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Attractions in Luxor: Private English-Speaking Excursions
Visiting Luxor means walking through 4,000 years of history in a single day: the Temple of Karnak and its 134 colossal columns on the East Bank, the Valley of the Kings and its 63 royal tombs on the West Bank, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, the Colossi of Memnon and the Ramesseum. The largest open-air museum in the world. With SEV: a private English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle and tickets included, from £35 per person.
What to do in Luxor? Ancient Thebes holds 30% of Egypt's archaeological heritage, split between the Luxor East Bank (temples of the living: Karnak and Luxor) and the Luxor West Bank (the royal necropolis: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu). In one full day in Luxor you cover the essentials; over 2 days you add the Tombs of the Nobles, Dendera and the Karnak sound-and-light show. We build your programme around you - a half-day, a full day in Luxor, an excursion from Hurghada, or a 2-day VIP combo. Every package includes a private English-speaking guide, door-to-door air-conditioned transport, bottled water and all entry fees.
Our 5 Luxor Excursion Packages
Temple of Karnak (the great hypostyle hall, obelisks) + Luxor Temple (the Avenue of Sphinxes, restored in 2021).
- Private English-speaking guide
- Tickets included
- Hotel transfer both ways
- Water + chilled towels
Valley of the Kings (3 standard tombs) + Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari) + Medinet Habu + Colossi of Memnon + Ramesseum (a quick look).
- All standard tickets included
- Tutankhamun's tomb optional +£10
- Ramesseum + Memnon photo stops
East Bank + West Bank combined in a single day: Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, Memnon and the Ramesseum. Nile-view lunch included.
- 3-course Nile-view lunch
- All tickets included
- Optional felucca break +£12
A private van both ways, Hurghada to Luxor (4h drive each way), plus an East/West Bank day. Departs 4am, returns 7pm.
- Private air-conditioned van
- Guide + driver included
- 2 major sites of your choice
- Snack + lunch included
A hot-air balloon flight at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, the Ramesseum and the Nile. Best paired with the West Bank.
- Hotel transfer included
- Sparkling wine on landing
- Flight certificate
Luxor's Essential Sites - What to Do in Luxor in Detail
Temple of Karnak
The largest religious complex of antiquity (2 km²). The hypostyle hall holds 134 columns 23 m tall. The obelisks of Hatshepsut (29 m, the tallest still standing in Egypt), the sacred lake and the scarab of Thutmose III. A 1.5-2 hour visit. In the evening: a sound-and-light show, English available (£35, reserved for the 2-day combo).
Luxor Temple
Linked to Karnak by the 2.7 km Avenue of Sphinxes, reopened in November 2021 after 3,000 years. One obelisk remains (its twin stands on the Place de la Concorde in Paris). Striking by night under contemporary lighting. 45 min is enough.
Valley of the Kings
The royal necropolis of the 18th-20th Dynasty, with 63 tombs discovered (including KV62, Tutankhamun; KV17, Seti I; KV9, Ramesses VI). The standard ticket covers 3 tombs of your choice from roughly 10 open in rotation. Tutankhamun's tomb (+£10) and Seti I (+£55) carry a supplement.
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
An architectural masterpiece of three terraces carved into the Theban cliff by Senenmut for the queen-pharaoh Hatshepsut. Wall scenes of the expedition to the Land of Punt. One of the five finest compositions of ancient Egypt.
Medinet Habu
The mortuary temple of Ramesses III: the best-preserved painted reliefs in Egypt (original pigments). Scenes of the battle against the Sea Peoples. Less busy than Karnak, so ideal for photos without the crowds. Often the favourite stop for SEV guests.
Colossi of Memnon
Two colossal statues (18 m) of Amenhotep III guard the entrance to his now-vanished mortuary temple. Famous for the "song of Memnon" (an acoustic phenomenon that stopped after a Roman restoration). A 15-20 min photo stop included.
Ramesseum
The mortuary temple of Ramesses II, the inspiration for Shelley's poem "Ozymandias". The collapsed 57-tonne colossus and the 48-column hypostyle hall speak of Ramesside excess. Less crowded: the perfect complement to the Valley of the Kings.
Tombs of the Nobles + Deir el-Medina
The tombs of the craftsmen and foremen who built the Valley of the Kings (Nakht, Sennefer, Ramose). Paintings of everyday scenes (fishing, farming, banquets) more colourful than the royal tombs. Included in the 2-day VIP combo.
SEV vs Civitatis vs GetYourGuide
| Package | SEV | Civitatis | GetYourGuide | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day East Bank, Karnak + Luxor | £35 | £40 | £45 | Private EN |
| Half-day full West Bank | £50 | £55 | £60 | Private EN |
| Full day East + West | £75 | £78 | £88 | Private EN |
| Day trip from Hurghada | £70 | n/a | £75-105 | Private EN |
| Hot-air balloon supplement | £80 | £85 | £95 | Group |
| Guiding format | Private English-speaking | Group EN | Group EN/FR | - |
| WhatsApp confirmation in 24h | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - |
With SEV, every excursion is 1-to-1 and English-speaking, with no other guests, hotel pick-up included and a WhatsApp quote confirmed in under 24 hours. Our prices are all-in (no hidden supplements) and include all standard tickets.
