"Overall it was a fantastic holiday for us. The children (girls of 11, 13, 15) enjoyed it very much. Some real highlights and memories."
The Wheeler Family (Grand Egyptian Adventure) |
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LUXOR
 Our Egypt tours that visit Luxor
Luxor is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations and is one of the world’s greatest open air museums. The town is located on the banks of the river Nile, approximately 670 km south of Cairo. It stretches out along the east bank of the river with many hotels, shops and restaurants located on the Corniche, which runs along the side of the river.
The name Luxor derives from the Arabic ‘El-Uqsur’ which means ‘The City of Palaces’ and the town is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes which was the capital of the 'New Kingdom Pharaohs' (1570-1090 BC). There was much architectural activity throughout the period as each king wanted to leave their mark on this world for all eternity and this is why Luxor now boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley.
There are direct charter flights to Luxor available from most UK airports and there are also direct scheduled flights available with British Airways and Egypt Air from London Heathrow. Neither of these run every day of the week however, so we will tailor-your itinerary to fit your flight dates if you do fly in direct. Many visitors also arrive in Luxor on the overnight train from Cairo or on one of the many Nile cruise boats and felucca sail-boats which sail along the Nile from Aswan.
 While there is so much to see that you could spend at least a week visiting sites in and around Luxor, it is possible to visit all the main sites within two or three days, which is the amount of time our tours normally spend here. The most important sites are split between the East and West Banks of the Nile, which allows for two distinct day tours. On the East Bank which is the ‘City of the Living’ there are the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and on the West Bank which is the 'City of the Dead’ is located the Valley of the Kings & Queens with its rock-hewn tombs, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, as well as many other sites.
The Temple of Luxor is located in the centre of town and was built by Amenophis III (1417-1379 BC) for the worship of the god Amun Ra and was later enlarged by Ramses II (1304-1237 BC). Karnak Temple is located 3 km north of Luxor and is a huge complex of temples covering 100 acres. Its history spans thirteen centuries and it was once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt.
 The Valley of the Kings, located on the West bank of the Nile was known as ‘the Place of Truth’ and is where the burial tombs of the New Kingdom Pharaohs are located. The tombs were hewn from the rock and were intended to protect the mummies of the pharaohs from grave robbers. There are over 60 tombs which have been excavated and the earliest is said to be that of Tuthmosis I (1525-1512BC), while probably the most famous is that of Tutankhamun which was discovered in 1922 (this tomb is however, not normally open to the public).
The Valley of the Queens was once known as the ‘Place of Beauty’ and there over 80 tombs here. The valley also contains the tombs of high officials and also the tombs of the Royal children. Some of the tombs are no more than holes in the ground but some of the most elaborately decorated tombs rival those found in the Valley of the Kings.
The Temple of Queen Hatchepsut is built on three terraces and merges with the sheer cliffs of the Theban mountains it was originally surrounded by myrrh trees and had an avenue of sphinxes leading to the Nile. Queen Hatchepsut was the only woman ever to reign over Egypt as a pharaoh and she is depicted in masculine form wearing a pharaoh’s kilt and beard.
Also on the West Bank are the Colossi of Memnon, two 18 feet high statues which are the only remains of the temple of Amenophis III, the Ramesseum which is Ramses II funerery temple and the Medinat Habu temple which is the giant mortuary temple complex of Ramses III.
 As well as visiting the main historical sites in Luxor, there are also a number of other options available in Luxor and these include a spectacular early morning hot air balloon flight over the Valley of the Kings, and a Sound & Light Show at Karnak temple which recounts the history of Thebes and the lives of the Pharaohs who built these ancient temples and monuments. Felucca sailboats line the banks of the river and a sunset felucca trip is a popular way to end a day in Luxor.
You can also take horse, donkey and camel trips out into the desert. If you have extra time in Luxor, then a day-trip to the temples at Abydos & Dendara is well worth doing.
