Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada: Karnak & Valley of the Kings

Three temples and a sail on the Nile in a single day from the Red Sea coast

A private day tour from Hurghada to Luxor takes you to Karnak Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Valley of the Kings with a qualified Egyptologist guide, hot air balloon ride, and one-hour felucca sail. You visit the royal tombs and temple complexes that anchor Egypt's ancient history, then float downriver on a traditional wooden boat before returning to your hotel.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 200 to US$ 280 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Excludes entry fees 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00 Guide in English Includes only the guide and private car; pickup is included

All-inclusive with Lunch 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00 Guide in English Includes tickets, guide, car and lunch; pickup is included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Luxor's ancient sites and Nile ride

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Hatshepsut Temple
• Tour Karnak Temple
• Enjoy Felucca sail boat ride

Stops and time spent at each 4 stops

1. Valley of the Kings Entry included 2h
2. Temple of Hatshepsut Entry included 1h 30m
3. Karnak Temple Entry included 2h
4. Felucca Experience - Harmony Travel Luxor Entry included 1h

What’s included

• Hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
• air-conditioned private vehicle for the full day.
• qualified Egyptologist guide speaking English.
• entry to Karnak Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Valley of the Kings.
• one-hour felucca sail on the Nile.
• bottle of water during the tour.

Times

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• Every day 04:00 04:30 05:00

Information

Day trip from Hurghada to Luxor with private guide, hot air balloon ride, felucca sail on the Nile, and entry to Karnak Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Valley of the Kings.

Group Private 4 similar group tours ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 4 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The day starts before dawn so you can catch the hot air balloon at sunrise over Luxor's West Bank: the balloon lifts off over the Valley of the Kings and the surrounding desert, giving you the scale of the monuments before you step inside them. After landing, you head to the Valley of the Kings itself, where the tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun lie carved into the rock. A qualified Egyptologist guide walks you through the painted chambers and explains the hieroglyphics and burial rituals. The air-conditioned vehicle moves you between sites, and a bottle of water travels with you through the day.

Next comes the Temple of Hatshepsut, the mortuary temple of Egypt's female pharaoh, built into the cliff face in three terraces. Then you reach Karnak Temple, the vast complex of pylons, courts and sanctuaries dedicated to Amun-Ra. Both sites sit on the Nile's west bank, and the scale of the carved reliefs and standing columns is something a photograph does not prepare you for. Entry to all three archaeological sites is included in the tour price.

The felucca ride (a one-hour sail on a traditional wooden boat) happens on the Nile itself, letting you see the river the way ancient Egypt saw it. You return to Hurghada in the late afternoon. The tour runs as a private booking, so the pace and stops follow your interests, and the guide answers questions as they come up. Two purchase options are available: all-inclusive with lunch, or entry fees paid separately at each site.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Can I really see the tomb of King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings?

The Valley of the Kings holds the tombs of many pharaohs, including Tutankhamun's, though the most precious artifacts were moved to museums. The tomb itself is open to visitors and shows the burial chamber where Howard Carter made his famous discovery in 1922.

What's the Temple of Hatshepsut, and why is it built into the cliff?

The Temple of Hatshepsut is the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's few female pharaohs. It rises in three terraces against the cliff face on the west bank of the Nile, designed to blend the temple with the landscape itself.

How does the hot air balloon ride work on this tour?

The balloon launches at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings and the West Bank, giving you an aerial view of the monuments and desert before you visit them on foot. The flight lasts about an hour, and you land before heading to the first temple.

Is lunch included, or do I need to arrange it myself?

You can choose the all-inclusive option with lunch included, or the option where you pay entry fees separately and arrange your own meal. Both are available at checkout.

How long is the felucca ride, and what should I bring?

The felucca sail lasts one hour on the Nile in a traditional wooden boat. Bring sunscreen and a hat. A bottle of water is provided during the tour, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps you cool between sites.

Operated by Icon Tours Egypt. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago