Pricing policy
All prices are per person in US dollars and depend on the size of your group. Your quote lists the final price and what it covers. After the deposit, changes to your plan cost US$25 per request, plus any third-party fees.
Luxor Day Tour from Aswan
A long private day from Aswan to Luxor by air-conditioned car with your own Egyptologist: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank, then lunch, Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, with tickets and lunch included.
- Duration
- 14.5 hours
- Tour type
- Private, your own group
- Pickup
- From your hotel
- Lunch
- Included
- Guide
- Private Egyptologist, English-speaking
- Entrance fees
- Included
Overview
Luxor, ancient Thebes, was the religious capital of Egypt for much of the New Kingdom, and it holds more major monuments than anywhere else in the country. On the West Bank, the kings of the 18th to 20th dynasties were buried in rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and Queen Hatshepsut built her terraced temple against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. On the East Bank, Karnak grew over 2,000 years into the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, linked to Luxor Temple by an avenue of sphinxes. From Aswan, it is about 210 to 240 kilometres north by road.
This private day trip covers the essential sites of both banks in one day from Aswan. Your driver and Egyptologist collect you at your hotel or Nile cruise at 05:00 and drive north along the Nile valley in a private air-conditioned car. You reach the West Bank in the morning for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, stop for lunch, then cross to the East Bank for Karnak and Luxor Temple. You leave Luxor in the late afternoon and are back in Aswan in the evening.
Who this tour suits
- Travellers based in Aswan, or ending a cruise there, who have one day for Luxor and want to see its main sites.
- Couples, families and small groups who want their own car and guide, and a fixed plan for a long day.
- Anyone who prefers a private car to the train, with door-to-door pickup at both ends.
It is a very long day with about seven hours in the car, so it is better to spend a night in Luxor if you can. If you are already staying in Luxor, take our Luxor West Bank tour and East Bank tour instead, at an easier pace.
Why a guide makes the difference here
Five major sites in one day only works with a plan. Your Egyptologist chooses the tombs in the Valley of the Kings that are open and least crowded that morning, keeps the visits to the right length and explains the links between them: the royal tombs and their mortuary temples on the West Bank, the god Amun at Karnak and the festival that carried him to Luxor Temple each year.
What you will love
- Painted tombs in the Valley of the KingsThree royal tombs with colours still bright on the walls, chosen by your guide among those open that day.
- Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-BahariThree terraces set against the cliffs, built for the queen who ruled as pharaoh.
- The Hypostyle Hall at Karnak134 giant columns in the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt.
- Luxor Temple and the Avenue of SphinxesThe temple in the centre of town, with its obelisk and colossal statues of Ramesses II.
- The Colossi of MemnonTwo seated statues of Amenhotep III, standing alone in the fields of the West Bank.
- Door to door by private carAn air-conditioned car from your Aswan hotel or cruise and back, with no train timetables.
- Lunch includedA break at a local restaurant between the West Bank and the East Bank.
Your stops
Times assume a 05:00 pickup in Aswan; your guide adapts the order to traffic and to the crowds at the sites on the day.
Stop105:00 Pickup from your hotel or Nile cruise in Aswan
Your driver and Egyptologist meet you at the lobby or cruise reception. The road follows the Nile valley north past Kom Ombo and Edfu, about three and a half hours with a short coffee stop.
Stop208:30 The Valley of the Kings
In the desert valley behind the West Bank cliffs, you visit three tombs of New Kingdom kings, chosen with your guide among those open that day. Long corridors lead down to burial chambers painted with the texts and gods that guided the king through the underworld.
Stop310:15 The Temple of Hatshepsut
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut rises in three terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Your guide shows you the reliefs of the expedition to the land of Punt and explains how a woman came to rule Egypt as king.
Stop411:30 The Colossi of Memnon
A short photo stop at the two seated statues of Amenhotep III, about 18 metres tall, which once stood at the entrance of his vanished mortuary temple.
Stop512:00 Lunch
Lunch at a local restaurant, with Egyptian dishes and vegetarian options, before crossing the Nile to the East Bank.
Stop613:15 Karnak Temple
The great temple of Amun: the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, the pylons, the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 columns, the obelisks of Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, and the sacred lake. Allow about an hour and a half.
