If you have about a week, you have a choice: race through Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, or see two places well. This trip does the second. Memphis and Thebes were the two capitals of pharaonic Egypt, and between the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum at one end and the temples and royal tombs of Luxor at the other, you see the core of the story from the Old Kingdom to the New.
Luxor gets three nights, more than most short tours allow. That means one day for the West Bank and its royal tombs, one for Karnak and the museums, and time in the evenings to see Luxor Temple floodlit or sit on a terrace by the river. It also makes the optional sunrise balloon flight easy to fit in without wrecking a day.
It is a good fit as a stand-alone short trip, an add-on to a Red Sea or Europe holiday, or a first visit for travellers who would rather go deeper than wider. If you want Aswan and Abu Simbel too, our Essential Egypt in 8 days adds them.
Journey highlights
- The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx at opening time
- The Grand Egyptian Museum's Tutankhamun galleries
- Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara
- Three nights in Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes
- The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and Medinet Habu
- Karnak at opening time and Luxor Temple after dark
- Optional sunrise balloon flight over the West Bank
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Cairo
You are met inside the terminal at Cairo International Airport, helped through visa and immigration, and driven to your Giza hotel, about 45–60 minutes away. The rest of the day is free.
- Day2
Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Reach the Giza Plateau at opening time with your Egyptologist for the Great Pyramid, Khafre's and Menkaure's pyramids, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx. After lunch, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum for the Grand Staircase, the Tutankhamun galleries and Khufu's Solar Boat.
- Day3
Saqqara, then fly to Luxor
Drive about 45 minutes to Saqqara at opening time for the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the painted Old Kingdom tombs. Transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Luxor, about an hour, and see Luxor Temple floodlit in the evening.
- Day4
The West Bank of Thebes
Start with an optional dawn balloon flight, then visit three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and Medinet Habu, Ramesses III's mortuary temple with some of the best-preserved colour on the West Bank. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back.
- Day5
Karnak and Luxor Museum
Explore Karnak at opening time, before the heat and coaches, including the Great Hypostyle Hall and the sacred lake. In the late afternoon visit Luxor Museum, a small, beautifully lit collection, or take a felucca on the Nile at sunset.
- Day6
Fly to Cairo and depart
Fly from Luxor to Cairo, about an hour, and connect to your international flight home, or continue to the Red Sea, about 4 hours by road from Luxor.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Cairo (Giza), 2 nights | Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar |
| Luxor, 3 nights | Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor or Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa or similar |
What’s included
- 5 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast
- Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Luxor–Cairo
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every touring day
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for all transfers and touring
- Standard entry fees to all sites in the itinerary
- Airport meet-and-assist service and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights from Australia (we can quote and book these)
- Egypt visa fee
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Optional extras such as the balloon flight, Tutankhamun's tomb and the felucca
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Destinations on this journey
Cairo and Luxor in 6 Days: The Pyramids and Ancient Thebes, Without the Rush: FAQs
How is this different from Essential Egypt in 8 days?
This trip drops Aswan and Abu Simbel to give Luxor three nights and keep it to six days. Essential Egypt in 8 days covers all four places at a brisker pace.
Is three nights in Luxor too many?
No. Luxor has more to see than anywhere else in Egypt, and three nights lets you do the West Bank and Karnak on separate days. Our Luxor in two days plan shows how the time fills up.
Could we take the sleeper train to Luxor instead?
Yes. The overnight sleeper takes roughly 9–10 hours and saves a hotel night, though it is less comfortable than flying. See our sleeper train guide.
Is the balloon flight worth it?
For most people, yes: about 45 minutes over the West Bank at sunrise, with the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple below. Flights depend on the wind. Read our Luxor balloon guide.
Can we add the Red Sea?
Yes. Hurghada and El Gouna are about 4 hours by road from Luxor, so you can drive to the coast on Day 6 and fly home from Hurghada via Cairo. See the Red Sea guide.
