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

What's left standing after 3,400 years? Two colossal statues and four temples that explain why ancient Egypt still matters.

You spend a full day traveling from Hurghada to Luxor's four major archaeological sites with a private guide and driver. You walk through the Valley of the Kings, climb the terraces of Hatshepsut's temple, see the Colossi of Memnon, and explore Karnak's vast temple complex. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. The private format means no group waits and your guide explains what you're actually looking at, not just where to stand. Bring water, sunscreen, and cash for entry fees and tips.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Valley of the KingsEntry included2h
2. Temple of HatshepsutEntry included1h
3. Colossi of Memnon5m
4. Karnak TempleEntry included2h

Explore Luxor's West and East Banks

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Tour Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon statues
• Enjoy lunch in Luxor
• Explore Karnak Temple Complex

The experience

What would you see if you had a full day and an Egyptologist who actually knew what they were talking about? That's the setup here. You're leaving Hurghada early, heading inland to Luxor with a private driver and a guide fluent in multiple languages, and you're not stopping until you've stood in front of the Valley of the Kings, walked the terraces of the Temple of Hatshepsut, seen the 18-meter Colossi of Memnon still standing after millennia, and walked through the forest of columns at Karnak Temple. The day trip to Luxor from Hurghada covers a lot of ground, but it's structured so you're not rushing. Each stop has time to actually look, not just photograph and move on.

The Valley of the Kings is where the real weight hits. More than 60 tombs carved into the desert rock, some of them the burial chambers of pharaohs whose names you know: Tutankhamun among them, discovered here in 1922. The walls inside are still painted with hieroglyphs and scenes of the journey to the afterlife, and your guide walks you through what you're actually looking at instead of leaving you to guess. After that, the Temple of Hatshepsut rises out of the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari, all terraces and reliefs carved into the stone itself. It's one of the most photographed temples in Luxor, and once you're there you understand why. The scale and the setting do something to how you stand.

Lunch happens at one of Luxor's better restaurants, which means you're not eating from a buffet line or a tourist trap. Then you move to the Colossi of Memnon: two statues representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III, each one 60 feet high, guarding what used to be his mortuary temple. They've survived floods and earthquakes for over 3,400 years and they look it, but that's part of what makes them real. The day ends at Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in the ancient world, built over 2,000 years by successive pharaohs. The Great Hypostyle Hall alone, a forest of gigantic columns, is the kind of space that makes you feel small in a way that matters.

Your private car means no group stops, no waiting for stragglers, and the Egyptologist guide means you're not reading plaques or guessing at what you're seeing. The air-conditioned vehicle matters on a day like this. You're covering distance and the heat is real. Entry fees to the sites aren't included, so budget for that separately, and tipping your driver and guide is expected. The tour is built for people with moderate fitness. There's walking, some of it in heat, and some uneven terrain, but nothing extreme.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation from your Hurghada hotel, a private Egyptologist guide fluent in multiple languages, lunch at a local restaurant, and visits to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak Temple. Entry fees to each site and gratuities for your driver and guide are paid separately.

Options for this experience

2 options

Car+Guide+Entry+LunchGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 03:30, the last at 06:30Pickup is included

Different languageGuide in 4 languages · 7 departure times: the first at 03:30, the last at 06:30Pickup is included, with guides in French, German or Italian

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

Before you book

Lasts 9h–12h, runs every day, 7 start times, from US$ 128.58 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: the first at 03:30, the last at 06:30

Book up to4h before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Luxor Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Luxor's major archaeological sites in one day without arranging your own transport, hiring a guide separately, or navigating timing between four different locations: the private format and included guide mean you spend your time looking, not organizing.

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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): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Hurghada to Luxor?

The drive is approximately 4-5 hours each way, depending on traffic and exact hotel location. The full day trip includes all travel time.

What's included and what do I pay separately?

Included: private car, Egyptologist guide, lunch, and air-conditioned transport. Not included: entry fees to Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak Temple. Tipping your driver and guide is customary.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is wheelchair accessible in terms of transportation and some areas, but the sites themselves involve walking on uneven terrain and climbing. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Check with the operator about specific accessibility needs.

How many people are in the group?

This is a private tour, so it's just your group in the vehicle with your own guide and driver.

What should I bring?

Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and cash for entry fees and tips. The day involves several hours outdoors in the heat.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch at one of Luxor's restaurants is included in the tour.