Stop715:00 Luxor Temple
Built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, Luxor Temple stands in the centre of town at the end of the Avenue of Sphinxes. You see the pylon with its obelisk, the colossal statues of Ramesses II and the colonnade of Amenhotep III.
Stop816:00 Drive back to Aswan
The drive south takes about three and a half hours. You are back at your hotel or cruise in Aswan at about 19:30.
Price
Group size and pricing
Prices are per person in US dollars. Children pay less, see the children policy below.
Get a quoteWhat is included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Nile cruise in Aswan.
- A private air-conditioned car with a driver for the whole day.
- A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
- Entrance tickets to the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temple.
- Lunch at a local restaurant and bottled water during the day.
- All taxes and service charges.
- Tips for the guide and driver (optional).
- Personal expenses and drinks with lunch.
- Extra tickets, such as the tomb of Tutankhamun, and services not in the program.
Practical information for this tour
Opening hours and the best time of day
The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak are open daily from 06:00 to 17:00, and Luxor Temple from 06:00 to 20:00, at the time of writing. The West Bank is visited first, in the cooler morning, and the East Bank temples in the afternoon. From May to September the West Bank is very hot by late morning.
Tickets and entry
Entrance tickets for the Valley of the Kings (three tombs of your choice among those open), the Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temple are included. The tomb of Tutankhamun and the other special tombs need extra tickets, which you can add when you book. The Colossi of Memnon stand in the open and need no ticket.
Photography rules
Personal photos with a phone or camera are allowed at all the sites, without flash. Flash is not allowed inside the tombs, where it damages the painted walls. Tripods need a permit.
What to wear and bring
- Comfortable closed shoes: the tombs have ramps and steps, and the temples cover large areas.
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; the Valley of the Kings has little shade.
- Light clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and a warm layer for the early start in winter.
- A neck pillow for the drive, and cash in Egyptian pounds for extra tickets, drinks and tips.
Pickup, timing and the road
Pickup is at 05:00 from any hotel in Aswan or from cruise ships moored there. The drive to Luxor takes about three and a half hours each way, with a short coffee stop. You are back at about 19:30.
Children, mobility and breaks
Older children who travel well can manage the day; it is long for small children. The tombs have sloping corridors and some steps, and the temples are on level ground. Your guide builds in breaks for water and the lunch stop.
Travel policy guide
Booking confirmation
A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due 30 days before departure, and bookings made within 30 days of departure are paid in full. We accept Visa or Master Card by secure online payment, Visa or Master Card by email, and wire transfer. We confirm every booking by email.
Cancellation and refund
- 22 days or more before departure: 100% refund
- 15 to 21 days: 70% refund
- 8 to 14 days: 50% refund
- 0 to 7 days: no refund
No-show travelers are charged 100%. During peak events in Egypt, hotels and Nile cruises do not refund deposits. Groups of more than 10 people may have different terms.
Children policy
- Under 2: free, sharing the parents’ bed, meals not included
- 2 to 5 years: 25% of the adult price
- 6 to 11 years: 50% of the adult price
- 12 and over: adult price
Add each child and their age in the enquiry form so the quote is exact.
Optional visits
Add a lunch stop, a longer visit or a second site to your day. Tell us what you want and we add it to your quote with its cost.
Extra expenses
Not included in the price: Gratuities (tipping); Personal expenses; Any additional services not mentioned in the program.
Tipping guide
Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the price. A usual amount for a private day tour is US$5 to 10 per person for your guide and US$3 to 5 for your driver.
Questions about this tour
How long is the Luxor day trip from Aswan?
About fourteen and a half hours, from a 05:00 pickup to about 19:30, including about seven hours of driving.
Is the tomb of Tutankhamun included?
No. The standard ticket covers three tombs in the Valley of the Kings; Tutankhamun's tomb needs a separate ticket, which you can add when you book. His treasures are now at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
Why by car and not by train?
The car takes you door to door, leaves when you are ready and needs no transfers to and from stations. The drive is about three and a half hours each way.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch at a local restaurant between the West Bank and the East Bank. Drinks with lunch are paid locally.
Is the tour private?
Yes. The car, the driver and the guide are for your group only.
Can we finish in Luxor instead of returning to Aswan?
Yes. If you are moving on to Luxor, we can drop you at your Luxor hotel at the end of the day; tell us when you book.
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