- DurationApprox. 14 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise at about 05:00
- PriceFrom $116 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Luxor day trip from Aswan packs the highlights of ancient Thebes into one long, full day. You drive north along the Nile Valley in your own air-conditioned vehicle, spend the morning on the West Bank among the royal tombs and temples, and the afternoon at the vast temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank.
It is a big day, about three and a half hours’ drive each way, so it suits travellers based in Aswan who cannot stay overnight in Luxor. A licensed Egyptologist guides you all day, and lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water and entrance tickets to all five sites are included.
Highlights
- Three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- The terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- Photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon
- The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak
- Luxor Temple in the heart of the modern city
- Private vehicle, Egyptologist, lunch and all tickets included
Itinerary
05:00 – Pickup and drive to Luxor
Your driver and guide collect you from your hotel or Nile cruise. The drive north takes about three and a half hours on the Nile Valley road, past Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, with a coffee stop on the way. Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the night before.
08:30 – Valley of the Kings
Arrive on the West Bank and enter the Valley of the Kings, burial place of New Kingdom pharaohs for 500 years. Your ticket covers three tombs, chosen on the day from those open, often including Ramesses IV or IX and Merenptah. Tutankhamun’s tomb is an optional extra ticket.
10:30 – Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon
Visit the terraced mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, with reliefs of her expedition to the land of Punt. On the way back to the river, stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon, the two 18-metre statues of Amenhotep III.
12:15 – Lunch in Luxor
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, usually grilled chicken or kofta with rice, salads, bread and dips, with vegetarian options available. Drinks are extra. This is a good chance to rest before the afternoon on the East Bank.
Meals: Lunch
13:30 – Karnak Temple
Explore Karnak, the largest religious complex of the ancient world, built over 2,000 years. Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 giant columns, see Hatshepsut’s obelisk and the sacred lake, and hear how the temple was the heart of Egypt’s state religion.
15:15 – Luxor Temple and return
Finish at Luxor Temple, with its obelisk, colossal statues of Ramesses II and the start of the Avenue of Sphinxes leading towards Karnak. At about 16:15 your driver sets off south, reaching Aswan around 19:30 to 20:00.
Good to know: This is a long day with about seven hours of driving. If you can, consider spending a night in Luxor or taking a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor instead; we can arrange both.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver for the whole day
- Private licensed Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets to the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water and all taxes
Not included
- Tutankhamun’s tomb (about $14) and other special tombs
- Drinks with lunch
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $289 |
| 2 travellers | $179 |
| 3–5 travellers | $142 |
| 6+ travellers | $116 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth going to Luxor for just one day from Aswan?
If Aswan is your only base, yes: you see the five most important sites of Luxor in a single day. But it is tiring, with about seven hours on the road. If your schedule allows, an overnight in Luxor or a Nile cruise gives you more time and a calmer pace.
Can we go by train instead of driving?
Trains run between Aswan and Luxor in about three hours, but timetables are irregular and delays are common, which makes a same-day return risky. A private vehicle lets us adjust the timing to the sites. If you would like a one-way train, ask us.
Which tombs will we see in the Valley of the Kings?
The standard ticket includes three tombs from those open on the day, as the antiquities authority rotates them for conservation. Your guide chooses the best-decorated options. Tutankhamun’s tomb and the tombs of Seti I and Ramesses V and VI need extra tickets, which you can buy at the site.
Can we finish in Luxor instead of returning?
Yes. If you are moving on, we can bring your luggage and drop you at your Luxor hotel after Luxor Temple. This one-way version costs less, as the vehicle does not need to return with you; ask for a quote.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
