Luxor Day Trip from Cairo by Plane: Valley of the Kings & Karnak

Summary

From Cairo to Luxor’s ancient tombs and temples in a single day

You’ll wake before sunrise in Cairo for a flight south to Luxor, where ancient Egypt comes alive on a day trip packed with history: walk beneath Karnak’s stone giants, wander painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings, share lunch by the Nile with your guide — and fly home with sand on your shoes and stories to tell.

What’s the experience like?

"You’re going to want coffee for this," our driver grinned at 3:30am as we climbed into the car outside our Cairo hotel. I was barely awake, honestly — but somehow that made the flight over the desert feel even more surreal. The city lights faded fast, then just endless sand and that slow blue dawn. By the time we landed in Luxor, I’d woken up enough to notice how different the air felt — warmer, drier, with a faint sweetness from the Nile nearby.

Our guide, Ahmed (he held up a sign with my name — always a relief), wasted no time. He had this way of weaving stories as we drove: pointing out sugarcane fields or explaining why Karnak Temple feels like its own little city. Walking through those massive columns at Karnak, you could smell dust and old stone; Ahmed traced his fingers along some faded hieroglyphs and told us which pharaoh built what. I tried repeating one of the names — failed spectacularly — he laughed and said even locals get tongue-tied sometimes.

The Valley of the Kings was quieter than I expected. Inside one tomb it was cool and close, colors still bright after all these centuries. There’s something about seeing brushstrokes from thousands of years ago that makes your own life feel tiny (in a good way). Lunch was at a small place by the river — grilled chicken and rice, nothing fancy but honestly perfect after hours in the sun. The day blurred together after that: Hatshepsut’s temple shimmering against cliffs, those giant Colossi just standing there like they’d always been part of the landscape. We didn’t go inside Tutankhamun’s tomb (not included), but it didn’t matter. By evening I was sunburned and tired in that happy way you only get when you’ve seen too much in one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour of Luxor highlights

• Pickup from Cairo hotel at 3:30 am
• Transfer to Cairo domestic airport
• Flight to Luxor
• Meet tour guide in Luxor
• Transfer by private A/C vehicle
• Visit the Valley of the Kings
• Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit the Colossi of Memnon
• Visit the Luxor Temple
• Visit the Karnak Temple Complex
• Transfer to Luxor domestic airport at 10:00 pm
• Flight back to Cairo
• Meet local representative in Cairo
• Transfer to Cairo hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Cairo to Luxor by plane?

The tour starts around 3:30am with pickup in Cairo and returns late evening after your flight back from Luxor.

Are domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor included?

Yes, if you select that option during booking, round-trip flights are included.

Is lunch provided on this Luxor day trip?

Yes, lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant is included.

Can I enter King Tutankhamun's tomb on this tour?

No, entry to Tutankhamun's tomb is not included in this tour.

What sites do we visit in Luxor?

You’ll visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut’s Temple at Deir el-Bahari, Valley of the Kings, and see the Colossi of Memnon.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, pickup from your Cairo hotel and return drop-off are both included.

Do I need to provide my passport details when booking?

Yes, you’ll need to upload a copy photo of your passport during booking for flight arrangements.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Cairo, round-trip flights (if selected), all entry fees for major sites like Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, private air-conditioned transport throughout Luxor with a knowledgeable local guide who shares stories along the way, plus lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant before your return flight home.