How to Plan a Stress-Free Luxor & Aswan Trip Without Missing Anything

ByMarie Vaughan

Visiting Luxor and Aswan is the dream of almost every Egypt traveler – but between temples, tombs, Nile cruises, markets, and tipping customs, planning it can become overwhelming fast.  The biggest mistake travelers make is to arrive without previous tour bookings – I get it every day in one or two emails “I’m in Luxor, can you help me with tours?”  My answer is always the same – “I am so sorry but there is not enough time for me to get the permits”.  They are then left to the mercy of unlicenced, casual operators or private individuals they get into conversation with. because they are stuck.

The Perfect Luxor & Aswan Itinerary

Here’s how to make every moment count on a typical trip:

Day 1 – Luxor East Bank

  • Karnak & Luxor Temples: Two of Egypt’s temples everyone wants to visit.
  • Optional: Afternoon–sunset fellucca sail on the Nile
  • Optional: Karnak Sound & Light Show – surprisingly magical and especially interesting for those seeking connection to ancient Egypt

Day 2 – Abydos & Dendera

Day 3 – Luxor West Bank (Full Day)

  • Valley of the Kings: includes 3 tombs; optional extra tickets for King Tut, Sety I, and Queen Nefertari (dependent on avaiability)
  • Hatshepsut’s Temple: learn about Egypt’s most powerful woman pharaoh
  • Nobles’ Tombs – atmospheric & often overlooked
  • Medinet Habu Temple: home to the screaming mummy story
  • Deir El Medina: Workers’ Village where tomb-builders lived & left graffiti behind in their own amazing full-color tombs.
  • Colossi of Memnon: the ‘whistling statues’, behind which could be one of the Temples of Solomon

Day 4 – Luxor to Aswan (by private car)

  • Edfu Temple: where I’ve personally experienced time seeming to stand still in a deserted temple
  • Kom Ombo Temple: famed for its crocodile mummies
  • Optional: Nubian Village visit – incredibly colourful and cultural

Day 5 – Aswan Highlights

Day 6 – Abu Simbel (by car from Aswan)

Two magnificent temples built by Ramses II and Queen Nefertari – not to be missed – but it is a long 10 hour day.

Every trip can be customised.  You choose the pace and sites — no rushing, no crowds, no compromises.

To book this – email me directly: maraegypt@gmail.com

Avoid Common Mistakes

Most travellers lose valuable time and money because they:

  • Try to fit the wrong sites into a single day
  • Assume entrance tickets are included when they’re not
  • Don’t understand local logistics, customs, or tipping

When you stay with me or book one of my tours, I hand-hold you through every detail so you can focus on enjoying Egypt – not worrying later about the questions you should have asked before booking any tours in Egypt.

Want to experience Luxor like a local?
👉 I invite you to consider Mara House for your base in Luxor..

Last updated on 13/06/2026 by Marie Vaughan