Egypt Tours with Mara House Luxor — Personal & Expert-Led Journeys

Mara - owner of Mara House and Mara House Tours alking through street with elaborately decorated house painted blue, in Nubian Village, Aswan

I’m Marie Vaughan, founder of Mara House Luxor, and I live and work in Egypt year-round.  I design and personally oversee personal Egypt journeys for travelers who want depth, access, and context – not rushed sightseeing or mass-market tours.  Through long-standing relationships on the ground, I can secure rare private visits, and I also maintain controlled calendars for private visits to expensive high-demand sites so clients can share costs, with flexibility built in even after confirmation.  These tours are for culturally serious, curious travelers who want Egypt experienced properly, at the right pace, with the right people.

“Why Travel with Mara” :

  • Designed and personally overseen by Marie Vaughan (known simply as “Mara” in Egypt)

  • Based in Luxor, on the ground year-round

  • Personal tours with small numbers and shared pacing

  • Rare-access visits possible where approved

  • Controlled calendars for high-demand sites such as Gt. Pyramid, Sphinx, Osirion etc.

  • Full-trip booking allows itinerary flexibility after confirmation

Whether you’re planning your first-ever visit, returning with deeper questions, or wanting to show your children a world outside the ordinary — Mara House Luxor is your gateway.  And if you’re still in the early planning stage, you’ll find everything you need to structure your trip clearly in my full travel guide to Egypt

Bonus Offers & Specials

Want to travel alone, with your partner, or with your own small group?  I’ll help you plan and book your hotels, transport, guides, and site visits across Egypt — without falling into tourist traps or overpaying.

Dahabiya deck showing sun loungers and parasoles
Experience the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse aboard a private luxury dahabiya on the Nile. Only 20 guests, ten cabins, exclusive access to the Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and Osirion. Slow, serene travel in comfort and style.

Transformative Travel – Where the Nile becomes your inner map.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Travel – Egypt Through Your Child’s Eyes

I took my 9-year-old grandson on a 16-day trip — and he blew me away with his curiosity, stamina, and joy.  That experience sparked a new kind of tour:

 Day Tours in Egypt – Plan them Your Way, with My Help

Why Choose Mara House for Your Tours in Cairo?
With countless tour options in Cairo, why choose us? Our guests say it best—have a quick look at the reviews on our Mara House Luxor page – at the end of the page

If you’re wondering whether you really need a guide in Cairo, the short answer is: at the Pyramids, yes.  Elsewhere, you might get by on your own—but you’ll miss the stories that bring each site to life and could face the hassle of unreliable taxis. Some places, like the Citadel, are especially tricky to get transport from once you’re there.

Our Cairo tours include entry fees, a knowledgeable guide, travel permits and comfortable air conditioned transport.  There are no surprise costs—any optional extras are listed upfront.

Do you dare to dream that you could be inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, after dark, without the crowds, for 2 hours? Send Mara your Cairo dates. A small group shares the cost.

Check out the list of tours in Cairo and let me know your priorities and how much time you have in Cairo – I will tell you what is possible.

Sightseeing in/from Luxor can be done in 3 days:

Not sure how many days you need or what order to see things in? → Read my detailed Luxor & Aswan itinerary to help you pace it perfectly.

Then, if you are not taking a Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan it is possible to transfer from Luxor to Aswan by road, stopping to see the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, spend the night in Aswan.  Next morning visit the Temple of Isis at Philae.  If you have time to stay a second night in Aswan you could go to see the temples of Abu Simbel.

Stay at Mara House – Your Home in Luxor

Mara House isn’t just a hotel.  It’s your anchor.  Spacious suites, warm hospitality, real conversations and all they help you want.  Stay with us and explore at your pace, with people who care that your trip actually feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

  • Luxor – 3 Nights + 3 Days of Expert Tours at Mara House
    The perfect short stay to explore Luxor without stress. This package includes 3 nights in a private suite at Mara House and 3 full days of guided tours to Luxor’s must-see temples and tombs — including Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and a full-day trip to Abydos and Dendera.
    Everything’s taken care of: airport pickup, tour planning, even your meals if you like. Ideal for first-timers, solo travelers, couples, or anyone who wants to experience Luxor in comfort — not chaos.
  • Mara House Accommodation

Why Travel with Me?

Because I’ve been where you are — unsure what’s true online, overwhelmed by choice, tired of sales games.  That’s why I’ve built Mara House and these tours the way I have: so your trip to Egypt is everything it’s supposed to be, and nothing you regret.

I don’t use a generic booking engine on my site – though that would free up many hours of my days.  I believe everyone deserves VIP treatment from the first email we exchange – here’s why I believe you are better off skipping the online booking engines and booking directly with me.

Let’s Start Planning

Answering these few questions will give me a good idea of what you are looking for faster than a string of question and answer emails – easier for both of us “Let’s customise your trip”

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