- DurationApprox. 12–13 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsMeet at the cruise terminal, Safaga Port
- PriceFrom $135 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
Safaga is the closest Red Sea port to ancient Thebes, and this private Luxor shore excursion from Safaga makes the most of it. You cross the Eastern Desert to Luxor for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank, then Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, on the East Bank, with your own Egyptologist guide.
The drive is about 3 to 3.5 hours each way, through mountains and desert, with police checkpoints along the road. That means around seven hours in the vehicle and about five hours in Luxor, so this excursion suits port calls of at least 13 hours. We plan the day backwards from your ship’s all-aboard time and aim to have you back at the terminal at least one hour before it. If your call is shorter, we will tell you honestly and shorten the programme rather than risk your ship.
Highlights
- Three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- The terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- A photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon
- The Great Hypostyle Hall and sacred lake at Karnak
- Private Egyptologist guide, lunch and entry fees included
- Return to the ship planned around your all-aboard time
Itinerary
06:30 – Meet at Safaga Port
Your guide meets you at the cruise terminal with a name sign as soon as passengers are cleared ashore (times assume an early-morning arrival). You set off in a private air-conditioned vehicle with cold water on the road through the Eastern Desert and the Nile Valley town of Qena or Qift, about 3 to 3.5 hours to Luxor’s West Bank.
10:00 – Valley of the Kings
Enter three of the royal tombs included in the standard ticket, chosen by your guide from those open that day, with painted ceilings and carved texts from the New Kingdom. Tutankhamun’s tomb and the tomb of Seti I need separate tickets and can be added if you wish. Photography is allowed without flash.
11:45 – Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon
Drive to Deir el-Bahari, where the Temple of Hatshepsut rises in three terraces against the cliffs. Your guide tells the story of Egypt’s best-known female pharaoh and her trading expedition to Punt. On the way to lunch, stop to photograph the Colossi of Memnon, two 18-metre statues of Amenhotep III.
13:15 – Lunch in Luxor
Lunch at a local restaurant with Egyptian dishes, salads and vegetarian options. Your guide keeps it to about an hour so that the timings for Karnak and the drive back stay intact.
Meals: Lunch
14:30 – Karnak Temple
Cross to the East Bank for Karnak, built and extended over some 2,000 years. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, stand among the 134 columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, and see the obelisk of Hatshepsut and the sacred lake.
16:00 – Return to Safaga Port
Leave Luxor for the drive back across the desert, arriving at Safaga Port around 19:30. Departure from Luxor is set by your all-aboard time and is never pushed later for an extra stop. Our operations team stays in contact with your driver until you are back at the terminal.
Good to know: Times are an example for a ship alongside from about 06:00 to 20:30. For shorter calls we can drop Karnak and keep to the West Bank; we confirm your exact schedule in writing once we have your ship’s times.
What’s Included
Included
- Meet and assist at Safaga Port and return to the ship
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entry fees to the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Hatshepsut Temple and Karnak Temple
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Tutankhamun’s tomb (about $14) and other special tombs
- Drinks with lunch
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Personal expenses
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $329 |
| 2 travellers | $215 |
| 3–5 travellers | $169 |
| 6+ travellers | $135 |
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
Will I get back to the ship on time?
That is our first priority. We work backwards from your all-aboard time, allow about 3.5 hours for the drive plus a margin for checkpoints, and aim to reach the terminal at least one hour early. If anything runs late, your guide shortens a visit rather than delay the return. Ships do not wait for independent tours, which is why the margins are generous.
How long does my ship need to be in Safaga?
At least 13 hours alongside for the full programme. The round trip by road takes about seven hours and you need about five hours in Luxor. With 11 to 12 hours we can still visit the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi, but would leave out Karnak. Send us your times and we will advise.
Can I see Tutankhamun’s tomb?
Yes, with an extra ticket of about $14 bought at the site. It is small but well worth it, as the king’s mummy is still inside in a climate-controlled case. His treasures are now displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
Is it very hot in Luxor?
From May to September, midday temperatures in Luxor often pass 40°C, and the tombs and temples have little shade. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sun cream, and drink plenty of water; we keep the vehicle stocked. Between November and March the weather is pleasant, with mild days and cool early mornings.
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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.
