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 high-demand sites so clients can share costs, with flexibility built in even after confirmation. These journeys are for culturally serious, curious travelers who want Egypt experienced properly, at the right pace, with the right people.
One thing I am seeing more and more is people booking with large operators and leaving the most exclusive parts of their trip as an afterthought -experiences those operators simply cannot provide – so they come to me for help.
Why Travel with Mara
- Designed and personally overseen by Marie Vaughan (known as “Mara” in Egypt)
- Based in Luxor and on the ground year-round
- Personal journeys with small numbers and shared pacing
- Rare-access visits possible where approved
- Controlled calendars for high-demand sites such as the Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and Osirion
- Full-trip booking allows itinerary flexibility after confirmation
Whether you’re planning your first visit, returning with deeper questions, or wanting to show your children a world beyond the ordinary, Mara House Luxor is your gateway. If you’re still in the early planning stage, you’ll find everything you need in my full travel guide to Egypt.
Exclusive Experiences
These are exclusive, legally arranged visits with all required permits.
- Opening Closed Doors — private access to select closed sites in Egypt
- Could you survive an hour after dark in Tutankhamun’s tomb with his mummy beside you?
- Dahabiya or Nile cruiser?
- Private Access to the Great Pyramid of Giza — understanding the difference between private access and a private tour
- 2027 Total Solar Eclipse Luxor — New availability
- 2027 Eclipse Experience — released May 2026 (limited availability)
- Dahabiya Eclipse Journey — available €20,000 per person
- The Hero’s Journey — Sold out
- 2027 Solar Eclipse Egypt Package — Sold out
For First-Timers to Egypt
Travel alone, with a partner, or your own small group. I help you plan hotels, transport, guides, and site visits across Egypt—without tourist traps or overpaying.
- 9 Nights Egypt with Nile Cruise — Luxor, Nile cruise, and Cairo highlights tailored to your dates
- First-Time in Egypt (7-Day Itinerary) — structured for clarity and confidence
Transformative Travel — Where the Nile becomes your inner map
- Spiritual Chakra Tour of Egypt — pyramids, Osirion, Abu Simbel, and chakra-aligned temples
- Transformative Travel — small group journeys with rare access
Family Travel
I took my 9-year-old grandson on a 16-day journey—and it inspired this programme.
- Egypt for Children – Family Journey — interactive, balanced, unforgettable
Day Tours in Egypt
Why choose me? Because context matters. My guests don’t just see Egypt—they understand it.
At the Pyramids, a guide is essential. Elsewhere you may manage alone, but you’ll miss the stories and often struggle with logistics.
- Giza Plateau
- Private Great Pyramid Access
- Saqqara & Memphis
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Cairo Museum
- Saladin’s Citadel
- Coptic Cairo
- Medieval Cairo
- Mythical Cairo Tour
- Islamic Museum
- Abdeen Palace
Luxor & West Bank
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- West Bank — Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Deir el-Medina, Medinet Habu
- Abydos & Dendera
- Luxor & Aswan Itinerary
Luxor to Aswan by road is also possible with stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and optionally Abu Simbel.
Stay at Mara House & Tour from There
Mara House is your base in Luxor—quiet, personal, and grounded in real hospitality.
Why Travel With Me?
Because I’ve built this for travelers who are tired of noise, confusion, and generic luxury. I don’t use automated booking engines—every journey is shaped directly with me.
Let’s Start Planning
Start here — tell me your dates, and I’ll shape everything around them.