2-Day Luxor Tour from Hurghada: Karnak, Valley of the Kings

Summary

Luxor Sightseeing Tour with Overnight Nile Stay

You’ll walk through ancient tombs, stand beneath towering statues, and watch sunset over temples—all with a local guide who brings Egypt’s history to life. This two-day trip from Hurghada gives you real time inside Luxor’s most famous sites plus an overnight stay right by the Nile.

What’s the experience like?

The drive out from Hurghada started before sunrise—there’s something about that first light over the desert that sticks with you. Our guide, Ahmed, kept us awake with stories about ancient pharaohs and pointed out tiny villages as we passed. By late morning, we were winding through Luxor’s streets, where donkey carts still share the road with shiny new cars.

First stop: Valley of the Kings. The air felt cooler inside those tombs, a welcome break from the midday sun. We explored three different burial chambers—one unfinished and almost dizzyingly deep (Ahmed said it drops nearly 120 meters!), another covered in bright wall paintings, and one where you could still see a sarcophagus tucked away in a corner. The silence down there is heavy; even my footsteps sounded loud.

After lunch at a local spot (I can still taste that smoky baba ghanoush), we headed to Hatshepsut Temple. It’s carved right into the cliffs—hard to believe it was built thousands of years ago. I remember standing in front of those painted reliefs showing her “divine birth”—the colors are faded but you can pick out blues and reds if you look close. Ahmed explained how Anubis and Hathor each have their own chapels here, which I’d never noticed in photos before.

The Colossi of Memnon were next—two massive statues looming over fields where kids played soccer nearby. They’re weathered but still impressive at 18 meters tall. Sunlight hits them just right in late afternoon; locals say they used to “sing” at dawn because of cracks in the stone.

We ended our day at Luxor Temple as dusk settled in. There’s an obelisk at the entrance—its twin stands all the way in Paris now—which made for a good photo op as lights flickered on around us. Afterward, we checked into a hotel on the East Bank of the Nile; rooms had little balconies facing the river, and I slept with my window cracked open to catch some breeze off the water.

Next morning was all about Karnak Temple—the biggest temple complex I’ve ever seen (and apparently, anywhere). Walking beneath those giant columns makes you feel tiny. Ahmed pointed out spots where locals once tried to chip away pieces for souvenirs ages ago. There’s a whole avenue lined with ram-headed sphinxes leading up to it; he told us about Ramses II signing what’s considered history’s first peace treaty here with tribes from Syria.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hurghada to Luxor Highlights

• Visit Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple
• See Memnon Colossi statues
• Explore Luxor Temple

Day 2 — Explore Karnak Temple

• Tour Karnak Temple complex

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families or people who use wheelchairs?

Yes! The tour is designed for all ages and fitness levels. Wheelchair access is available everywhere, and infant seats or strollers can be arranged if needed.

How many tombs do we visit in Valley of the Kings?

You’ll visit three open tombs during your time at Valley of the Kings—each one offers something unique to see.

What kind of hotel will we stay at?

You’ll spend one night in a comfortable 4-star hotel on the East Bank of the Nile River, breakfast included.

Are meals included?

Lunch is provided during your sightseeing day in Luxor; breakfast comes with your hotel stay.

What’s included

Your overnight stay at a 4-star hotel (with breakfast), all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, lunch during sightseeing, entrance fees for every site listed—including Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings—and support for families or guests needing accessibility features are all part of your tour package.