Tours including Luxor
| Tour |
Country |
Duration |
Price |
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| Egyptian Family Adventure |
Egypt |
13 days |
From UK£650 |
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Cairo, Aswan (felucca or luxury cruise) Luxor, Red Sea (Hurghada). This family adventure gives you a taste of everything that Egypt has to offer. The Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo, and temples and tombs in Luxor provide the main sightseeing, and a short desert camel trek, overnight felucca trip on the Nile and some time by the Red Sea balance these out to make a fun and educational holiday for the whole family. |
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| Nile Family Adventure |
Egypt |
9 or 10 days |
From UK£525 |
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Cairo, Aswan (felucca or luxury cruise) Luxor. This short family adventure fits into a half-term or longer holiday, and combines visits to the pyramids, sphinx and museums in Cairo, with a short camel trek and a felucca sailboat cruise between Aswan and Luxor. All in all, a great family introduction to Egypt with a balance of ancient sites and history, and more adventurous activities. |
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| Splendours of the Nile |
Egypt |
9 or 10 days |
From UK£575 |
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Cairo, Aswan (Nile cruise) Luxor. This classic tour gives you the chance to experience Cairo’s best and most important sites, including the Pyramids, Sphinx and the world famous Egyptian museum before transfering to Aswan for a luxury cruise down the Nile to Luxor. You visit all the major sites en-route, and the tour has optional visits to Abu Simbel, and Alexandria. |
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| Nile Explorer |
Egypt |
9 or 10 days |
From UK£295 |
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Cairo, Aswan (felucca or luxury cruise) Luxor. This classic tour travels through the Nile Valley visiting Egypt's ancient sites and monuments. From the Pyramids
and Sphinx in Cairo, to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in Luxor, we take in all the main sites, and include a peaceful felucca ride or Nile cruise down
the Nile stopping at riverside temples and villages. The tour can be completed in one week.
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| Grand Egyptian Adventure |
Egypt |
15 days |
From UK£360 |
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Cairo, Aswan (felucca or luxury cruise) Luxor, Dahab. Our most popular itinerary, this tour starts with visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx in Cairo, with an optional City & Museum tour. From Aswan, we take a peaceful felucca sailboat or luxury Nile cruise along the Nile to Luxor, where we explore temples & tombs on both banks of the river. The tour ends with time for you to relax at the beaches and cafes at Dahab, to snorkel or scuba-dive among the coral reefs of the Red Sea, and if you wish, to climb Mt. Sinai.
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| Egypt Uncovered |
Egypt |
9 days |
From UK£450 |
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Cairo, Luxor, Red Sea. Giving you a taste of Egypt's main highlights in just one week, this tour starts by visiting the sites in Cairo before travelling to Luxor where you will explore the many fascinating temples and tombs of ancient Egypt. From Luxor, you head to the Red Sea at Hurghada where you can snorkel, dive or just relax on the wonderful, sandy beaches. The tour ends with a transfer back to Cairo for a dinner cruise on the Nile. |
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| Classic Nile Cruise |
Egypt |
7 nights |
From UK£525 |
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Nile Cruise; Luxor - Aswan - Luxor. This classic Nile Cruise tour spends a week travelling up and down the River Nile between Aswan and Luxor, visiting all the major sites en-route. These include the Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, the temples of Edfu and Komombo, and the island temple of Philae in Aswan, while you also have the option to fly to visit the temples to Ramses at Abu Simbel. Your accommodations are on one of Egypt's famous and luxurious Nile Cruise boats (5-star deluxe level).
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| Egypt & Jordan Experience |
Egypt & Jordan |
16 days |
From UK£1,200 |
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Cairo, Aswan (Nile Cruise) Luxor, Mt. Sinai, Jordan. This tour covers all the main sites in Egypt and Jordan. Following visits to the Pyramids, Sphinx and a city tour in Cairo, we enjoy a luxury cruise along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. We then head via the Cairo and St. Catherine's Monastery & Mt. Sinai to Jordan and a jeep safari & Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum. From here we travel up the scenic King's Highway stopping to explore Petra, Kerak and Madaba, before finishing in Amman with a day trip to the Dead Sea and the Roman ruins at Jerash. |
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| Temples, Tombs and Pyramids |
Egypt |
7 days |
From UK£270 |
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Cairo, Luxor. For those who are short of time this tour gives an excellent introduction to
the many wonders of Egypt. From the stunning Pyramids at Gisa and the awe-inspiring
temples of Luxor and Karnak to the sprawling bazaars and fascinating museums of
Cairo this tour gives you the chance to experience Egypt at its best. |
