Luxor Private Day Tour from Cairo: Five Temples by Flight

Five temples, one Egyptologist, one day: Valley of the Kings to Karnak to Luxor

A private day tour from Cairo to Luxor by domestic flight, visiting the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple with a qualified Egyptologist guide and hotel pickup. You choose between a car with driver only or a car with driver and guide. Both options include all transfers, mineral water, and return flights to Cairo. The tour runs 12 to 14 hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxor private day tour from Cairo

• Pick up from hotel in Cairo or Giza
• Transfer to Cairo airport
• Flight from Cairo to Luxor
• Meet tour guide in Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Transfer to Luxor airport
• Flight from Luxor to Cairo
• Transfer from Cairo airport to hotel

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel in the early morning, heading straight to Cairo Airport for a domestic flight to Luxor. A professional Egyptologist guide meets you on arrival and drives you through the west bank to the Valley of the Kings, the royal cemetery where 62 pharaohs were buried. From there you move to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built of limestone in a design unlike most other funerary temples of the New Kingdom, then to the Colossi of Memnon: two colossal statues that once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep III's temple.

The afternoon takes you to Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in the world, which contains multiple sanctuaries including the Great Temple of Amon Ra, the Temple of Khonso, and temples dedicated to Ptah, Montho and Osiris, all enclosed by a 20-meter-high mud brick wall. You finish at Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III in the 18th Dynasty and completed by Ramesses II in the 19th Dynasty. The return journey includes a transfer back to Luxor Airport and a flight to Cairo, with drop-off at your hotel.

You can book this as a car with driver only, or add a Egyptologist guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, German or another language. Both options include all airport transfers, hotel pickup and drop-off, and mineral water during the day. Children from age 2 are welcome, though they must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Cairo.
• domestic flights to and from Luxor.
• mineral water during the tour.
• qualified Egyptologist guide (if you choose the guide option at checkout).

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Egypt Daily Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the car with driver only if you prefer to move at your own pace and explore each temple independently. Add the Egyptologist guide if you want the history and context explained as you walk through each site, which transforms a sequence of ruins into a narrative of ancient Egypt.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly is the Valley of the Kings and why is it worth visiting?

The Valley of the Kings is the royal cemetery on Luxor's west bank where 62 pharaohs were buried over centuries. It is the most concentrated collection of royal tombs in Egypt and the centerpiece of any Luxor visit.

Is the Egyptologist guide included in the price, or do I pay extra?

The guide is optional. You can book a car with driver only, or add a qualified Egyptologist guide at checkout who will explain the history and significance of each temple as you visit them.

What is the Colossi of Memnon and why are they called that?

The Colossi of Memnon are two colossal statues that once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep III's temple in ancient times. They are the only remains of that temple still standing. The name "Colossi of Memnon" means "Ruler of the Dawn," probably because one of the statues was said to "sing" at dawn.

Are entrance fees to the temples included in the tour price?

Entrance fees to the temples are not included and must be paid separately at each site. The tour price covers transport, the guide (if selected), hotel pickup and drop-off, and the domestic flights.

Can I bring my young children on this tour?

Yes, children from age 2 are welcome. They must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the day is long and involves walking through temple complexes in the heat.