Luxor & Valley of the Kings: 2-Day Tour from Hurghada

Summary

Two days from Hurghada: ancient temples, Nile crossings, and stories in Luxor

Travel from Hurghada to Luxor with hotel pickup and a local guide leading you through Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. Taste real Egyptian food at lunch, wander ancient tombs on the west bank, and cross paths with locals along the Nile — moments you’ll remember long after returning home.

What’s the experience like?

Hands gripping the seat as our driver threaded through early-morning Hurghada traffic — that’s how it started. I was still half-asleep when we left, but by the time we reached Luxor after four hours (give or take), the air felt different. Hotter, heavier somehow. Our guide, Mahmoud, met us with this easy smile and a quick “Welcome to Thebes!” He handed out cold water bottles like he’d done it a thousand times. I remember the way the sunlight bounced off Karnak’s columns — so bright you almost had to squint — and how Mahmoud paused under one archway to explain how each pharaoh tried to outdo the last. I probably missed half of what he said because I was tracing my fingers over those carved hieroglyphs. They’re rougher than you’d think.

Lunch was at this local spot where everyone seemed to know Mahmoud. We sat near an open window; you could hear someone frying onions in the kitchen and smell cumin drifting out. The food was simple — grilled chicken, rice, something green I couldn’t name — but honestly, after all that walking around Karnak and Luxor Temple (which is right in town, just off a busy street), it tasted perfect. Later that evening some folks went for a felucca ride on the Nile. I skipped it and wandered along the riverbank instead; there were kids playing soccer barefoot on dusty patches by the water. It made me smile.

The next morning started early again — breakfast at the hotel (coffee strong enough to wake anyone) before crossing to Luxor’s west bank. The Valley of the Kings is quieter than I expected; even with other groups around there’s this hush inside those tombs. Cool air against your skin after all that sun outside. Mahmoud pointed out tiny details in faded paintings — “Look here,” he said, “see how they painted stars on the ceiling?” At Hatshepsut’s temple, he told us about her reign while a stray cat wound around his ankles. The Colossi of Memnon were our last stop before heading back toward Hurghada; two giant statues just standing there in a field like they’re waiting for something.

I keep thinking about that moment under Karnak’s pillars when everything felt impossibly old and strangely close at once. If you want a day trip from Hurghada to Luxor that doesn’t rush you through — with lunch included and someone who actually knows these stories — this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hurghada to Luxor and Temples

• Drive Hurghada to Luxor and check-in
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 2 — West Bank Tombs and Return

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch and drive back to Hurghada

Top questions

How long does it take to drive from Hurghada to Luxor?

The drive takes about 4 hours each way by air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included during this 2-day tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included both days.

Are hotel pickups available in Hurghada?

Yes, pickup and return from your hotel in Hurghada are included.

What sites do we visit in Luxor?

You visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, and Colossi of Memnon.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes, a private English Egyptologist guide leads your tour.

Is accommodation provided in Luxor?

Yes, one night at a 4-star hotel in Luxor is included.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your two days include pickup and return from your hotel in Hurghada by private air-conditioned vehicle; entry fees for all main sites; guided visits with an English-speaking Egyptologist; one night’s accommodation at a 4-star hotel in Luxor; breakfast and lunch at local restaurants; plus time for optional activities like an evening felucca ride if you want it.