Private Day Tour to Luxor from Sharm El Sheikh with Domestic Flight
Discover the legendary temples and royal tombs of ancient Thebes in a single extraordinary day.
This Luxor day tour from Sharm El Sheikh delivers a complete immersion into the world's most concentrated collection of ancient Egyptian monuments, covering both the East and West Banks of the Nile in one well-organised private excursion.
Luxor, ancient Thebes and capital of the New Kingdom Pharaohs between 1570 and 1090 BC, preserves the largest wealth of archaeological sites in the entire Nile Valley. Travellers flying in from Sharm El Sheikh gain rapid access to this living archive of human civilisation without sacrificing an overnight stay.
Guided by a private Egyptologist, you move between the monumental Temple of Karnak on the East Bank and the necropolis of the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the towering Colossi of Memnon. The private format keeps the pace comfortable and the commentary personal throughout.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the vast Karnak Temple complex, a layered sanctuary dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu that was expanded by successive pharaohs over more than a millennium.
Descend into four royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including the celebrated tomb of Tutankhamun, the only royal burial discovered nearly intact in modern times.
Stand before the three-tiered mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the sole female pharaoh to rule Egypt in her own right.
View the Colossi of Memnon, the two largest surviving statues of ancient Egypt, carved during the reign of Amenhotep III and still dominating the Theban plain.
Travel between Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor by domestic flight, maximising time at the monuments and avoiding a lengthy overland journey.
Enjoy a fully private itinerary with a dedicated vehicle and expert guide, ensuring flexible pacing and uninterrupted access to each site.
Admire the vivid painted reliefs inside the tomb of Ramesses III, including the unique secular scenes of the blind harpists that gave the burial its alternative historic name.
Itinerary
1
Departure from Sharm El Sheikh
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Sharm El Sheikh Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor. On arrival at Luxor Airport, a private vehicle awaits to begin the day's programme.
2
Karnak Temple Complex — East Bank
The first stop is the immense Karnak complex, whose construction began around 2000 BC and continued through the New Kingdom. You explore the Hypostyle Hall, the obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmosis I, and the temple of Amun adorned with lotus and papyrus carvings, before visiting the temple of Ramesses III, a model of the complete Egyptian temple form.
3
Valley of the Kings — West Bank
Crossing to the West Bank, you enter the ancient necropolis of Thebes and visit four royal tombs. The itinerary includes the tomb of Tutankhamun, the tomb of Ramesses III with its colourful sunken reliefs and the famous harpers scene, the tomb of Ramesses IX featuring a spectacular astronomical ceiling and one of the valley's largest sarcophagi, and the tomb of Merenptah.
4
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut — Deir el-Bahari
The tour continues to the striking three-tiered mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set against the sheer limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Your guide explains how this pharaoh, an ancestor of Tutankhamun, shaped one of the most architecturally distinctive monuments of the ancient world.
5
Colossi of Memnon
The final stop on the West Bank is the pair of seated colossi of Amenhotep III, once the guardians of a vast mortuary temple of which little else remains. At over eighteen metres in height, these figures remain among the most imposing sculptures of antiquity.
6
Return Flight to Sharm El Sheikh
After the West Bank visits, your driver transfers you to Luxor Airport for the return domestic flight to Sharm El Sheikh, followed by a hotel drop-off to complete the day.
What Is Included
Included
Return domestic flights between Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor
Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout
Private licensed Egyptologist guide
Entrance fees to Karnak Temple
Entrance fees to Valley of the Kings (four tombs)
Entrance fee to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Visit to the Colossi of Memnon
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh
Not Included
Optional entry to the tomb of Tutankhamun (additional local fee)
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities for guide and driver
Meals and beverages
Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
This tour involves walking on uneven ancient surfaces and descending into tomb passages. Comfortable, closed-toe footwear and light, breathable clothing are strongly recommended. The tour difficulty is rated Easy, though a moderate level of mobility is required.
Duration
Approximately 12 hours in total, including flight time and ground transfers between sites.
Meeting Point
Pick-up is arranged from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. Specific timing is confirmed after booking.
What to Bring
Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, a light layer for air-conditioned spaces, and a refillable water bottle are advisable.
Cancellation
Please review the cancellation policy provided at the time of booking, as conditions may apply based on flight components included in this tour.
Accessibility
The Valley of the Kings involves sloped and stepped tomb passages. Guests with significant mobility limitations should consult us before booking.
Age Range
Suitable for all ages. Children are welcome and the private format allows the guide to adapt the narrative to younger travellers.
Reserve Your Private Luxor Day Tour
Secure your place on this private one-day journey to the monuments of ancient Thebes, departing from Sharm El Sheikh with all logistics arranged on your behalf.
Is the domestic flight included in the tour price?▼
Yes, the return domestic flight between Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor is included as part of the tour package.
How many tombs are visited in the Valley of the Kings?▼
The itinerary includes four royal tombs: the tomb of Tutankhamun, the tomb of Ramesses III, the tomb of Ramesses IX, and the tomb of Merenptah. Note that entry to the tomb of Tutankhamun carries a separate local fee payable on site.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Luxor?▼
This tour is designed specifically for travellers who want to cover the essential highlights of Luxor in a single day. The private Egyptologist guide provides full context for all major sites visited.
What is the best time of year to take this tour?▼
Luxor can be visited year-round, but temperatures are most comfortable between October and April. Summer months can be extremely hot, so early morning starts and hydration are particularly important during that period.
Are photography and cameras permitted inside the tombs?▼
Photography policies inside individual tombs in the Valley of the Kings vary and are subject to change by Egyptian antiquities authorities. Your guide will confirm the current rules on the day of the tour.
What should I wear for this tour?▼
Light, breathable clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is recommended out of respect for the sacred sites. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are essential given the uneven terrain inside the tombs and temple grounds.
Luxor Day TourValley of the KingsKarnak TempleQueen Hatshepsut TempleSharm El Sheikh ExcursionPrivate Egypt TourAncient ThebesColossi of MemnonTomb of TutankhamunNew Kingdom EgyptDomestic Flight TourNile Valley History
This tour connects two of Egypt's most visited destinations: Sharm El Sheikh, the Red Sea resort city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and Luxor, located on the east bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt approximately 670 kilometres to the southwest. Luxor sits on the site of ancient Thebes, capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom period (1570–1090 BC), and is recognised as one of the world's most significant open-air archaeological sites. The East Bank of the city contains major temples including Karnak, while the West Bank — historically designated the City of the Dead — encompasses the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. The domestic flight connection makes a same-day visit from Sharm El Sheikh logistically viable for travellers based at Red Sea resorts in the Sinai or South Sinai Governorate.
Tour Type: Private VIP Day Tour | Destination: Luxor, Upper Egypt | Transport: Domestic Flight (return) + Private Vehicle | Key Sites: Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari), Colossi of Memnon | Difficulty: Easy | Duration: 12 Hours | Traveller Profile: History enthusiasts, first-time Luxor visitors, resort guests seeking cultural day trips | Season: Year-round (optimal October–April)
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