Luxor Day Trip from Marsa Alam – Private, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Karnak
16 hours, your own vehicle and Egyptologist, tickets and lunch included, private pick-up from 03:30.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
A 16-hour private day trip by road from Marsa Alam to Luxor: about 4.5 hours each way, then the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak with an Egyptologist and lunch.
- New
- Private
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Marsa Alam · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
- Includes
- Private pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib or the resorts between; El Quseir on request · Your own air-conditioned vehicle with a driver · Private Egyptologist guide who speaks English · Entrance tickets for the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple · Lunch at a local restaurant
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October to April has the best temperatures for walking the sites. Summer is hot, and the early start helps.
- Arranged by our Marsa Alam office, part of an Egyptian tour operator working since 1988
- Travel licence ETAA 718 (Category A); IATA accredited agent
02Overview
A first look
This is a private 16-hour day trip from the Marsa Alam coast to Luxor. A driver collects you at 03:30, and you cross the desert by the Edfu road, about four and a half hours each way with rest stops. In Luxor your own Egyptologist takes you to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple, with lunch between. Because the trip is private, you can ask for more time at the places you like most. It is a very long day, and it suits travelers who want Luxor without moving hotels and who can cope with an early start and a late return.
Background
The facts
Luxor lies across the Eastern Desert from Marsa Alam. The drive uses the Edfu road and takes about four and a half hours each way, with rest stops.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Valley of the Kings·Temple of Hatshepsut·Colossi of Memnon·Karnak Temple·Edfu road
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who want a private, flexible day in Luxor from a Marsa Alam hotel.
Maybe not, if
- Not for small children, for people with limited mobility or for anyone who dislikes very long days.
What lingers
- 01A private vehicle, driver and English-speaking Egyptologist for your party only
- 02Three tombs in the Valley of the Kings on the standard ticket
- 03The terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- 04A photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon
- 05Karnak Temple, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, and lunch in Luxor
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Your own guide and vehicle with a flexible pace
- Tickets and lunch are included
- No change of hotel
Things to Consider
- Around nine hours in the car
- Starts at 03:30 and returns late
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
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The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Private pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib or the resorts between; El Quseir on request
- Your own air-conditioned vehicle with a driver
- Private Egyptologist guide who speaks English
- Entrance tickets for the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks with lunch
- Personal expenses
- Tombs that need an extra ticket (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses V and VI)
- Electric cart in the Valley of the Kings
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Sleep in the car on the way out, and keep your energy for Karnak
- 02
Carry small notes for restrooms and optional tickets
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
This is a private trip, so children's prices are set from the ages you enter in your request. There is no minimum age, but the day lasts about 16 hours with roughly nine in the car. We suggest it mainly for school-age children who can cope with long journeys and heat.
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Your route
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How is this private trip priced?
The price is per person and goes down as your group gets bigger, because the vehicle, driver and guide are shared among you. It covers the transfers, the Egyptologist, the three entrance tickets and lunch. Children's prices are set from the ages you give in your request. Prices are provisional until our team confirms.02What time does the day start, and how long is the drive?
The driver collects you at 03:30, and you are in Luxor by about 08:30 after roughly four and a half hours with rest stops. The return drive takes about the same time. You should be back at your hotel at around 20:00 to 20:30.03Can we change the pace or the order of the sites?
Yes, within reason. Because the vehicle and guide are yours alone, you can ask for more time at a temple or skip a stop. Tell the guide in the morning. Opening hours and crowds still set some limits.04What should we wear and bring?
Wear light clothes that cover shoulders and knees, comfortable closed shoes and a hat. Bring your passport or a copy, sunscreen, sunglasses and cash for optional tickets. A light layer helps in the cool vehicle and at dawn.05What is the cancellation policy?
A cancellation made three days or more ahead is paid back in full. One made inside three days but outside 24 hours is paid back by half. A later one, or a missed pick-up, is not refunded. Tell us early about any change.06Is this trip private, or will others join us?
It is private. Only your own party travels in the vehicle, and the Egyptologist guides only you. This is the main difference from the shared coach days that also leave from the Red Sea. The maximum party size is 16.
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-MRS-235678
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