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| Kings and Mountains |
Egypt |
12 days |
From UK£350 |
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Cairo, Luxor, Dahab. This tour gives you an excellent opportunity to combine the priceless monumental
treasures of the sites around Luxor with the beautiful mountain scenery and Red Sea coastline
of the Sinai peninsular. Add to this the sprawling majesty of Cairo and the Pyramids, and you have the perfect
introduction to Egypt, land of the Pharaohs. |
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| Egypt Experience |
Egypt |
14 days |
From UK£795 |
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Cairo, Aswan (Nile cruise) Luxor, Red Sea. This tour gives you a comprehensive introduction to the main highlights Egypt
has to offer. We see the Pyramids, Sphinx and famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo,
enjoy a luxury 5 day/4 night cruise along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, and finish
the tour with time to relax and enjoy the Red Sea at a 5-star beach resort
in Hurghada. |
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| Egypt & Jordan Highlights |
Egypt & Jordan |
12 days |
From UK£695 |
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Cairo, Luxor, Red Sea, Jordan. Starting in Egypt, we see the pyramids & Sphinx in Cairo, the Pharaonic temples & tombs in Luxor, and the beaches, coral reefs and fish of the Red Sea. In Jordan, there's a jeep safari in the stunning scenery of Wadi Rum, before we explore the world famous ancient city of Petra. A final drive takes us to the crusader castle of Kerak and a swim in the Dead Sea before the tour ends in Amman. |
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| Deserts & Tombs |
Egypt |
9 or 10 days |
From UK£440 |
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Cairo, Western Desert, Luxor. This feature-rich tour combines the history and monuments of Cairo and Luxor, with a safari through the Egyptian Western Deserts, visiting the Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga Oases. We include a sound & light show at Karnak temple, and an overnight bedouin-style camp in the White desert. |
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| Deserts, Tombs & Beaches |
Egypt |
15 days |
From UK£515 |
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Cairo, Western Deserts, Luxor, Dahab. This comprehensive tour gives a taste of everything that Egypt has to offer. We start with the pyramids in Cairo, before doing a desert safari through the Western deserts and the Oases of Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga en-route to Luxor. We see all the main sites on both banks of the Nile in Luxor, before heading to the Red Sea for some snorkelling and relaxing. |
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| Deserts, Tombs & Jordan |
Egypt |
16 days |
From UK£935 |
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Cairo, Western Deserts, Luxor, Dahab, Jordan. Egypt & Jordan are covered in full here, as we tour the main
Pharaonic sites in Cairo and Luxor, take a desert safari through the
Egyptian Western Deserts, and travel north through Jordan visiting Wadi
Rum, Petra, the Dead Sea, and Jerash. |
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| Grand Egypt & Jordan Adventure |
Egypt & Jordan |
16 days |
From UK£795 |
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Cairo, Aswan (felucca or luxury cruise) Luxor, Dahab, Jordan. Following a tour to the Pyramids & Sphinx in Cairo, this tour visits the main highlights of the Nile Valley between Aswan and Luxor, featuring a peaceful felucca or luxury cruise along the Nile. After a couple of days by the Red Sea, we enter Jordan where we spend time in the stunning desert scenery of Wadi Rum, explore the ancient city of Petra, swim in the Dead Sea, and visit several other sites including the Roman ruins at Jerash. The tour starts in Cairo and finishes in Amman |
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| Pharaohs and Deserts |
Egypt |
15 days |
From UK£500 |
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Cairo, Aswan (felucca or luxury cruise) Luxor, Fayoum, Western Deserts. This tour combines Egypt's main historical sites and a felucca or luxury cruise in the Nile Valley, with two separate desert safaris. Around Fayoum we visit the Wadi Rayan protected area with its spring oasis and desert lake, and the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales. In the Western Deserts, we visit the Baharya & Farafra oases and enjoy an overnight jeep safari in the spectacular White Desert. |
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| Jewels of the Nile |
Egypt |
15 days |
From UK£1,345 |
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Why not combine your favourite sport with a family holiday to remember. Spend
7 days fishing on Lake Nasser for the magnificent Nile Perch then head down the
Nile on a luxury cruise boats, enjoying all the comforts of a 5-star floating
hotel. This way the whole family stays happy! |
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| Nile Perch & The Red Sea |
Egypt |
16 days |
From UK£1,335 |
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This tour offers 7 full days of adrenaline filled fishing for the mighty Nile
Perch on Lake Nasser followed by a relaxing stay at a Red Sea resort. Here you
can spend your days diving or snorkelling or just relaxing and soaking up the
sun after your action packed fishing adventure. A great holiday for all the family! |
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