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

Four ancient temples and royal tombs in a single day across the Nile.

A private day trip from Sharm el Sheikh to Luxor by domestic flight, with hotel pickup, English-speaking Egyptologist guide, lunch and all transfers included. You visit three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, explore the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, pause at the Colossi of Memnon, then cross to the eastern bank to walk the Karnak Temple complex before flying back to Sharm el Sheikh the same evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings2h · entry included
2. Temple of Hatshepsut2h · entry included
3. Colossi of Memnon30m
4. Karnak Temple2h · entry included

Full-day Luxor sightseeing tour

• Pickup from hotel at 4:30 am
• Transfer to Sharm el Sheikh airport
• Flight to Luxor at 6 am
• Arrive in Luxor around 7 am
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Explore Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch break
• Cross to eastern Nile bank
• Tour Karnak Temple complex
• Transfer to Luxor airport
• Flight back to Sharm el Sheikh
• Transfer to hotel

The experience

The day starts at 4:30 am with pickup from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh. A one-hour Egypt Air domestic flight lands you in Luxor by 7 am, where your guide meets you. From there, the itinerary moves west across the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, where you enter three royal tombs carved into the limestone cliffs. The scale and detail of the burial chambers (the painted walls, the carved hieroglyphics, the layout of each tomb) give a direct sense of how the ancient Egyptians prepared for the afterlife.

After the valley, you visit the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahary, a mortuary temple built into the cliff face itself. On the return journey, you stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive seated statues of Amenhotep III that stand alone in the Theban Necropolis. Lunch follows, then you cross to the eastern bank, Thebes-East, to explore Karnak Temple, a sprawling complex with a sacred lake, towering columns and layers of construction from multiple dynasties. The guide provides context at each site, but the scale of the ruins speaks for itself.

In the late afternoon, you transfer back to Luxor airport for the return flight to Sharm el Sheikh, arriving at your hotel by evening. The entire day is arranged: your guide handles the sites, the driver manages the transfers, and lunch is included. You bring only water and a camera.

What’s included

• Private tour with professional Egyptologist guide in English.
• hotel pickup and return to your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.
• all ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles with qualified driver.
• lunch.
• bottle of mineral water.
• taxes and charges.

Options for this experience

3 options

Car with driver onlyGuide in 5 languages · 04:30Car with driver, pickup is included

Car and guide onlyGuide in 5 languages · 04:30Car and guide, pickup is included

Car, guide and entry feesGuide in 5 languages · 04:30Car, guide and entry fees, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30

Book up to2h 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.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Luxor Private Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're flying in from Sharm el Sheikh and want to see both banks of the Nile in a single day: the pace works because a private guide moves you efficiently between Karnak, the Colossi of Memnon, and the royal tombs without backtracking.

Traveler reviews

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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 exactly is inside the Valley of the Kings tombs that I'll see?

The Valley of the Kings contains royal burial chambers carved deep into the rock. You visit three tombs, each with painted walls, carved hieroglyphics and burial chambers that show how the ancient Egyptians prepared for the afterlife. The tombs vary in size and decoration, but all reveal the scale of effort invested in royal burials.

How much walking and climbing is involved in a day like this?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The Valley of the Kings involves walking into and through the tombs, some of which require climbing stairs inside the chambers. The Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple both involve walking across open ground and through columned halls, but the pace is set by the group and the guide. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Is the flight time included in the 12-hour day, or does the day start after I land?

The 12-hour duration includes everything from the 4:30 am hotel pickup through the return to your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh. The one-hour flight to Luxor and the return flight are part of that time. You land in Luxor around 7 am and begin exploring immediately with your guide.

What's the difference between the three purchase options?

You choose one option at checkout: Car + Guide includes the private vehicle, driver, guide and transfers but not entry fees to the sites; Car With Driver includes the vehicle and driver only, without a guide; Car + Guide + Entry Fees includes everything. Vehicle, driver, guide, entry to all four sites and lunch. The guide is an Egyptologist who speaks English and other languages.

Do I need to buy the flight tickets separately, or are they included?

Flight tickets from Sharm el Sheikh to Luxor and back are not included in the tour price. You arrange and pay for the domestic Egypt Air flights separately. The tour operator coordinates the timing with the flights and arranges all ground transport and site access.