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Attractions in Luxor: Private English-speaking Excursions
Visiting Luxor means walking through 4,000 years of history in one day: the Karnak temple 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 Habou, the Colossi of Memnon, the Ramesseum…The largest open-air museum in the world. At SEV, private English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, tickets included - from $40/pers.
What to do in Luxor? Ancient Thebes concentrates 30% of Egyptian archaeological heritage, distributed between East Bank Luxor (temples of the living: Karnak, Luxor) and West Bank Luxor (royal necropolis: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habou). In one full day Luxor you cover the essentials; in 2 days you add Valley of the Nobles, Dendera and the sound and light of Karnak. We build your tailor-made program - half day, full day Luxor, excursion from Hurghada, or 2-day VIP combo. Each package includes private English-speaking guide, door-to-door air-conditioned transportation, mineral water and all entrance fees.
Our 5 Luxor Excursion Packages
Karnak Temple (large hypostyle room, obelisks) + Luxor temple (alley of the sphinxes restored 2021).
- Private English-speaking guide
- Tickets included
- Return hotel transfer
- Water + refreshed towels
Valley of the Kings (3 standard tombs) + Hatshepsut temple (Deir el-Bahari) + Medinet Habou + Colossi of Memnon + Ramesseum (quick view).
- All standard tickets included
- Optional Tutankhamun tomb +$10
- Ramesseum + Memnon photo stops
East Bank + West Bank combined in one day: Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, Memnon, Ramesseum. Nile view lunch included.
- 3-course lunch with Nile view
- All tickets included
- Optional felucca break +$10
Private van return Hurghada-Louxor (4 hours drive each) + East/West Bank day. Departure 4 a.m., return 7 p.m.
- Private air-conditioned van
- Guide + driver included
- 2 major sites according to choice
- Snack + lunch included
Hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, the Ramesseum and the Nile. To pair with Rive Ouest.
- Hotel transfer included
- Champagne upon landing
- Flight certificate
The Essential Sites of Luxor - What to Do in Luxor in Detail?
Karnak Temple
The largest religious complex of Antiquity (2 km²). The hypostyle room houses 134 columns of 23 m. Obelisks of Hatshepsut (29 m, the tallest in Egypt still standing), sacred lake, scarab of Tutmosis III. Visit 1:30-2 hours. In the evening: bilingual French sound and light ($40reserved for the 2-day combo).
Luxor Temple
Connected to Karnak byavenue of the sphinxes of 2.7 km reopened in November 2021 after 3,000 years. Remaining obelisk (its twin adorns the Place de la Concorde in Paris). Impressive at night with contemporary lighting. 45 min visit is enough.
Valley of the Kings
Royal necropolis of the 18th-20th centurye dynasty with 63 tombs discovered (including KV62 of Tutankhamun, KV17 of Seti I, KV9 of Ramesses VI). Standard ticket = 3 tombs to choose from among ≈10 open in rotation. The tomb of Tutankhamun ($10) and Séthi I (+$70) are at an additional cost.
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
Architectural masterpiece in three terraces carved into the cliff of Thebes by Sénènmout for the queen-pharaoh Hatshepsut. Wall scenes from the expedition to the land of Punt. One of the five most beautiful compositions of ancient Egypt.
Medinet Habou
Funerary temple of Ramses III: the best preserved polychrome reliefs in Egypt (original pigments). Scenes from the battle against the Sea Peoples. Less crowded than Karnak - ideal for crowd-free photos. Often the preferred step for SEV customers.
Colossi of Memnon
Two colossal statues (18 m) of Amenhotep III guard the entrance to his funerary temple which has now disappeared. Famous for the "song of Memnon" (acoustic phenomenon which disappeared after the Roman restoration). 15-20 min photo stop included.
Ramesseum
Funerary temple of Ramses II, inspiration from Shelley's poem "Ozymandias". The collapsed colossus weighing 57 tonnes and the hypostyle room with 48 columns bear witness to Ramesside excess. Less frequented: perfect complement to the Valley of the Kings.
Valley of the Nobles + Deir el-Medina
Tombs of the craftsmen and foremen who built the Valley of the Kings (Nakht, Sennefer, Ramose). Paintings of everyday scenes (fishing, agriculture, banquets) more colorful than the royal tombs. Included in the 2-day VIP combo.
Comparative SEV vs Civitatis vs GetYourGuide
| Formula | SEV | Civitatis | GetYourGuide | Fashion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half day East Bank Karnak + Luxor | $40 | $50 | $60 | Private FR |
| Half-day full West Bank | $60 | $70 | $70 | Private FR |
| Full day East + West | $90 | $90 | $110 | Private FR |
| Day trip from Hurghada | $80 | n/a | $90-$130 | Private FR |
| Hot air balloon supplement | $100 | $100 | $120 | Grouped |
| Guidance mode | English-speaking private | Grouped FR | Grouped EN/FR | - |
| WhatsApp confirmation 24h | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - |
At SEV: each excursion is 1-to-1 English-speaking, without other clients, hotel pick-up included, WhatsApp quote confirmed in less than 24 hours. Our prices are net (no hidden extras) and include all standard tickets.
