Al Minya excursions departing from Hurghada
Al Minya 2-Day Private Trip from Hurghada
Al Minya 2-Day Trip from Hurghada takes you into Middle Egypt, where ancient cemeteries, temples and rock-cut tombs offer a different view of the country than the monuments around Cairo and Luxor. The journey is long, but it brings a quieter archaeological experience and the chance to visit sites connected with Egypt's Middle Kingdom and the Amarna period in one organised excursion.
Our team arranges the trip in a private vehicle, with road transfers planned around the sites and breaks built into the journey. A licensed Egyptologist guide explains what you are seeing as you walk, so you do not have to work out the details alone. Some visits involve uneven ground, steps and outdoor walking, making comfortable shoes and a reasonable level of mobility helpful.
The Bani Hassan tombs are cut into the eastern cliffs above the Nile Valley. Their wall paintings depict wrestling, hunting, farming and everyday activities, creating a vivid record of Middle Kingdom life. Your guide helps you follow the scenes and see how these tombs differ from the grand royal monuments found elsewhere in Egypt.
You will also visit the Tuna El Gebel cemetery, a large ancient burial area linked to the city of Hermopolis. The site is known for its underground galleries and distinctive animal burials, particularly those associated with the worship of Thoth. The desert setting is open and quiet, giving you time to see how religious practice shaped areas beyond the Nile's main settlements.
El Ashmunein is nearby and preserves the remains of ancient Hermopolis. Columns, scattered blocks and temple ruins hint at the city's former scale, while your guide explains the site's connection with Thoth, the ibis-headed god of wisdom and writing. Visiting El Ashmunein after Tuna El Gebel makes the religious history easier to follow, as the two places were closely connected.
The Tel El Amarna tombs take you into a later, very different chapter. These private tombs belonged to officials who served under Akhnaton, the pharaoh who founded a new capital devoted to the worship of the Aten. The art and inscriptions show how the period moved away from older conventions. The Roya tombs of King Akhnaton, also known as the Royal tomb of King Akhnaton, are set in the desert cliffs and are among the key stops in the Amarna area.
This tour is suited to travellers who want to see archaeological sites beyond the usual Egypt route and are comfortable spending substantial time on the road. Families with older children can take part if they are ready for early starts, heat and walking. It is less suitable for travellers looking for a relaxed resort break or for anyone who has difficulty with steps and uneven desert paths. We arrange the overnight accommodation and meals included in your programme, while your guide keeps the sightseeing practical and leaves time to rest between visits.
The route covers a considerable distance, so booking it as a private organised trip takes much of the planning off your hands. We coordinate the vehicle, transfers, guide and order of the sites, and our team remains available during the journey if you need clarification about the arrangements. Bring water, sun protection, a hat and sturdy walking shoes; site conditions can be warm and exposed, even when the road journey starts comfortably.
Overnight accommodation in Al Minya
Private air-conditioned vehicle for the 2-day excursion
Pickup and drop-off from your Hurghada accommodation
Meals included in the programme
Road transfers between the listed archaeological sites
Licensed Egyptologist guide
Gratuities
Entrance fees to the archaeological sites, unless stated otherwise
Drinks and meals not listed in the programme
Personal expenses
Any optional services not mentioned in the inclusions
Any required medication
Reusable water bottle
Valid passport or identification as required for the tour
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Small overnight bag rather than full luggage
Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Light clothing suitable for warm weather
The 2 day trip to Al Minya from Hurghada includes private road transport between Hurghada and Al Minya, visits to the main archaeological sites, and assistance from our local tour team. The sightseeing plan covers the Tel El Amarna tombs, the Royal tomb of King Akhnaton, Bani Hassan tombs, Tuna El Gebel cemetery and El Ashmunein.
Accommodation, meals, entrance fees and guide arrangements depend on the booking option selected, so check the inclusion list before confirming your trip.
