Luxor Day Trip: Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temple Tour

Royal tombs, a queen's temple, and Egypt's largest sanctuary in one day

A private guided day trip from Hurghada to Luxor takes you through the West Bank's royal tombs and monuments, then across to Karnak Temple on the East Bank. Your Egyptologist guide leads you through the Valley of the Kings (which holds more than 64 tombs), then to the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon before lunch at a local restaurant. The tour includes hotel pickup, private air-conditioned transport, and your choice of guide and entrance fees at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Sand City Hurghada4h
2. Valley of the Kings2h
3. Temple of Hatshepsut1h
4. Colossi of Memnon20m
5. Karnak Temple6h

Luxor day trip from Hurghada

• Pick up from Hurghada hotel
• Drive to Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon and have lunch
• Visit Karnak Temple on East Bank
• Drive back to Hurghada

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hurghada hotel and a drive to Luxor. Once there, you head straight to the Valley of the Kings, where your guide walks you through the royal burial chambers carved into the rock face. The tombs retain their original painted colors: a detail most visitors expect to fade over millennia but find remarkably intact. Your Egyptologist explains the hieroglyphics and the rituals that shaped these underground passages.

After the Valley, you visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, built by the female pharaoh who ruled Egypt for 22 years. The temple rises in terraces against the cliffs, and your guide contextualizes her reign and the construction itself. You then stop at the Colossi of Memnon (two massive statues of King Amenhotep III that once guarded his funerary temple) before breaking for lunch at a local restaurant. This meal is included in the full-day package, giving you a chance to rest before the afternoon stretch.

The final leg crosses to the East Bank and Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in ancient Egypt. Your guide navigates the forest of columns, the hypostyle hall, and the inner sanctuaries dedicated to Amun, the chief god of the Egyptian pantheon. The scale and detail of the carvings make this stop the visual anchor of the day. You then drive back to Hurghada, arriving in the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in a private air-conditioned minivan.
• an English-speaking Egyptologist guide (available as an option at checkout).
• entrance fees to Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple (available as an option).
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• a bottle of water during the tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide, car and lunchGuide in English · 04:30, 05:00 and 05:30Guide, car and lunch, with pickup included

Car + Guide + Lunch + Entrance feesGuide in English · 04:30, 05:00 and 05:30Car, guide, lunch and entrance fees, pickup is included

Car onlyGuide in English · 04:30, 05:00 and 05:30Car only, includes pickup

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:30, 05:00 and 05:30

Book up to1d before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 32 pickup points.

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt Best Day Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're traveling from Hurghada and want both banks covered in one day with your own Egyptologist and air-conditioned minivan, moving between Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Hatshepsut's Temple at your own pace.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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.

What exactly is inside the Valley of the Kings that makes it worth a full stop?

The Valley of the Kings holds more than 64 royal tombs carved into the rock, many still bearing their original painted wall decorations and hieroglyphic inscriptions. Your guide walks you through the burial chambers and explains the rituals and beliefs that shaped their design.

How much time do I spend at each major site during the day?

The itinerary includes substantial time at the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Karnak Temple, with a lunch break at a local restaurant. The full day runs roughly 13 hours from hotel pickup to return, accounting for the drive to and from Hurghada.

Do I need to book entrance fees in advance, or can I add them at checkout?

Entrance fees are optional at checkout. You can book the guide and transport alone, or add fees for all sites to your booking. Your guide can help navigate the sites either way, though having fees pre-paid streamlines entry.

What is the Colossi of Memnon, and why is it a stop on this tour?

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of King Amenhotep III that once stood at the entrance to his funerary temple on Luxor's West Bank. They are iconic monuments in their own right and offer a striking photo opportunity before lunch.