Private Luxor Day Trip from El Gouna

Luxor's Royal & Sacred Wonders: Day Trip from El Gouna

Your incredible journey begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in El Gouna. Settle into a comfortable, air-conditioned private vehicle for a scenic drive of approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes to Luxor, including a refreshing stop along the way for breakfast, snacks, or coffee.

Explore the Valley of the Kings

Upon arrival in Luxor, prepare to enter the Valley of the Kings, a truly royal welcome! Once protected by blindfolded workers to safeguard the kings' treasures, you can now arrive seamlessly. This awe-inspiring necropolis, scattered with royal tombs, reveals the profound secrets of the pharaohs' afterlife world, from the earliest burials to the very last tomb sealed. Your main entrance ticket allows you to explore up to three of the best-preserved open tombs. Discover vibrant, colorful inscriptions from ancient Egyptian funerary texts such as the Book of the Dead, Book of Gates, Book of Caverns, Book of the Heavenly Cow, Amduat (Book of What is in the Underworld), and the Litany of Ra. Witness compelling scenes depicting the soul's journey, judgment before Osiris, and the rewards awaiting the righteous in the afterlife.

Your Egyptologist will recommend three of the finest tombs from those typically open, which often include KV2—Tomb of Ramses IV, KV6—Tomb of Ramses IX, KV1—Tomb of Ramses VII, KV8—Tomb of Merenptah, KV14—Tomb of Tausert & Setnakht, and KV15—Tomb of Seti II. Should you desire to visit the famed KV62—Tomb of Tutankhamun, KV17—Tomb of Seti I, or KV9—Tomb of Ramses V and Ramses VI, please inform your Egyptologist at the entrance for assistance in booking the separate tickets, which incur extra fees not included in the main tour cost.

Discover Hatshepsut Temple

Upon completing your visit to the Valley of the Kings, your next destination is the magnificent Hatshepsut Temple. Marvel at the harmonic facade of this unique temple, dazzlingly carved into the Deir El Bahari cliff. Wander through its three horizontal terraces, transporting you to the era of this remarkable lady who successfully ruled ancient Egypt (1479–1458 BCE, 18th Dynasty, New Kingdom)—a rare feat for a woman in her time.

Stroll through grand colonnaded halls, imagine lush gardens, and follow sphinx-lined pathways. Explore the Chapel of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of music, joy, and motherhood, alongside the Chapel of Anubis and the Sanctuary of Amun. Witness the intricate Punt Expedition Reliefs depicting Queen Hatshepsut's famous journey, and ponder the mystery surrounding the assumption that she ruled from the Birth Colonnade. From Deir El Bahri, you then move to the Colossi of Memnon.

Stand in Awe in front of the Colossi of Memnon

Encounter the colossal Colossi of Memnon, two massive seated statues, each weighing 720 tons and standing 18 meters (60 feet) tall, representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Uncover their enduring mysteries, including the legendary sounds that were once said to emanate from their interiors at dawn. These majestic figures once adorned the entrance to the greatest mortuary temple in Thebes. Afterward, you'll cross to the east side of Luxor, leaving the Thebes Necropolis behind.

Enjoy a Delicious Lunch

In a local restaurant, savor a tasty lunch meal rich with flavors that beautifully reflect Egypt's vibrant culture.

Visit the Karnak Temple Complex

Your final stop is the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple Complex, the world's largest temple . This monumental site takes you on a journey through millennia of Egyptian history, with additions made by pharaohs from the 30th Dynasty (around 380 BCE) to Philip III Arrhidaeus (around 323–317 BCE).

Cross the impressive First Pylon (Entrance Gateway) and explore a segment of the Avenue of Ram-headed Sphinxes. Enter the Great Hypostyle Hall, a breathtaking "forest" of 134 massive columns. Discover the sacred Sacred Lake (used exclusively by priests), the Red Chapel, towering obelisks (including those of Hatshepsut and Thutmose I), the serene Sanctuary of Amun (Inner Holy of Holies), the remnants of the Taharqa Column, and the largest scarab beetle sculpture found in Egypt. You'll wander through the legacies of pharaohs such as Nectanebo I, Ramesses III, Seti I, Ramesses II, Amenhotep III, Hatshepsut, Philip Arrhidaeus, Thutmose III, and Akhenaten, among others.

Your visit at Karnak Temple concludes, and it's time to return to El Gouna. Enjoy the comfortable journey of approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in your air-conditioned vehicle, filled with unforgettable memories. You will arrive back at your hotel in El Gouna.

Meals: Lunch