FAQ - Attractions in Luxor
How long do you need to visit Luxor properly?
A full day (East Bank in the morning, West Bank in the afternoon) covers the essentials: Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Memnon. To go deeper (Medinet Habu, the Tombs of the Nobles, Dendera, the Karnak sound-and-light show), allow 2 full days. Many SEV guests choose the £75 full day when they combine Luxor with a Nile cruise.
Is Tutankhamun's tomb worth the £10 supplement?
Yes if it is your first time in Luxor: you see the boy-pharaoh's mummy and the pink-granite sarcophagus (the gold treasure is at the Cairo Museum). On a tight budget, swap it for Ramesses VI (KV9) on the standard ticket - its astronomical ceilings are exceptional. Seti I (KV17, +£55) is visually the most spectacular but really one for the enthusiasts.
Can you visit Luxor on a day trip from Hurghada or Marsa Alam?
Yes - our excursion from Hurghada at £70 per person includes a private air-conditioned van (4h drive each way), an English-speaking guide, 2 major sites (typically Karnak + the Valley of the Kings + Hatshepsut) and lunch. Departs 4am, returns 7pm. From Marsa Alam: +£30 per person (the drive is 1.5h longer). An overnight in Luxor is possible (+£50) for a more comfortable pace.
When is the best time to visit Luxor?
October to April: 22-28°C, clear skies, perfect for archaeological visits. May to September: 38-45°C in the afternoon, so visits from 6am are essential. December to January = high season (prices +15%, book 3 months ahead). November and March are the ideal compromise of price and comfort.
Is the hot-air balloon over the Valley of the Kings safe?
Egyptian civil aviation tightened the rules in 2013: EASA-licensed pilots, balloons no more than 5 years old, and flights only at dawn (calm winds). SEV works with two certified operators (Sindbad and Magic Horizon). £80 with hotel transfer, sparkling wine on landing and a certificate. Free cancellation if the weather is poor.
Should you plan Nefertari's tomb in the Valley of the Queens?
Yes if your budget allows: QV66 (Nefertari) is considered the finest tomb in Egypt (polychrome fresco paintings, 1255 BC). Supplement +£70 per person, limited to 10 minutes per visitor. Booking 48h in advance is compulsory. We include it in the 2-day VIP combo on request (+£40).
Are the Luxor visits included in a Nile cruise?
Yes, for most standard cruises: Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut are included in the 4-5 night programmes. However, Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum, Dendera, Abydos and the hot-air balloon are NEVER included - add them pre or post-cruise. Our Little Golden Program and Glory of the Gods already combine everything.
Can you combine Luxor with Abu Simbel or Dendera in a day?
Abu Simbel is in the other direction (a 4h drive from Aswan, not Luxor). Dendera, on the other hand, is 1.5h from Luxor: a Dendera + Abydos day, 10 h is possible at £70 per person (including the Temple of Hathor, the Temple of Seti I and the oval hieroglyph). Bookable as a supplement or included in the 2-day VIP combo.
What is the Avenue of Sphinxes reopened in 2021?
The 2.7 km processional way that linked Karnak to Luxor Temple, lined with 1,057 sphinxes with human heads (from the time of Amenhotep III) and ram heads (from the time of Ramesses II). Inaugurated in November 2021 after 3,000 years underground - a global event covered by the BBC and Le Monde. A sound-and-light show every evening at 7pm.
Where can you have lunch with a Nile view in Luxor?
The Winter Palace Luxor (a historic 1886 hotel, Sofitel Legend) serves a 3-course buffet lunch at £35 in the colonial garden facing the Nile. A cheaper alternative: the Metropolitan Cafe (£20 per person, Egyptian cuisine). Our full days include the Nile View Restaurant (£25 per person). A Winter Palace upgrade is available on request.
Explore our sister excursions in Luxor too
- Attractions in Aswan: Philae & Abu Simbel
- Cairo: pyramids, the Grand Museum & Khan el-Khalili
- Little Golden Program: a 3-night Nile mini-cruise
- Glory of the Gods: a 7-night Luxor-Aswan cruise
- The Nile in a Dahabeya: a 7-night luxury cruise
- Nebyt Dahabiya: a charter-friendly cruise
- Nuun & Nuut: a duo of sister dahabiyas
- Cairo + Nile Cruise + Hurghada, 12 days
A Luxor Attractions Quote in 24h by WhatsApp
Tell us your date, the number of travellers and your starting point (Luxor / Hurghada / Marsa Alam). We build your programme around you and confirm within 24 hours.
WhatsApp +20 10 96569859 · A private English-speaking guide guaranteed · Tickets included
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