A first look

This is a private full-day excursion from Marsa Alam to Luxor by road. The drive takes about four and a half hours each way, so the start is very early, at 03:30. Once there, your own Egyptologist guide takes you through the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple. Lunch and entry tickets are included. Your party has its own vehicle and sets its own pace. You return to the coast late in the evening.

Background

The facts

Luxor lies on the Nile, about four and a half hours by road from Marsa Alam across the Eastern Desert. The sites sit on both banks of the river.

Named in this entry

Luxor on the Nile·Valley of the Kings tombs·Hatshepsut's terraced temple·Colossi of Memnon statues·Karnak temple complex·Eastern Desert of Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers based on the Red Sea who want Luxor's best-known sites without changing hotels.

Maybe not, if

  • Not recommended for young children, wheelchair users or anyone who cannot cope with an extremely long day.

What lingers

  • 01A standard ticket at the Valley of the Kings, which opens three tombs to you
  • 02The Temple of Hatshepsut, built in terraces against the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari
  • 03A short stop to photograph the Colossi of Memnon
  • 04Karnak Temple, including the Great Hypostyle Hall
  • 05A private Egyptologist guide who speaks English, just for your party
  • 06Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver, with lunch in a local restaurant

Honest assessment

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

Highlights

  • Luxor's highlights without moving hotels
  • Your own guide and vehicle
  • Tickets and lunch included

Things to Consider

  • A 03:30 start and about nine hours on the road
  • Extra tombs and the electric cart cost more

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

  6. 6

  7. 7

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Private Hotel transfers in the Marsa Alam area: the town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir on request)
  • A private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver
  • Your own English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Entry to Karnak, Hatshepsut's temple and three Valley of the Kings tombs
  • A meal at a local restaurant
  • Water to drink, in bottles

Not included

  • Thank-you tips for guide and driver
  • What you drink at lunch
  • Entry to the extra-ticket tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses V and VI)
  • The buggy that runs up the Valley of the Kings
  • Money for your own purchases

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Sleep in the car on the way out and save your energy for Karnak

  2. 02

    Carry small notes for tips and extra tickets, as change is not always available

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

The figure for the Luxor day is quoted for the whole party, and children are counted in the group size. Add their ages to your request. The Luxor day is 16 hours long, so it suits children who cope well with 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

1Marsa Alam2Luxor

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price for the Luxor day worked out?
    The figure for the Luxor day is set for your whole party, not per head, and it comes down as the group grows. For the Luxor day it pays for the vehicle, driver, guide, tickets and lunch listed above. Our team confirms the final figure for the Luxor day after you send a request. We operate the Luxor day under ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and our IATA accreditation, though international flights are not something we sell.
  2. 02What time is hotel collection?
    For the Luxor day, collection is at about 03:30. For the Luxor day we cover Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts in between, and we can collect from El Quseir if you ask. Your exact time for the Luxor day is confirmed when we accept your request, and the driver cannot wait long.
  3. 03How are children counted on the Luxor day?
    Children are counted in your party size, and the figure for the Luxor day is quoted for the whole group. Add everyone's ages to your the Luxor day request so we can give you an accurate total. Please think about whether younger children can manage 16 hours of travel and sightseeing on the Luxor day.
  4. 04How long are we in the car, and can we stop?
    The drive is about four and a half hours each way, so around nine hours in the vehicle. Because the trip is private, you can ask the driver to stop for a break, a snack or a toilet at any time. Rest stops are also built into the plan.
  5. 05Can I cancel or change my booking for the Luxor day?
    A full refund applies if you cancel the Luxor day at least three days before. Cancel the Luxor day later than that but more than a day out, and we return half. Within 24 hours of the Luxor day, or if you miss the pick-up, nothing can be returned.
  6. 06Is this trip private, and how big can the party be?
    Yes, only your party travels with the guide and driver, up to 16 people. You choose the pace and can spend longer at the sites you like. Prices are quoted for your party size when you send a request.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.

Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-MRS-235678

You Might Also Like

Samadai Dolphin House Boat Trip from Marsa AlamMarsa Alam

Samadai Dolphin House Boat Trip from Marsa Alam

A day on a shared boat to Samadai, known as Dolphin House. It is a horseshoe-shaped reef about 30 minutes off the coast, where spinner dolphins often rest. Sightings are likely, though the dolphins are wild and cannot be guaranteed. Swimming is allowed only in the marked zone, and everyone wears a life jacket there. The marine reserve charge and lunch are included.

From £91

Desert Stargazing, Camel Ride and Bedouin Dinner from Marsa AlamMarsa Alam

Desert Stargazing, Camel Ride and Bedouin Dinner from Marsa Alam

A gentle evening in the desert behind Marsa Alam. You ride a camel at sunset for about 45 minutes, eat dinner at a Bedouin camp, then look up at the stars with a guide who points out the constellations. You need a clear night sky, and that depends on the weather. The group is shared with other guests.

From £80

Sunset Quad Safari with Bedouin Dinner from Marsa AlamMarsa Alam

Sunset Quad Safari with Bedouin Dinner from Marsa Alam

A quad bike ride into the desert timed to reach a viewpoint at sunset. After a briefing and practice ride, you follow your guide for about an hour and a half, stop to watch the light change, then eat dinner at a Bedouin camp. You can ride your own quad or share one, and the group is shared with other guests.

From £85