Luxor Day Trip from Cairo: Valley of Kings & Temples by Plane

See Five Millennia of Temples in One Day Without Renting a Car

You fly from Cairo to Luxor in the morning, spend the day with an Egyptologist visiting the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, eat lunch, and fly back by evening. Hotel pickup and drop-off, all transport between sites, entry fees and a guide are included. The only thing you arrange is showing up at your hotel on time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings1h
2. Temple of Hatshepsut1h
3. Colossi of Memnon30m
4. Luxor Temple1h
5. Karnak Temple1h

Explore Luxor's ancient temples and tombs

• Fly from Cairo to Luxor
• Visit the Valley of the Kings
• Tour the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
• See the Colossi of Memnon statues
• Explore the Luxor Temple complex
• Visit the Karnak Temple Complex
• Return flight to Cairo

The experience

So you're standing in Cairo thinking there's no way you can actually get to Luxor and back in a day, and then you realize the flight is only an hour. That's the whole thing right there. The distance that makes Luxor feel impossible from Cairo just evaporates once you're on the plane, and suddenly you've got a full day to walk through the Valley of the Kings, stand in front of the Colossi of Memnon (two statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have been sitting there since 1350 BCE), and actually spend time at Karnak Temple instead of just reading about it. Hotel pickup happens early, the flight gets you there by mid-morning, and then a qualified Egyptologist guide takes over.

The itinerary moves fast but doesn't feel rushed because everything is already arranged: no negotiating with taxi drivers, no figuring out which temple is which or how to get between them. You start on the west bank with the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were buried in rock-cut tombs for nearly 500 years during the New Kingdom. Then Hatshepsut Temple, the mortuary temple built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari that archaeologists call one of the incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt. The Colossi of Memnon are next: two massive stone figures that stop you cold when you see them in person, even though you've seen the photos. Lunch happens somewhere in there, and then you cross to the east bank for Luxor Temple (built around 1400 BCE and dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship) and Karnak, the vast complex that started construction around 2000 BC and kept growing for over two thousand years.

The guide makes the difference. An Egyptologist who knows the dynasties, the gods, the reasons these temples were built the way they were, not just the dates and the names. You get the actual history instead of just walking through old buildings. And because you're traveling by private air-conditioned vehicle between sites, you're not melting in the heat or waiting for a group van to fill up. By evening you're back at your Cairo or Giza hotel, which sounds impossible until you've actually done it.

What’s included

Round-trip domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza, all ground transportation in Luxor by private air-conditioned vehicle, entry to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, a qualified Egyptologist guide for the day, and lunch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 04:30 and 05:30

Book up to7h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Roxana Travel

Is this one for you?Right for anyone staying in Cairo who wants to see Luxor's major temples without arranging flights, transport between sites, or entry tickets separately: the fixed itinerary and included guide mean you spend the day looking at temples instead of figuring out logistics.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Luxor?

About one hour each way.

What time does pickup happen?

Early morning from your Cairo or Giza hotel. Exact time depends on your flight.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included in the day.

Can I do this if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces at the temples are wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to bring anything?

Sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and water. The temples involve walking on uneven ground.

What if my flight is delayed?

Contact the operator as soon as you know. They track your arrival and adjust timing accordingly.