Luxor: Overnight tour from Marsa Alam with Nile boat & temples

Summary

Walk ancient halls by torchlight & drift the Nile at sunset in Luxor

You’ll follow an Egyptologist through Karnak’s ancient pillars, share lunch on a Nile island with river breezes all around, and see Luxor Temple lit up at night. Explore royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and stand beneath Hatshepsut’s dramatic temple cliffs — all with hotel pickup and a private guide who brings every story to life. It’s an experience you’ll remember long after you’ve left Luxor behind.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the size of Karnak Temple — though it’s massive — but the way our guide, Ahmed, ran his hand along the sandstone, tracing faded hieroglyphs like he’d done it a hundred times. The air was thick and a little dusty, but there was this faint scent of jasmine from somewhere nearby. We’d left Marsa Alam early (I slept most of the drive), and suddenly we were standing where pharaohs once walked. I tried to imagine what it sounded like back then; now it was mostly quiet except for a group of schoolkids giggling by the columns.

Lunch came next, on an island in the Nile — which sounds fancier than it is, but honestly? The grilled eggplant and flatbread were perfect after hours in the sun. There was this breeze off the water that made me forget how hot it had been. After we ate, we took a short boat ride; I kept watching the riverbanks slide by, palms and old houses and kids waving from shore. It felt like time slowed down for a bit.

That night, Luxor Temple glowed under spotlights. Ahmed told us about the Opet festival — I probably mispronounced it when I tried to say it back to him (he laughed). The place felt different at night: quieter, almost secretive. Our hotel was nearby — five stars but not stuffy — and I crashed hard after all that walking.

The next morning started early again for our day trip to the West Bank. The Valley of the Kings is one of those places you think you know from photos, but stepping into those tombs… well, I still remember how cool and dry it felt inside compared to outside. The colors on some walls looked almost fresh. Hatshepsut’s Temple sits right up against these cliffs — kind of surreal how it blends into the rock. And then there are the Colossi of Memnon just standing out there in a field; they look lonely somehow.

We ended with lunch overlooking the Nile before heading back to Marsa Alam. I’m still thinking about that moment on the river when everything went quiet except for birds overhead. If you’re wondering whether this overnight tour is worth leaving your resort bubble for — yeah, absolutely.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Karnak and Luxor Temples

• Drive from Marsa Alam to Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Lunch on Nile island and boat trip
• Visit Luxor Temple at night
• Overnight at 5-star hotel

Day 2 — West Bank Highlights

• Visit Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch overlooking Nile and return to Marsa Alam

Top questions

Is pickup included from my hotel in Marsa Alam?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Marsa Alam are included in this overnight tour.

Does this tour include entry fees to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple?

Yes, entry fees for both Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple are included.

Will we visit both East Bank and West Bank sites in Luxor?

Yes, you’ll visit major sites on both banks: Karnak & Luxor Temples (East) plus Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon (West).

Is accommodation provided during this overnight trip?

Yes, one night at a 5-star hotel in Luxor is included.

Are meals included during the tour?

You’ll have breakfast and two lunches at local restaurants as part of your tour.

Is there a boat ride on the Nile included?

Yes, a boat trip on the Nile to an island restaurant is part of day one’s itinerary.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Do we get to enter tombs at Valley of the Kings?

You’ll enter three tombs (excluding Tutankhamen’s unless you buy an extra ticket).

What’s included

Your overnight experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Marsa Alam, all entry fees for temples and tombs mentioned above, guided tours with an Egyptologist who really knows their stuff, one night at a 5-star hotel in Luxor (with breakfast), two lunches at local restaurants (one on an island reached by boat), plus all transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle before returning home again.