FAQ - Attractions in Luxor
How long does it take to visit Luxor properly?
A full day (East Bank morning + West Bank afternoon) covers the essential : Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Memnon. To see in depth (Médinet Habou, Vallée des Nobles, Denderah, Karnak sound and light), allow 2 full days. Many SEV customers choose the full day for $90when they combine Luxor with a Nile cruise.
Is Tutankhamun's tomb worth the extra $10?
Yes if this is your first visit to Luxor: you will see the mummy of the child pharaoh and the pink granite sarcophagus (the gold treasure is in the Cairo Museum). If budget is tight, replace with Ramesses VI (KV9) in the standard ticket - exceptional astronomical ceilings. Séthi I (KV17, +$70) is visually the most spectacular but reserved for enthusiasts.
Can you visit Luxor during the day from Hurghada or Marsa Alam?
Yes - our formula Excursion from Hurghada $80/pers includes private air-conditioned van (4 hours drive each way), English-speaking guide, 2 major sites (typically Karnak + Valley of the Kings + Hatshepsut), lunch. Departure 4 a.m., return 7 p.m. From Marsa Alam: +$30/pers (road + 1h30). Hotel room in Luxor possible (+$60) 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-September: 38-45°C in the afternoon, visits from 6 a.m. mandatory. December-January = high season (price +15%, book 3 months in advance). November and March = ideal price/comfort compromise.
Is hot air ballooning over the Valley of the Kings safe?
Egyptian civil aviation tightened standards in 2013: EASA licensed pilots, new balloons ≤5 years old, flights only at dawn (calm winds). SEV works with two certified operators (Sindbad & Magic Horizon). $100with hotel transfer, champagne upon landing and certificate. Free cancellation if bad weather.
Should we plan the tomb of Nefertari at the Valley of the Queens?
Yes if your budget allows it: QV66 (Nefertari) is considered the most beautiful tomb in Egypt (polychrome fresco paintings, 1255 BC). Supplement +$90/person, limited to 10 minutes per visitor. Reservation 48 hours in advance required. We include it in the 2-day VIP combo on request (+$50).
Are Luxor tours included in a Nile cruise?
Yes for most standard cruises : Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut are included in the 4-5 night programs. On the other hand, Medinet Habou, Ramesseum, Dendera, Abydos and the hot air balloon are NEVER included - to be added pre/post-cruise. Our Little Golden Program and The Glory of the Gods already combine everything.
Can we combine Luxor with Abu Simbel or Dendera in one day?
Abu Simbel is in the other direction (4 hours drive from Aswan, not Luxor). Dendera, on the other hand, is 1 hour 30 minutes from Luxor: day excursion Dendera + Abydos 10 a.m. possible at $90/person (includes temple of Hathor, temple of Seti I, oval hieroglyph). To be booked in addition or included in the 2-day VIP combo.
What is the Alley of the Sphinxes reopened in 2021?
The 2.7 km processional route which connected Karnak to the temple of Luxor, lined with 1,057 sphinxes with human heads (time of Amenhotep III) and ram heads (time of Ramesses II). Inaugurated in November 2021 after 3,000 years of burial - a global event relayed by the BBC and Le Monde. Sound and light show every evening at 7 p.m.
Where to have lunch with a view of the Nile in Luxor?
The Winter Palace Luxor (historic hotel 1886, Sofitel Legend) serves a 3-course buffet lunch for $40in the colonial garden facing the Nile. Cheaper alternative: the Metropolitan Café ($20/person, Egyptian cuisine). Our full days include the Nile View Restaurant ($30/pers). Winter Palace upgrade available upon request.
Also explore our sister excursions in Luxor
- Attractions in Aswan: Philae & Abu Simbel from $40
- Cairo: pyramids, Grand Museum & Khan-el-Khalili
- Little Golden Program: Nile Mini Cruise 3 nights
- The Glory of the Gods: Luxor-Aswan Cruise 7 nights
- The Nile in Dahabeya: Luxury cruise 7 nights
- Nebyt Dahabiya: Private cruise
- Nuun & Nuut: Duo Dahabiyas sisters
- Cairo + Nile Cruise + Hurghada 12 days
Luxor Attractions Quote in 24 hours by WhatsApp
Tell us your date, the number of people and your departure point (Luxor / Hurghada / Marsa Alam). We build your tailor-made program and confirm within 24 hours.
WhatsApp +20 10 96569859 · Guaranteed private English-speaking guide · Tickets included
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