Dendera and Abydos Temples Day Tour from Luxor

Two of Egypt's most intact temples in one day, without arranging the drive yourself

A day tour from Luxor to the Dendera Temple of Hathor and the Abydos Temple of Osiris, with private air-conditioned transport, a licensed guide, entry fees and hotel pickup. The tour covers 135 kilometers north of Luxor and runs about eight hours, visiting two of the most complete temples in Egypt with paintings and reliefs still vivid on their walls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Abydos4h
2. Dendera4h

Visit Abydos and Dendera Temples

• Pickup from Luxor hotel at 7:00 am
• Drive to Abydos city
• Visit Abydos Temple
• Drive to Dendera
• Visit Dendera Temple
• Return to Luxor hotel by 5:00 pm

The experience

The day starts at 7:00 am with pickup from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise ship. A licensed guide meets you and transfers you by private air-conditioned vehicle north toward Abydos, about 135 kilometers away. The Abydos Temple, built by King Seti I and completed by King Ramesses II, sits in Sohag Governorate and honors the god Osiris, the ancient Egyptian lord of the underworld. The paintings of gods and pharaohs on the temple walls are among the most beautifully preserved in all of Egypt: the colors and detail survive in ways few other sites can match.

After Abydos, the tour continues south to Dendera, where the Temple of Hathor sits at the north edge of Luxor. This temple, dedicated to the goddess of love and joy, may be the best-preserved in Egypt, with full color still visible on its walls and columns. The intricate reliefs and inscriptions tell stories of Egyptian mythology and religious practice. You return to your hotel around 5:00 pm.

The tour includes all transport by private vehicle, a bottle of water, and hotel or port pickup and drop-off. Depending on which option you choose at checkout, the package may also include a guide, entry fees to both temples, and lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant. If you select the guide option, your tour will be led in English, Spanish, German or Arabic.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• hotel or Nile cruise pickup and drop-off in Luxor.
• a bottle of water.
• entry fees to both Dendera and Abydos temples (if your option includes them).
• a licensed Egyptologist guide in your choice of language (if selected).
• lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant (if selected).

Options for this experience

4 options

Car with driver onlyGuide in 4 languages · 06:00Car with driver only

Car and tour guide onlyGuide in 4 languages · 06:00Car and tour guide only

Car, guide and entrance fees includedGuide in 4 languages · 06:00Car, guide and entrance fees included

Includes car, guide, entrance fees and lunchGuide in 4 languages · 06:00Includes car, guide, entrance fees and lunch

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 06:00, from US$ 60 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00Other times ›

Book up to1d before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and ArabicOther languages ›

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Emo Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?Book the Car + Guide + Entry fees + Lunch option if you want the temples explained and a meal included without stopping to arrange either one yourself. Choose Car + Guide + Entry fees if you prefer to eat on your own schedule. The car-and-driver-only option works if you are comfortable navigating the sites independently and want to keep the cost down.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

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

How far is Abydos Temple from Luxor, and how long does the drive take?

Abydos Temple sits about 135 kilometers north of Luxor. The drive north takes several hours, which is why the full tour runs about eight hours total and includes both temples.

What makes the paintings at these temples so well preserved compared to other Egyptian sites?

The Abydos Temple walls hold some of the most beautifully preserved paintings of gods and pharaohs in Egypt, and the Dendera Temple retains full color on its walls and columns. A rarity that makes both sites stand out among ancient Egyptian temples.

Can I choose to skip the guide and just have the driver?

Yes. You can book the tour with just the car and driver, or add a guide, entry fees, and lunch depending on which option suits your needs at checkout.

What's included in the lunch option?

Lunch at a local restaurant serves Egyptian food and is available as part of the Car + Guide + Entry fees + Lunch option at checkout.

Do I need to arrange my own entry to the temples?

Entry fees are included if you select one of the options that covers them at checkout. If you book the car-and-driver-only option, you would arrange entry yourself.