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The terraced Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut set against the cliffs of Luxor's West Bank

From Safaga Port

Luxor East & West Bank Highlights

Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple in one carefully paced day.

Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor, Egypt · Photo: Alessandro Santoro

Departs from
Safaga Port
Destinations
Luxor
Estimated duration
12–13 hours
Activity level
Long day, uneven ground

Overview

This is the classic Luxor day from the Red Sea. After the desert crossing from Safaga, you begin on the East Bank at Karnak, the vast temple complex of Amun, before crossing the Nile to the West Bank.

There you descend into royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, stand beneath the terraces of the Temple of Hatshepsut, and pause at the Colossi of Memnon before the return drive to your ship.

Experience: Temples & tombs · Nile & landscapes

Massive carved sandstone columns at Karnak Temple in Luxor under a blue sky
Massive carved sandstone columns at Karnak Temple in Luxor under a blue sky
A stone passage descending into a painted royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings
A stone passage descending into a painted royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings
Aerial view of the Temple of Hatshepsut beneath the desert cliffs of Deir el-Bahari
Aerial view of the Temple of Hatshepsut beneath the desert cliffs of Deir el-Bahari

Guests on this route

  • Guests of Narmer Tours among the columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak
    Karnak Temple, Luxor

Highlights

  • The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Temple
  • Entry to selected royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
  • The terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
  • A stop at the Colossi of Memnon

Itinerary

Indicative order. Your guide may adjust it on the day for crowds, opening times and your return.

  1. On arrival

    Meet your guide at Safaga Port

    Board your private vehicle for the drive across the Eastern Desert to the Nile Valley.

  2. Morning

    Karnak Temple

    Walk the processional avenues and the forest of columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall with your Egyptologist.

  3. Midday

    Lunch break

    A break for lunch in Luxor. Arrangements and dietary needs are confirmed with your quote.

  4. Afternoon

    Valley of the Kings

    Visit a selection of royal tombs. Which tombs are open varies, and your guide chooses the best available.

  5. Afternoon

    Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon

    The temple of Egypt's great female pharaoh, then a photo stop at the twin colossi.

  6. Return

    Drive back to Safaga Port

    Departure from Luxor is timed from your all-aboard time, with a margin for the road.

What’s included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver(to be confirmed)
  • Licensed Egyptologist guide in English, or in Italian or Spanish on request(to be confirmed)
  • Entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary(to be confirmed)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle(to be confirmed)
  • Lunch(to be confirmed)

Not included

  • Gratuities for guide and driver
  • Personal purchases and optional extra site tickets
  • Travel insurance

Pickup and return to your ship

Pickup

Your guide meets you at Safaga Port once passengers are cleared to disembark. Exact meeting arrangements depend on the terminal and your ship, and are confirmed in writing with your itinerary.

Return planning

The road between Luxor and Safaga takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours each way. We set the time you leave Luxor from your ship's all-aboard time and build in a margin for traffic and rest stops. This itinerary needs a long day in port.

Time ashore needed: roughly 13 h 30 min between arrival and all-aboard (about 12–13 hours plus a return margin). We confirm this against your ship’s schedule before quoting.

Mobility and physical demands

Long day, uneven ground

  • Long time in the vehicle, with comfort stops on the desert road.
  • Tomb entrances involve ramps and some steps; corridors can be warm and narrow.
  • Hatshepsut's temple has a long ramp and an open approach with little shade.

Tell us about any mobility needs in your enquiry and we will advise honestly on what is comfortable.

Questions about this excursion

Is a Luxor day from Safaga realistic?

It can be, on a long port call. We check your arrival and all-aboard times first and only recommend it when the timing works with a safety margin.

Can we visit Tutankhamun's tomb?

Some tombs, including Tutankhamun's, may need separate tickets and opening varies. Ask in your enquiry and we will confirm what is possible on your date.

Plan this excursion

Price on request

Quoted for your group, date and requirements.

Check your time ashore

Use the times in your cruise documents, in local port time.

Request Availability

An enquiry is not a booking. No payment is taken.

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Luxor East & West Bank Highlights

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