2-Day Luxor and Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh by Plane

Two days, two cities, eight ancient temples and tombs in one trip

A 2-day private tour from Sharm El Sheikh that flies you to Luxor on day one and Cairo on day two, with an Egyptologist guide, domestic flights, one night's hotel stay in Luxor, and return to Sharm El Sheikh. Day one covers the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple on the Nile's west and east banks. Day two moves to Cairo for the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Salah El-Din, and Muhammad Ali Mosque before flying back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Luxor Flight and Historical Tour

• Fly from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor
• Meet Egyptologist guide
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• See Howard Carter's mud-brick house
• Tour Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit alabaster factory
• Explore Valley of Nobles tombs
• Visit Ramesseum Temple
• Experience Habiba hand weaving
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Explore Karnak Temple Complex
• Visit Luxor Temple and check in hotel

Day 2: Cairo Flight and City Tour

• Fly from Luxor to Cairo
• Tour Giza Pyramids Complex
• Visit Great Sphinx
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Tour Egyptian Museum
• Visit Citadel of Salah El-Din
• Explore Muhammad Ali Mosque
• Shop at Khan El Khalili bazaar
• Fly back to Sharm El Sheikh and transfer to hotel

The experience

You leave Sharm El Sheikh early on a short flight to Luxor, where an Egyptologist guide meets you at the airport. The day moves through the west bank's burial sites: the Valley of the Kings with its decorated pharaonic tombs, the Temple of Hatshepsut built into the cliffs for Egypt's only female pharaoh, and the Ramesseum, the mortuary temple of Ramses II. You stop at a working alabaster factory to watch artisans shape stone the way ancient Egyptians did, then visit the Valley of the Nobles, where over 400 tombs of high officials line the foothills. A hand-weaving workshop on the west bank shows you how local women still work cotton on traditional looms. After a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, you cross back to the east bank for Karnak Temple Complex with its massive Hypostyle Hall, then Luxor Temple in the city center before checking into your hotel.

The second morning you fly to Cairo. The Giza Pyramids Complex opens the day: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, with the Great Sphinx standing guard nearby. Lunch is at a local restaurant serving authentic Egyptian food. The Egyptian Museum holds Tutankhamun's treasures, royal mummies, and artifacts spanning Egypt's dynasties. The Citadel of Salah El-Din, built in the 12th century, commands views across Cairo and houses the Muhammad Ali Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque for its stone. Khan El Khalili, Cairo's historic bazaar, gives you time to walk the narrow alleys, haggle with vendors, and buy handicrafts and spices. You fly back to Sharm El Sheikh in the evening and transfer to your hotel.

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language throughout. All transfers from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel to the airports, between sites, and back are by private air-conditioned vehicle. Breakfast and lunch are included. One night's accommodation is in Luxor. The domestic flights (Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor, Luxor to Cairo, Cairo back to Sharm El Sheikh) are round-trip. Service charges and taxes are built into the price.

What’s included

• Qualified Egyptologist guide in your chosen language.
• all domestic round-trip flights between Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, and Cairo.
• private air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout.
• hotel pickup and return.
• one night's accommodation in Luxor.
• breakfast and lunch.
• all service charges and taxes.

Information

Lasts 2d, runs every day, 7 start times, from US$ 780 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: 03:00, 03:30, 04:00, 04:30, 05:00, 05:30 and 06:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate2 in a group ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and ItalianOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt Best Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're splitting time between Sharm El Sheikh and Egypt's highlights: one day covers Luxor's temples and tombs, the next Cairo's pyramids and museums, with flights and transfers included.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What's inside the Valley of the Kings that makes it worth a full morning?

The Valley of the Kings holds the decorated burial tombs of Egypt's pharaohs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun. Your Egyptologist guide walks you through the richly carved chambers and explains the hieroglyphs and scenes painted on the walls, which tell the story of the pharaoh's journey to the afterlife.

Can I see both the Giza Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum in one afternoon?

Yes. Day two starts at the Giza Pyramids Complex in the morning, includes lunch, then moves to the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon, where you have a guided tour of the key exhibits including Tutankhamun's treasures and royal mummies before heading to the Citadel and Khan El Khalili bazaar.

How much time do I spend flying versus touring?

The flights are short: Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo are both under two hours each. Most of each day is spent on the ground with your guide visiting temples, tombs, and museums. The evening flight back to Sharm El Sheikh happens after the day's touring is done.

What happens if I want to buy souvenirs in Cairo?

Khan El Khalili bazaar is the last stop on day two before your evening flight back. You have time to wander the narrow alleys, shop for Egyptian handicrafts, jewelry, and spices, and interact with local vendors in this historic market.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the airport in Sharm El Sheikh?

No. Hotel pickup and return are included. A private air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, takes you to the airport, and brings you back after you land on day two.