Top Luxor Day Trips from Port Ghalib
Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel 2-Day Tour from Port Ghalib
The Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel two-day tour from Port Ghalib covers several major ancient sites in southern Egypt in one overland trip. You travel by private vehicle with a guide, leaving the Red Sea coast for the temples, tombs and river views of Upper Egypt. The route includes long stretches on the road, but it suits travellers who want to see the main sites without arranging separate transfers.
In Luxor, the first main visit is the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in rock-cut tombs. Your guide explains how the tombs were planned, decorated and used as you explore the chambers open to visitors that day. Their paintings still show fine detail, including gods, offerings and scenes of the journey through the afterlife. The valley has uneven ground and strong sun, so comfortable shoes and water are important.
The west bank continues at Queen Hatshepsut Temple, built against the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. Its broad terraces and long ramps feel very different from the underground tombs. Reliefs tell Hatshepsut’s royal story and show her trading expedition to Punt. Nearby, the Colossi of Memnon make a brief but worthwhile stop before you cross to Luxor’s east bank and Karnak.
Karnak Temple is a large complex made up of many buildings and spaces. You walk along its processional approach, enter the Great Hypostyle Hall and see rows of huge columns covered in carved inscriptions. The scale becomes clearer as you pass through courtyards, sanctuaries and obelisks. A licensed Egyptologist explains the different construction periods, making the site easier to follow than it would be on a quick visit alone.
After Luxor, you continue towards Aswan, where the Nile changes the surrounding landscape. The visit to Phiala Temple, commonly spelled Philae Temple, takes place on Agilkia Island. The temple complex was moved after construction of the Aswan High Dam affected the original island. You reach the island by boat, adding a short transfer to the visit, then have time to look at the reliefs, gateways and riverside views at a slower pace.
The second day centres on the Abu Simbel temples, south of Aswan. The larger temple was built for Ramses II and has four colossal seated figures carved into the cliff façade. The smaller temple honours Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Painted reliefs and carved scenes inside show the religious and royal purpose of the complex. The drive to Abu Simbel is long, so this part of the tour suits travellers who value the site enough to accept an early start and substantial time on the road.
We keep the journey private, giving you more control over rest stops, photo breaks and the pace of each visit than a large group excursion. The route suits adults, families with older children and travellers who are comfortable with long drives and walking across archaeological sites. It is less suitable for anyone who needs frequent short transfers, finds heat difficult or has limited mobility without a companion. We can explain the day’s road plan, meeting points and site access before travel.
Transport, guiding and overnight arrangements are coordinated as one programme, so you do not need to arrange separate local transfers between Port Ghalib, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. Bring the passport or identification used for the booking, keep essential medication in your hand luggage and choose light clothing with good sun protection. Your guide will confirm the practical details for the road sections and sightseeing stops before departure.
One-night accommodation as arranged for the tour
Private air-conditioned vehicle for the two-day programme
Licensed Egyptologist guide
Pickup and drop-off from Port Ghalib
Visits to the listed archaeological sites
Any optional services not listed in the inclusions
Meals and drinks not specified in the booking details
Entrance fees to the archaeological sites, unless stated in your booking details
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Passport or valid identification used for the booking
A reusable water bottle
Light clothing suitable for temple visits
Small overnight bag for the two-day route
Comfortable walking shoes
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Any required medication
This two-day tour from Port Ghalib includes private vehicle transfers and a tour guide for visits to The Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut temple, Karnak temple, Phiala temple and the Abu Simbel temples. The sightseeing order and any additional inclusions are confirmed in your booking details.
Entrance tickets, meals and accommodation should be checked against the inclusions shown at the time of booking, as they are not specified in the tour brief.
The Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel tour from Port Ghalib lasts two days and includes substantial travel by private vehicle as well as guided visits to major temples and tombs. It is a full sightseeing schedule, so you should be comfortable with early starts, road journeys and several hours of walking across archaeological sites.
Your guide will organise the visits in a practical order and allow time for stops during the route where appropriate.
Pickup for this two-day Egypt tour is arranged from Port Ghalib, with transfers between Port Ghalib, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel provided by private vehicle. Your confirmed booking should state the pickup point and arrangements, so please provide accurate accommodation or meeting-point details when you book.
Because the route covers several destinations, the vehicle remains an important part of the tour between guided visits.
The tour can suit families with older children, but it is demanding for very young children and travellers with limited mobility because the programme includes long road transfers, outdoor walking, uneven surfaces and steps at some historic sites. Queen Hatshepsut temple, Karnak temple and the Abu Simbel temples each require walking between areas.
Tell our team about mobility needs before booking so we can explain the route and discuss what assistance may be possible. A wheelchair user may need additional planning.
Wear light, comfortable clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, supportive walking shoes and sun protection for the outdoor sites on this two-day tour. Bring water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, personal medication and the booking or identification documents requested for your trip.
Temperatures can change between early travel, open archaeological areas and indoor spaces, so a light extra layer is useful. Keep valuables and important documents secure during transfers.
You can request the two-day tour from Port Ghalib by submitting your travel date, accommodation or pickup point and the number of travellers. Our team can then confirm the arrangements, available vehicle and guide details, along with the inclusions that apply to your booking.
Cancellation terms depend on the booking conditions for your selected date and service. Read those terms before payment, and contact us as soon as possible if your plans change.
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
Our team collects you from your accommodation in Port Ghalib in a private vehicle, then begins the long transfer towards Luxor with a private guide. On arrival, you visit The Valley of the Kings, where the tombs are cut into the desert cliffs on the west bank of the Nile. Your guide explains how the burial chambers were prepared for New Kingdom rulers, and you enter the tombs included in your visit. Continue to Queen Hatshepsut temple, built in terraces against the limestone cliffs, before stopping at the Colossi of Memnon for photographs.
After a meal stop at a local restaurant, cross to the east bank for Karnak temple. Follow the processional way into the great complex and see the hypostyle hall, obelisks and temple courts. The visit requires walking over uneven stone surfaces, so comfortable shoes and water are useful. After Luxor, continue by private vehicle towards Aswan. The transfer is lengthy, and the route includes rest stops as needed before you reach your overnight accommodation or arranged base in Aswan.
Continue the tour from Aswan with your guide and visit Phiala temple, reached by a short boat ride across the lake. The temple complex stands on an island and was relocated during the Nile dam projects, preserving its courtyards, columns and reliefs dedicated to Isis. Allow time to walk through the main gateway and photograph the temple from the water before returning to the mainland.
Travel onward by private vehicle to Abu Simbel. At the Abu Simbel temples, see the four large seated figures on the façade of the Great Temple and then enter the decorated halls leading towards the sanctuary. The nearby temple of Hathor, built for Queen Nefertari, has its own carved façade and painted interior. A meal or refreshment stop is arranged during the route where practical. After the visit, begin the return transfer to Port Ghalib; the drive is long, so expect rest breaks and a late arrival depending on road conditions and the day’s pace.