Private Luxor and Karnak Temples Tour: Half-Day East Bank

Stand inside two of Egypt's greatest temple complexes in a single morning, with a guide who reads the hieroglyphics on the walls.

A private half-day tour of Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on Luxor's East Bank, guided by an Egyptologist and including hotel pickup, private vehicle transport and entrance tickets. The tour runs about four hours from your hotel or Nile cruise, with the guide explaining the history and layout of both complexes as you walk through them. You choose your language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or another), and can add lunch or optional activities at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Luxor Temple2h
2. Karnak Temple2h

Visit Karnak and Luxor Temples

• Pickup from hotel or Nile cruise
• Transfer to East Bank by private A/C vehicle
• Visit Karnak Temple for 3 hours
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Drive back to hotel or Luxor airport

The experience

How do you see two of ancient Egypt's most significant temple sites without spending a full day or figuring out transport on your own? This tour picks you up from your Luxor hotel or cruise ship at a time you request, then drives you by private air-conditioned vehicle to the East Bank. Your Egyptologist guide meets you there and stays with you through both stops, explaining the layout, the gods each temple honored, and the dynasties that built and rebuilt them over centuries.

Karnak Temple comes first: a vast complex of decayed temples, chapels and pylons that was the greatest example of worship in Egyptian history, dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu. You spend around three hours there, walking through the structures with your guide. Then you move on to Luxor Temple, built by Amunhotep III in the 18th Dynasty and completed by Ramesses II in the 19th. Both sites sit on the same bank of the Nile, so the drive between them is short. When the tour ends, the driver takes you back to your hotel or to Luxor airport if that's where you need to be.

The private vehicle and guide are included no matter which option you choose at checkout. Entrance tickets to both temples are included if you select that option. Bottled water comes with every booking. If you want lunch during the tour, you can add it, and the guide can arrange other optional activities depending on what interests you.

What’s included

• Private Egyptologist guide in your choice of language.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup and return transport.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for the full tour.
• bottled water.
• entrance tickets to both temples if you select that option at checkout.
• lunch if you add it at checkout.

Options for this experience

5 options

Private carUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30Pickup is included.

Car + GuideUp to 30 per booking · Guide in English · 15:00 and 15:30Includes a private tour guide and a private car. Pickup is included.

Car, guide and entry feesUp to 30 per booking · Guide in English · 15:00 and 15:30Includes pickup.

See 2 more options

East Bank, featuring sound and lightUp to 30 per booking · Guide in English · 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30The East Bank with Sound and Light show includes tickets, private transport and a private tour guide. Pickup is included.

Tour available in other languagesUp to 30 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30Available in German, Italian, Spanish and French. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Lasts 4h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 18.21 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30

Book up toStart time

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Luxor Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private vehicle and guide for both Karnak and Luxor temples on your schedule, or pick a shared group tour if you prefer to travel with others and follow set times.

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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 is Karnak Temple and why does the tour spend three hours there?

Karnak Temple is a vast complex of decayed temples, chapels, pylons and other buildings near Luxor that was the greatest example of worship in Egyptian history. It was dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu, and was built and rebuilt over many dynasties. Three hours lets you walk through the major structures with your guide instead of rushing through.

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

The tour runs about four hours total. You request your pickup time when you book, and the driver collects you from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise at that time. The tour includes both temple visits and the drive back to your hotel or airport afterward.

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

Entrance tickets to both Karnak and Luxor temples are included if you select the option that adds them at checkout. If you choose the car-and-guide option without tickets, you would need to purchase entry separately. Either way, your guide stays with you through both sites.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is optional and you can add it at checkout if you want. Bottled water is included with every booking. If you choose to add lunch, your guide can arrange it during the tour.

What happens if my flight lands late or my cruise ship arrives after the usual pickup time?

You request your pickup time when you book, so you can choose whatever hour works for your arrival. The tour is private, which means it runs on your schedule, not a fixed group departure time.