This private Luxor day tour from Safaga Port takes you inland across the Eastern Desert to ancient Thebes, once the capital of Upper Egypt during the New Kingdom and now known as the world's largest open-air museum home to more standing temples and royal tombs than anywhere else in the country.
Your Aten Tours representative meets you at the Safaga Port cruise exit, then a private air-conditioned vehicle takes you on the roughly three-hour drive to Luxor just your group, your driver, and your own pace. The tour starts at Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built in Egypt, on the East Bank.
From there you cross the Nile to the West Bank for the Colossi of Memnon, the twin stone giants of Amenhotep III, then the Valley of the Kings, where you can enter three royal tombs (Tutankhamun's is usually the highlight), and finally the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Once the sites are done, you're driven back to Safaga Port in time for your ship.
This is one of several private Safaga Shore Excursions built for cruise passengers with a single day ashore. Here's how the day unfolds, stop by stop.To ask about timing or add a stop, message us on WhatsApp
Your Aten Tours representative meets you at the exit of the cruise terminal in Safaga Port. Then a private air-conditioned vehicle takes you on the roughly three-hour drive across the Eastern Desert to Luxor, your own group, your own pace, and no shared itinerary.
The first stop is Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built in Egypt, expanded by successive pharaohs over nearly 2,000 years. Your guide walks you through the site, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, where 134 columns rise as high as 24 meters, built to honor the god Amun.
From Karnak, you cross the Nile to the West Bank to see the Colossi of Memnon two seated statues of Amenhotep III, nearly 18 meters tall, all that remains standing of his funerary temple.
Next is the Valley of the Kings, a burial ground for dozens of New Kingdom pharaohs carved into the desert cliffs. You can enter three tombs on this visit; which ones are open varies by day, though Tutankhamun's tomb is usually among them.
The last stop is the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, built for Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh; its terraces rise from the desert floor and merge into the cliffs behind it.
Once the sites are covered, you're driven back to Safaga Port in time for your ship.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended — you'll be on your feet across several large sites, including uneven ground in the Valley of the Kings. Bring sun protection (a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses), as most of the day is outdoors with limited shade.
Access to tombs in the Valley of the Kings is limited to three per visit, and which tombs are open can change day to day based on site rotation; Tutankhamun's tomb is usually included but may require an additional ticket at the site.
This is a full-day tour with a long drive each way (around three hours), so it suits travelers comfortable with a longer day. Lunch is not included — bring snacks or be prepared to purchase food locally if you'd like something during the day.
Tour prices are valid outside of Egypt's high seasons (Christmas, New Year, and Easter); pricing during these periods may differ.
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At Aten Tours, we are proud to create experiences that leave lasting memories. Read genuine feedback from travelers who explored Egypt’s wonders, enjoyed luxury holidays, and discovered the world with confidence and ease.
Traveling solo in Egypt with Aten Tour was one of the best decisions I made. As a 22-year-old female traveler, I was a little nervous before arriving, but I felt safe and well looked after from day one. Everything was well organized, my guide was knowledgeable, kind, and always happy to help, and I never had to worry about a thing. The whole trip was smooth, enjoyable, and filled with unforgettable moments. I'm so glad I chose Aten Tour and would definitely travel with them again.
My fiancé and I booked a private 5-day tour of Egypt with Aten Tours, covering Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfectly organized. The team took care of every detail, making our trip completely stress-free. Our guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egypt's history, and every destination exceeded our expectations. Even after returning home, we still find ourselves talking about this unforgettable experience. We highly recommend Aten Tours to anyone looking for a well-planned and memorable trip to Egypt.
Traveling with Aten Tour made our vacation completely stress-free. Every hotel, transfer, and excursion was exactly as promised, and the team was always available whenever we had a question. We really appreciated the personal attention and warm hospitality throughout the trip. We came home with unforgettable memories and would definitely recommend Aten Tour to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
We booked an 8-day trip with Aten Tour, and it turned out to be one of our favorite vacations. Everything was well organized from start to finish, which made traveling around Egypt really easy. We never felt rushed, the hotels were great, and the team was always helpful whenever we needed anything. Egypt had been on our bucket list for a long time, and we're so glad we chose Aten Tour for this experience.
Our family booked a tour with Aten Tour after reading several positive reviews, and they definitely lived up to our expectations. Communication before the trip was quick and helpful, and everything during the tour was exactly as described. The hotels were comfortable, the transportation was smooth, and the guides made every stop interesting with their stories and local knowledge. Egypt had always been a dream destination for us, and this trip made it even more memorable.
All FAQ about Egypt
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), and water, since most of the day is spent outdoors at large archaeological sites with limited shade.
No, lunch is not included on this tour. You're welcome to bring snacks or purchase food locally in Luxor.
Visitors can enter three tombs per visit. Which tombs are open varies day to day, though Tutankhamun's tomb is usually among them.
Everything on this Luxor day trip is handled for you except one thing: the meal. You'll be collected and returned to Safaga Port, driven in your own air-conditioned vehicle with a private English-speaking Egyptologist, and admitted to each stop: Karnak Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which is already paid for. Water and soft drinks come along in the vehicle, but you'll need to arrange lunch yourself.
Luxor is around 220 km from Safaga Port, roughly a three-hour drive each way by private air-conditioned vehicle across the Eastern Desert.
