Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada with Valley of the Kings & Tutankhamun's Tomb
- Duration1 day
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
Swap the beach for ancient Thebes on this full-day trip from Hurghada to Luxor. A small group travels by air-conditioned minivan across the Eastern Desert to the Nile, then visits the Valley of the Kings with Tutankhamun's tomb, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple with an Egyptologist. Entry tickets, lunch in Luxor and drinks on the road are included, with hotel pickup across the Hurghada coast. Tombs visited depend on the option you choose; the default option includes Tutankhamun's tomb.
Highlights
- Small group of up to nine travellers in an air-conditioned minivan
- Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in the default option
- The terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon
- The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple
- Entry tickets, lunch in Luxor, snacks and water included
- Pickup from Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga and Soma Bay
Full Description
The Desert Road from Hurghada to Luxor
Luxor lies about 290 kilometres from Hurghada, and the journey is part of the experience. The road runs south along the Red Sea to Safaga, then cuts west through the dramatic granite peaks of the Eastern Desert before dropping into the green Nile Valley near Qena, lined with sugar cane fields and mud-brick villages.
The drive takes about four to four and a half hours each way, with a comfort stop and snacks and cold drinks provided. Many travellers ask whether a Luxor day trip from Hurghada is worth the early start. It is: in one long day you see the highlights of the world's greatest open-air museum, and our small groups keep the rhythm relaxed.
The Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun's Tomb
On the West Bank you visit the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in secret tombs cut into the limestone hills. The general ticket covers three tombs, chosen from those open that day, with walls painted in blue, yellow and red scenes of the journey through the underworld.
In the default option you also enter the tomb of Tutankhamun, found almost intact by Howard Carter in 1922. It is small, but its painted burial chamber and the boy king's mummy, still resting in a climate-controlled case, make it unforgettable. Another option replaces it with the vast tomb of Ramesses V and VI, famous for its astronomical ceiling.
Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon
Nearby, the Temple of Hatshepsut rises in three pale terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Built for the queen who ruled as pharaoh in the 15th century BC, it is decorated with reliefs of trading voyages and chapels that still keep their colours. Our guide tells the story of her reign and why her images were later erased.
As you arrive on the West Bank you also stop at the Colossi of Memnon, twin seated statues of Amenhotep III about 18 metres high that once guarded his vanished temple. A Hurghada to Luxor excursion usually allows around 30 minutes for this photo stop, and lunch follows later at a restaurant in Luxor.
Karnak Temple
After lunch, the tour crosses to the East Bank for Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, built and expanded over about two thousand years and dedicated to Amun-Ra. You walk down the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, through towering pylons and into the Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 giant columns.
Your guide points out the obelisks, the sacred lake and the carved scenes of royal victories, then leaves you some free time for photos. A Karnak Temple visit of about two hours is the grand finale of the day before the drive back to the coast. A motorboat ride on the Nile can be added on the day at extra cost.
Itinerary
- Early pickupPickup from your hotel on the Hurghada coast in an air-conditioned minivan.
- Drive to LuxorCross the Eastern Desert to the Nile Valley, about 4 to 4.5 hours with a rest stop.
- Colossi of MemnonPhoto stop at the twin statues of Amenhotep III, about 30 minutes.
- Temple of HatshepsutGuided visit of the terraced temple, about 50 minutes.
- Valley of the KingsVisit three royal tombs plus Tutankhamun's tomb in the default option, about two hours.
- Lunch in LuxorLunch at a local restaurant, about one hour.
- Karnak TempleGuided visit and free time, about two hours.
- Return to HurghadaDrive back to your hotel, arriving in the evening after about 14 hours in total.
What's included
- Return transfers from Hurghada hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking guide
- Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon
- Karnak Temple entry ticket
- Entry ticket to the tomb of Ramses V & VI
- Lunch at a restaurant in Luxor
- Snacks, cold drinks and water on the way
Not included
- Tutankhamun's tomb
- Nile boat trip
- Drinks at the restaurant
- Pickup from North Safaga and some outlying hotels
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Travellers with serious mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
Meeting point
We pick you up from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay and Sahl Hasheesh very early in the morning. We contact you around 1 pm the day before to confirm your name, hotel, room number and exact pickup time. A few distant hotels in North Safaga and some resorts outside the main areas are not covered; we will let you know when you book.
Important information
- Have breakfast before pickup or bring something light; the day starts very early.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun cream, a hat and sunglasses.
- Drinks at the restaurant and the optional Nile boat ride are not included.
- Bring your passport or a copy for the security checkpoints and ticket offices.
- Tombs visited depend on the option: Tutankhamun's tomb or Ramesses V and VI.
- If you would like to stay in Luxor at the end of the day, tell us in advance.
- Pets are not allowed.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Luxor day trip from Hurghada cost?
The price depends on the option you choose and the travellers in your group. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults, seniors and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay and Sahl Hasheesh. A few remote resorts are excluded.
How long is the Luxor trip from Hurghada?
About 14 hours door to door, including roughly four hours of driving each way.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes, children aged 2 to 11 have their own rate. It is a long day, so it suits children who travel well by car.
What should I wear or bring?
Light, modest clothes, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream, a light jacket for the air-conditioned van and your passport or a copy.
Can I book for tomorrow?
Available dates appear in the booking calendar. Next-day trips are often possible if you book before midday.
What is the difference between the options?
The default small-group option includes Tutankhamun's tomb. Another option visits the tomb of Ramesses V and VI instead, and a further option includes Tutankhamun's tomb with a different departure arrangement.
Are entry tickets and lunch included?
Yes. Entry tickets to the sites on the programme and lunch at a restaurant in Luxor are included; drinks with lunch are extra.
Is Tutankhamun's tomb worth it?
Yes for most visitors. The tomb is small, but seeing the painted burial chamber and the king's mummy in place is a unique experience.
Is the road from Hurghada to Luxor safe and comfortable?
The road is paved and used daily by tourist vehicles. Our minivans are air-conditioned and stop midway for a break.
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