Egypt Discovery
ExcursionSharm

Luxor Day Trip from Sharm El Sheikh by Air – Valley & Karnak

16 hours, private. Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Karnak and lunch, with airport transfers.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private 16-hour day trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor with return domestic flights, a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak, and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Sharm El Sheikh · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
Includes
Economy flights from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor and back, booked by us · Private transfers to and from the airport in Sharm El Sheikh · Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Luxor · A private English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide · Admission to the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April has the most comfortable temperatures in Luxor. In summer it is extremely hot, and the Valley of the Kings is best seen early in the day.

  • Egyptian tour operator since 1988, with an office in Sharm El Sheikh
  • IATA member, holding ETAA Licence 718 (Category A)

02Overview

A first look

This private day trip flies you from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor and back in about 16 hours. A driver takes you to the airport very early, and you fly to Luxor, direct on certain days and via Cairo on others, as the airline's timetable dictates. A private Egyptologist and driver meet you on arrival, then guide you to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak, with lunch between. You fly home in the evening. Domestic flights are booked by us and included. A full Egypt visa is needed, as the free Sinai-only stamp does not cover Luxor.

Background

The facts

Luxor is in Upper Egypt, reached from Sharm El Sheikh by a domestic flight that is direct on some days and through Cairo on others. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak are a short drive from Luxor Airport.

Named in this entry

Sharm El Sheikh·Into the Valley of the Kings

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers on a Sharm holiday with a full Egypt visa who want to see Luxor's temples and tombs in a day with a private guide.

Maybe not, if

  • Anyone without a full Egypt visa, or who cannot cope with a very early start, heat and a 16-hour day.

What lingers

  • 01Return domestic flights from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor, booked by us in economy class
  • 02Your own Egyptologist guide and air-conditioned vehicle, for your party alone
  • 03The Valley of the Kings, with three tombs on the standard ticket
  • 04The Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank
  • 05Karnak Temple, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, in the afternoon
  • 06Lunch at a local restaurant, with private transfers at each airport

Honest assessment

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

Highlights

  • No overnight stay or hotel change
  • Private guide and vehicle, so you set the pace
  • Flights, tickets and lunch all included

Things to Consider

  • Very early start and late finish
  • Flight times, and whether you connect through Cairo, depend on the airline

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Economy flights from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor and back, booked by us
  • Private transfers to and from the airport in Sharm El Sheikh
  • Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Luxor
  • A private English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide
  • Admission to the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple
  • Lunch at a restaurant in Luxor
  • Drinking water

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Tombs that need an extra ticket (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses V and VI)
  • Drinks with your lunch
  • Your own spending money

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask your guide to visit the Valley of the Kings first, before the heat and the coaches build up

  2. 02

    Keep a bottle of water with you through Karnak, as there is little shade

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

The price for children on this private trip is shown when you enter their ages in your booking request. From the age of 2, every child must have their own seat on the flight. The day starts very early and finishes late, so please consider whether your child can manage it.

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

1Sharm el-Sheikh2Luxor

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does the price for the private Luxor trip work?
    The price is per person and falls as your party grows, because the guide and vehicle are shared between you. It includes flights, transfers, guide, tickets and lunch. Prices are provisional until our team confirms your booking, and we confirm availability and flights before payment.
  2. 02Do I need a full Egypt visa for Luxor?
    Yes. The free entry stamp for Sharm El Sheikh and the rest of Sinai does not cover Luxor, so a full Egypt visa is needed. Please check this before you book, and bring your passport on the day, as you need it at the airport.
  3. 03What time will I be collected?
    Collection is very early in the morning, and the exact time follows the airline schedule on your date. The flight is direct on some days, otherwise it goes through Cairo. We confirm your times after accepting the booking. The flight back leaves in the evening.
  4. 04Can my children come, and do they need a flight seat?
    Children are welcome. The price for children is shown when you enter their ages in the request. Flights need a seat from age 2, so the cost rises at that age. The day is long and hot, so consider how your child copes with heat and a long day before you book.
  5. 05What should I wear and bring for Luxor?
    Bring your passport and a full Egypt visa, a hat, sun cream and some cash for optional tickets. Wear comfortable closed shoes, because the ground is uneven. Light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees suits the heat and the temples. Carry water for the walking.
  6. 06What is the cancellation policy, and who operates the trip?
    Cancel three or more days before for a full refund, and between three days and 24 hours before for half. Inside 24 hours, nothing is refunded. We are an Egyptian operator (ETAA Licence 718), not an ATOL or ABTA member, and we do not sell international flights. The trip is private.

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-SHM-776360

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