Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourCairo

Luxor Day Trip from Cairo by Flight – Private, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Karnak

16 hours, flights, private Egyptologist, tickets and lunch included, hotel pick-up at 04:00.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 16-hour private day trip by air from Cairo or Giza to Luxor: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak, with return flights, an Egyptologist, tickets and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Cairo · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
Includes
Return flights Cairo–Luxor in economy class · Private airport transfers in Cairo and Luxor · Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Luxor · Private Egyptologist guide (English) in Luxor · Entrance tickets for the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April has the best temperatures. In summer, Luxor is very hot by midday.

  • Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, an Egyptian tour operator working since 1988 with six offices
  • Travel licence ETAA 718 (Category A); IATA accredited agent

02Overview

A first look

This is a long, full day: Cairo to Luxor and back in about 16 hours. A driver collects you from your Cairo or Giza hotel at about 04:00 and takes you to Cairo Airport. Please ask your hotel the night before for a breakfast box, which hotels usually provide at no charge. The flight to Luxor takes about an hour, and its time follows the airline schedule on your date. In Luxor your guide and driver meet you at the airport and you go straight to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then to Karnak after lunch. In the late afternoon you return to the airport for the flight home, and a driver takes you to your hotel, around 18:30 for the flight and later for the drop-off. You book online without paying at that point. Our team checks flight seats for your date and confirms availability and the final price, and then you pay.

Background

The facts

Luxor lies about 500 km south of Cairo, roughly one hour by air. A day trip flies out early and returns in the evening, covering the West Bank sites and Karnak.

Named in this entry

Cairo·Luxor·Valley of the Kings·Temple of Hatshepsut·Colossi of Memnon·Karnak Temple

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travelers based in Cairo who want to see Luxor's main sites without an overnight stay.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for anyone who dislikes very early starts, airports or a long, busy day.

What lingers

  • 01Return flights Cairo–Luxor, so you skip the overnight journey
  • 02A private vehicle, driver and English-speaking Egyptologist in Luxor
  • 03The Valley of the Kings, with three tombs on the standard ticket
  • 04The Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
  • 05Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • Luxor's main sites in one day
  • Flights and transfers handled for you
  • Your own guide and vehicle in Luxor

Things to Consider

  • Very early start and a late finish
  • Limited time at each site

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Return flights Cairo–Luxor in economy class
  • Private airport transfers in Cairo and Luxor
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver in Luxor
  • Private Egyptologist guide (English) in Luxor
  • Entrance tickets for the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Drinks with lunch
  • Personal expenses
  • Extra-ticket tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask your hotel the night before for a breakfast box

  2. 02

    Keep your passport with you for both flights

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children's prices are set from the ages you give when you book, and there is no minimum age. Tell us the ages when you book so we can check flight seats. The day lasts about 16 hours with an early start and a lot of walking in heat, so we suggest it mainly for older children and teenagers.

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

On the ground

Your route

✈1Cairo2Luxor

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does booking work?
    You book online, and no payment is taken at that point. Our team then checks flight seats for your date and confirms availability and the final price. Once that is agreed, you pay. If seats are not available, we suggest another date.
  2. 02How is this private trip priced?
    The price is per person and covers the flights, the transfers, the Egyptologist in Luxor, the site tickets and lunch. It falls as the group grows, because the vehicle and guide are shared, while each traveler needs their own flight seat. The final price is confirmed by our team.
  3. 03Are the flights included?
    Yes, return economy flights between Cairo and Luxor are included. Flight times follow the airline schedule on your date. Bring the passport you used for the booking, because you need it at both airports.
  4. 04Can we really see Luxor in one day?
    You see the main sites, but it is a long day with a lot packed in. If you would like more time and less rushing, consider an overnight stay in Luxor. Our team can suggest options.
  5. 05What is the cancellation policy?
    If you cancel three days or more before the trip, you get a full refund. If you cancel less than three days but more than 24 hours before, half is refunded. After that, or if you miss the pick-up, there is no refund. Once flight tickets are issued, the airline's rules apply to the flight part.
  6. 06Is this trip private, or will others join us?
    On the ground it is private. Only your own party travels in the vehicle, and the Egyptologist guides only you. You fly on scheduled airline flights with other passengers. The maximum party is 12 people.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit toward future travel with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours: keep the full amount as credit, or take a partial refund.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't show up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • If we ever have to cancel, for weather or anything beyond our control, you lose nothing.

Credit is valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can be used on any tour, cruise or stay with us.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-CAI-470319

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