Luxor Day Trip: Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temples

Four major temples and royal tombs span a single day across the Nile's two banks.

A full-day tour from Cairo to Luxor by round-trip flight, visiting the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple with an Egyptologist guide, lunch at a local restaurant, and hotel pickup in Cairo. The itinerary covers both the West Bank burial sites and the East Bank temple complexes in one journey, with entry to three royal tombs included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings2h · entry included
2. Temple of Hatshepsut1h · entry included
3. Colossi of Memnon30m
4. Karnak Temple2h · entry included

Full day Luxor sightseeing tour

• Meet at Luxor airport
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Transfer to Luxor airport

The experience

Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple anchor the East Bank. The West Bank holds the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple. A guide meets you at your Cairo hotel, transfers you to the airport, and flies with you to Luxor. Once there, the day moves west first to the Valley of the Kings, where you enter three royal tombs (among them King Tutankhamun, Tutmosis I and Ramesses VI), before moving to the Temple of Hatshepsut, built by the only female pharaoh to rule Egypt. You pass the Colossi of Memnon, the remaining statues of Amenhotep III's mortuary temple, on the way.

Lunch happens at a local Egyptian restaurant on the East Bank before the tour continues to Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex in ancient Egypt and dedicated to the god Amon. An air-conditioned vehicle carries you between sites. After Karnak, you transfer back to Luxor airport for the return flight to Cairo, where your guide delivers you to your hotel. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours from hotel to hotel.

What’s included

• Round-trip flight from Cairo to Luxor.
• hotel pickup in Cairo and airport transfers in both cities.
• entry to three tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
• visits to Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• and a professional Egyptologist guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Luxor Private Trips

Is this one for you?The early start and 10- to 12-hour day pack four major temple complexes and royal tombs into one journey, which means you see both riverbanks without returning to Cairo overnight. The flight cuts travel time and lets the guide focus on the sites themselves rather than the road.

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Top questions

What's inside the three tombs included in the Valley of the Kings?

The Valley of the Kings holds the burials of multiple pharaohs across dynasties. Your guide will recommend which three tombs to enter based on what's accessible and best preserved on the day you visit. The most well-known include King Tutankhamun, Tutmosis I, Tutmosis III, Ramesses VI, Mrenptah and Amenhotep II.

Is the flight from Cairo to Luxor included in the price?

Yes, the round-trip flight Cairo to Luxor and back is included, along with airport transfers in both cities and hotel pickup in Cairo.

How much walking is involved across the four temples?

The Valley of the Kings requires walking into and through the tombs themselves. Hatshepsut Temple and Karnak Temple both involve walking their grounds and interiors. An air-conditioned vehicle moves you between all sites, so the walking happens at each stop rather than between them.

What does lunch include?

Lunch is at a local Egyptian restaurant on the East Bank, included in the tour price. Bottled water is also provided throughout the day.

Will I have a guide who speaks English?

Yes, a qualified professional Egyptologist guide who speaks English accompanies you for the entire day, from Cairo hotel to Luxor and back.