This is a two-day archaeological excursion from Hurghada, with long road transfers and several site visits spread across the itinerary rather than completed in one rushed day. You will have time to walk through the Tel El Amarna tombs, visit the Royal tomb of King Akhnaton and explore the other sites at a practical sightseeing pace.
Travel between locations can be tiring, particularly in warm weather, so comfortable shoes, water and reasonable walking fitness are helpful.
Pickup for this private Al Minya tour is arranged from your accommodation in Hurghada, with the exact meeting point and departure details confirmed after booking. Our team then organises the road transfer to Al Minya and the return transfer at the end of the two-day excursion.
Share your hotel or accommodation details when you book so we can confirm the pickup arrangements and allow for any access restrictions around the property.
Children can usually join a private Al Minya tour, while travellers with limited mobility should discuss their needs with us before booking because the Bani Hassan tombs, Tuna El Gebel cemetery and other archaeological areas involve uneven ground, steps or walking.
A private vehicle allows the daily pace to be adjusted where possible, but some tombs and monuments may not be fully accessible. Tell our team about mobility concerns, medical needs or child seating requirements in advance.
Wear light, modest clothing and supportive walking shoes for the Al Minya archaeological sites, and bring water, sun protection, a hat and any personal medication you need. Loose layers are useful because temperatures can change between the open sites and enclosed tombs.
Bring your passport or accepted identification if requested for travel arrangements, along with a phone or camera if photography is permitted at the site on the day.
You can request the private 2 day Al Minya trip from Hurghada by providing your travel date, accommodation details and the number of travellers; our team will then confirm the arrangements and available booking options. Cancellation terms depend on the date and booking conditions shown before confirmation.
Read the cancellation policy carefully and contact us as soon as plans change, since deposits, entrance arrangements or transport reservations may affect what can be refunded.
Your unforgettable Egypt journey starts with a booking you can trust.
* Available on selected tours. Flights, cruises and special bookings may have different cancellation policies.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
Your Itinerary
Our team picks you up in Hurghada for the overland journey to Minya. The drive takes much of the morning, with a break arranged along the route, so you should expect a full travel day as well as time at the archaeological sites. After reaching the Minya area, continue south to the Bani Hassan tombs, cut into the eastern desert cliffs above the Nile.
Inside the tombs, your guide explains the scenes painted for provincial governors during Egypt’s Middle Kingdom. Look for detailed images of wrestling, hunting, farming and craftwork, which give the site a clear picture of daily life as well as burial customs. The approach includes uneven ground and steps, so comfortable shoes are useful. After the visit, transfer to your accommodation in Minya for the evening and rest before the next day’s sites.
Begin the second day with a visit to the Tuna El Gebel cemetery, a desert necropolis linked with the ancient city of Hermopolis. The site includes burial places, decorated chambers and the famous catacombs associated with sacred ibis and baboon mummies. Your guide will help you read the remains as part of the religious landscape rather than as isolated ruins.
Continue to El Ashmunein, the ancient Hermopolis, where the remains include columns, statues and traces of temples dedicated to Thoth. The open archaeological area is spread out, and the pace is usually unhurried, with time to walk between the main remains and hear how the city developed as a centre of worship and learning. Return to Minya after sightseeing. Keep water, sun protection and sturdy footwear with you; shade can be limited at both locations.
After breakfast, travel towards the Amarna area on the east bank of the Nile. Visit the Tel El Amarana tombs, where the rock-cut burial chambers preserve scenes connected with officials who served during the reign of Akhnaton. The tombs are reached across an exposed site, so allow time for walking and bring water, a hat and comfortable footwear.
Continue to the Roya tombs of King Akhnaton, the royal burial place associated with the short-lived capital built at Amarna. Your guide will set the tomb within Akhnaton’s religious reforms and explain the layout of the surrounding desert landscape. After the visit, begin the return transfer to Hurghada. The journey is long, and the exact arrival time depends on road conditions and the time spent at the sites. We arrange the day in a practical order so you can complete the sightseeing before the drive south and finish the three-day private excursion with drop-off in Hurghada.