Luxor Day Trip: Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temple

Four ancient sites: Karnak temple, Valley of the Kings tombs, west bank monuments in one day tour

A full-day tour from Marsa Alam to Luxor crosses the Eastern Desert to visit four major pharaonic sites: Karnak Temple (the largest ancient religious site in the world), Valley of the Kings (tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Seti), Temple of Hatshepsut (a three-terraced monument), and the Colossi of Memnon (two 60-foot quartzite statues). The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide in your chosen language, and lunch at a local restaurant. An optional late-afternoon felucca boat ride on the Nile is available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Luxor sightseeing tour

• Cross Eastern Desert to Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Optional felucca boat ride on Nile River

The Experience

The drive from Marsa Alam crosses the Eastern Desert to reach Luxor, a city that holds roughly a third of the world's ancient monuments. Your guide leads you first through Karnak Temple, the largest ancient religious site known anywhere, then to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank: the burial ground of famous pharaohs including Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Seti. At each stop, the guide explains the details of pharaonic civilization and architecture.

After lunch at a local Luxor restaurant, the tour continues to Temple of Hatshepsut, a three-terraced monument connected by ramps and surrounded by a high wall. The guide walks you through each terrace, tracing the temple's rich history. The day ends at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive quartzite statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III standing 60 feet tall on the west bank of the Nile. If you choose the optional felucca boat ride in the late afternoon, you can relax on the traditional wooden sailboat and watch rural life along the riverbank before returning to Marsa Alam.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full 10-hour day.
• guide in your chosen language.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor.
• entry to Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon (entrance fees paid separately).
• optional late-afternoon felucca boat ride on the Nile River.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Marsa Waves Activities

Is this one for you?Book this if you want four major temples in one day on a fixed schedule, or choose the private version to linger at sites that interest you most and set your own pace.

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Top questions

How long does the drive take from Marsa Alam to Luxor?

The full tour lasts 10 hours total, with travel time across the Eastern Desert already included in that duration. The drive itself is a significant part of the day, but the itinerary is built around the travel time needed to reach Luxor from the Red Sea coast.

What is Karnak Temple and why is it worth visiting?

Karnak Temple is the largest ancient religious site known anywhere in the world, located in Luxor. Your guide will walk you through the complex to explain its history and the scale of ancient Egyptian religious architecture.

Can I see the tombs of specific pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings?

Yes, the Valley of the Kings is the burial site of many of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Seti. Your guide explains the details of the tombs and the civilization of that period as you explore.

Is the felucca boat ride on the Nile included in the tour price?

The felucca boat ride in the late afternoon is optional, so you can choose whether to add it. It's a traditional wooden sailboat experience on the Nile where you can watch rural life along the riverbank.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French and five additional languages, so you can choose the language that works best for you when you book.