Luxor Karnak & Luxor Temples: Private tour with guide

Summary

Following Pharaohs’ Footsteps on Luxor’s East Bank

Step into Egypt’s past as you explore Karnak’s vast halls and Luxor Temple’s city-side secrets with a local guide. You’ll touch ancient carvings, wander at your own pace, and catch glimpses of daily life around these legendary sites — moments that linger long after you’ve left Luxor behind.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left the car before the heat wrapped around us — not stifling, just that dry Luxor warmth that makes stone feel alive under your hand. Our guide, Hossam, was already pointing out the avenue of sphinxes at Karnak Temple, and I’ll admit I was distracted by the way dust glinted in the morning light. The place felt busy but not rushed; locals in galabiyas moved quietly past us, nodding hello. Hossam told us the temple took nearly 2,000 years to finish. I tried to imagine that — generations working on these columns, each one bigger than my apartment back home.

The hypostyle hall was something else. You look up and it’s just endless pillars, sunlight sneaking through cracks so it almost looks like smoke drifting above you. Hossam had us touch the carvings — rough and cool even in the heat. He laughed when I tried to read a cartouche (I got it wrong), then showed us where Alexander the Great left his mark. There was this faint smell of incense near one of the sanctuaries; maybe someone had been there earlier? We wandered off for a bit on our own after that, which I liked — no rush, just time to let it all settle in.

Luxor Temple is right in town so you hear car horns and vendors calling out as you walk up — kind of jolts you after all that ancient quiet at Karnak. The walls here are closer together and somehow it feels more personal; maybe because you can see layers from different pharaohs and even some Roman bits tucked in if you look close enough. Our guide pointed out where Tutankhamun added his piece (I didn’t expect that), and there’s this moment when you stand between two giant statues and realize how small you are — not in a bad way though. Just… aware.

I keep thinking about how old everything is here but also how normal life goes on around it — kids playing soccer nearby, someone selling tea from a cart right outside the gate. We drove back to our hotel with sand still stuck to our shoes and a hundred photos I’m still sorting through. If you’re curious about history or just want to feel tiny for an afternoon, this day trip from Luxor is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Luxor and Karnak Temples Tour

• Pickup from Luxor station, airport, hotel, or cruise
• Visit Karnak Temple complex
• Visit Luxor Temple in city center
• Drive back to hotel or Nile cruise

Top questions

How long does the private tour of Karnak & Luxor Temples take?

This is a half-day tour starting with pickup from your hotel or cruise in Luxor.

Is pickup included for hotels or Nile cruises in Luxor?

Yes, pickup and return from your hotel or Nile cruise are included.

Are guides fluent in English?

Your private Egyptologist guide speaks English fluently.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both temples and transfers are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available.

Do I get free time inside Karnak Temple?

Yes, after your guided walk you’ll have free time to explore Karnak Temple at your own pace.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from your chosen location in Luxor: train station, airport, hotel or Nile cruise dock.

What’s included

Your day includes private pickup from your hotel or Nile cruise in Luxor, all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, entry to both Karnak and Luxor Temples with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide leading the way before returning you comfortably at the end of your visit.