Luxor is often described as an open-air museum, and it is easy to see why. A cluster of temples sits on the east bank, a valley of tombs across the river, and more sites within an hour or two. A short plan keeps you from being overwhelmed.
The two essential days
The West Bank day covers the Valley of the Kings, the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, often with Medinet Habu. The East Bank day brings Karnak and Luxor Temple, which are close together and both beautiful in the evening light. Doing them on separate days avoids fatigue.
A day beyond Luxor
Dendera, about an hour north by road, has one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, including a painted ceiling and rooftop chapels. With Abydos, it makes a long day. The trip suits those who have done the main sights and want somewhere less crowded.
Shorter and lighter options
If your time is short, half-day tours of Karnak, the Valley of the Queens or the museums fit into a morning. For a change of pace, a private motorboat to Banana Island or a horse carriage ride through the market fills an evening, while a quad ride on the West Bank adds a bit of adventure.
- Full day, West Bank: tombs, Hatshepsut and the Colossi.
- Half day, East Bank: Karnak, and Luxor Temple in the evening.
- Full day by road: Dendera and Abydos.
- Evening: Banana Island, a carriage ride or a sound and light show.
- Dawn: a hot air balloon over the West Bank, weather permitting.
Putting a few days together
In three days, do the West Bank, then the East Bank, then an easy day with a river trip or museum. In four or five, add Dendera and a balloon. Remember that the heat from May to September makes the tombs hard going after about ten in the morning.
Private days, long or short
Most of the temple trips in Luxor are private, so you choose the start time and the pace. This matters in the heat, because you can arrive at the Valley of the Kings early and be gone before the crowds. The activity trips, such as the quad safari and the boat to Banana Island, are private too, so a family or a group of friends has the guide to itself. Each trip page states which format it uses.
What to leave out
You cannot do everything, and trying to will spoil the trip. If you have only two days, skip Dendera and the museums. If you dislike early starts, skip the balloon. If you do not like crowds, choose the early morning for Karnak and the evening for Luxor Temple. Accept that you will leave things for another visit, and enjoy what you do see properly.
Book the longer trips first, such as the West Bank day and Dendera, then fill the gaps with lighter outings. We can adjust times if you are on a Nile cruise or have flights. If you change your mind, let us know the evening before, and we will check availability.
Whatever you choose, plan around the sun. In the cooler months you have more freedom; in the hot months, tombs and temples before ten and river trips after four make sense. A hotel pool at midday is part of the plan, not a waste of time. Good planning is the difference between enjoying Luxor and enduring it.
Browse the trips, check current dates and book online.
Plan with us
Luxor day trips: temples, tombs, river and a little adventure
East Bank, West Bank, Dendera, a balloon at dawn, a river ride at dusk. Sort the Luxor day trips by length and effort and plan your days.