Luxor Day Trips Departing from El Gouna
Luxor and Abu Simbel Two-Day Tour from El Gouna
Luxor and Abu Simbel two-day tour from El Gouna puts two of Egypt’s major ancient sites into one private trip. You travel south with our team to see Luxor’s temples and royal tombs, then continue to Abu Simbel for a closer look at the temples built by Ramesses II. It is a demanding schedule, suited to travellers who want to see more of Upper Egypt without arranging several separate transfers.
In Luxor, the visits take you along both sides of the Nile. On the East Bank, Karnak temple lets you walk through vast courts, rows of columns and processional spaces. Luxor temple follows a more compact route past pylons, statues and carved walls. Your guide explains how the temples were used and how their histories connect, making the stonework easier to understand than it would be on a quick independent visit.
The West Bank centres on places linked to Egypt’s New Kingdom rulers. At The Valley of the Kings, you enter the open tombs available that day and follow painted corridors into the hillside. The route includes the Tomb of the Young Pharaoh Tutankhamon when access is available under the ticket arrangement. It is modest in size beside some of the other tombs, but the painted burial chamber and link to the famous young king make it a memorable stop.
You also visit Queen Hatshepsut temple, built in terraces against the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. The approach gives you a clear view of its broad levels, ramps and surviving reliefs. Nearby, The Colossi of Memnon make a short outdoor stop beside two enormous seated statues. It is a good place for photographs and to hear how they once guarded the entrance to a much larger temple complex.
The second part of the tour takes you to the Abu Simbel temples, where the scale changes again. The main temple has four large seated figures of Ramesses II on its façade, while the smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Inside, your guide points out the reliefs, columns and sanctuary layout. Abu Simbel is far from Luxor, so the journey takes time; the reward is seeing the temples in person rather than treating them as a distant add-on.
Transport is arranged in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, with road stops planned along the route where practical. Your guide keeps the sightseeing focused and helps with entrance procedures, local context and the walking required at each site. The pace is active: expect uneven ground, steps, sun exposure and long periods on the road. Travellers with mobility concerns should contact us before booking so we can discuss the route and available adjustments.
This excursion suits couples, families with older children and small groups who prefer a private schedule. It is less suitable if you want slow mornings or short transfers, since the distance between El Gouna and southern Egypt requires early departures. We organise the transport, guiding and overnight arrangements together, so you do not need to coordinate separate drivers, tickets and connections. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection and your passport or required travel identification for the journey.
Private air-conditioned vehicle and transfers throughout the tour
Entrance fees to the listed archaeological sites
One-night accommodation during the tour
Licensed Egyptologist guide during sightseeing
Pickup and drop-off from El Gouna hotels
Optional entry tickets not listed in the inclusions
Meals and drinks unless specified in the booking details
Personal expenses and shopping
Any accommodation in El Gouna before or after the tour
Tips for the guide and driver
Camera or phone with spare battery or power bank
Passport or required travel identification
Light clothing suitable for warm weather and a layer for the vehicle
Comfortable walking shoes
Water and any personal medication
Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
This private two-day tour includes pickup from El Gouna, transfers between the planned sightseeing stops, and visits to Luxor and the Abu Simbel temples with our team. The itinerary covers Luxor Temple, Karnak temple, The Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut temple, The Colossi of Memnon, and the Tomb of the Young Pharaoh Tutankhamon.
Accommodation, meals, entrance tickets, and any domestic travel arrangements depend on the package selected and are shown in your booking details. We confirm the practical arrangements before travel.
The Luxor and Abu Simbel tour from El Gouna is a full two-day sightseeing trip with long transfers and several historic sites, so it suits travellers who are comfortable with early starts, road travel, and walking. We plan the visits in a practical order so you can see the main sites without rushing every stop.
You will spend time walking through temple courtyards and around archaeological sites, with uneven ground and steps at some locations. A private tour gives our team more flexibility to adjust short breaks where the schedule allows.
Our team arranges pickup from your accommodation in El Gouna and private transfers for the two-day itinerary, with the exact pickup time confirmed before departure. The route connects El Gouna with Luxor and then continues to the Abu Simbel temples according to the travel arrangements selected for your booking.
Please provide your accommodation details when you book so we can coordinate the pickup and return drop-off. Travel times can vary with traffic, checkpoints, and the final transport plan.
Children can join this private Luxor and Abu Simbel tour, but the long travel days and walking between ancient sites may be demanding for younger travellers. Travellers with limited mobility can also enquire, although The Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut temple, and temple courtyards may include uneven surfaces, steps, or distances without shade.
Tell us about mobility needs, age, or medical considerations when booking. We can explain the access at each stop and discuss a realistic sightseeing pace before confirming the arrangements.
Wear light, comfortable clothing, supportive walking shoes, and clothing that covers the shoulders and knees when visiting temples and other religious or historic sites. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, any required medication, and a small bag for personal items.
A phone or camera is useful, although photography rules can differ inside tombs and museums. Keep your passport or required identification with you if the travel arrangements call for it, and carry only essentials during site visits.
You can request the private two-day tour through our booking process by providing your preferred travel date, El Gouna accommodation details, and traveller information. We then confirm the itinerary, pickup arrangements, inclusions, and any required travel details before the trip.
Cancellation terms depend on the booking conditions shown for your selected package. Review those terms before payment, and contact our team as soon as possible if your plans change so we can explain the available options.
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
Your Itinerary
We collect you from El Gouna in the early morning for the drive to Luxor. After arriving on the west bank, you visit The Valley of the Kings, where tombs were cut into the desert cliffs for Egypt’s New Kingdom rulers. The visit includes the Tomb of the Young Pharaoh Tutankhamon, subject to access on the day; its burial chamber is known for the painted scenes and the remains of the young king.
Your guide then leads you to the Queen Hatshepsut temple, built in rising terraces beneath the cliffs. At the nearby Colossi of Memnon, you pause for photographs before crossing the Nile to Luxor’s east bank. There, you visit Karnak temple, walking through its courtyards, columns and sacred precincts, followed by Luxor temple if time and opening arrangements allow. After the sightseeing, we continue by road to Aswan for the overnight stay. The day involves several hours of driving and walking on uneven stone surfaces, so comfortable shoes and water are useful.
We leave Aswan early for the road south to the Abu Simbel temples. The journey takes several hours, with a comfort stop arranged where practical. On arrival, your guide explains the setting and history before you enter the two rock-cut temples beside Lake Nasser. The larger temple was built for Ramesses II, while the smaller temple honours Queen Nefertari. Inside, look for the tall statues, carved halls and wall scenes that record royal ceremonies and military victories.
Allow time to walk around the forecourts and view the temple façades from different angles. The site is open and exposed, so a hat, sun protection and comfortable footwear will help, particularly during the warmer part of the day. After the visit, we begin the long private road transfer back towards El Gouna. This is a demanding travel day, with the return journey taking much of the afternoon and evening; we plan rest stops along the route and drop you at your El Gouna accommodation at the end of the two-day tour.