Tours in Luxor: Explore Ancient Egypt in Peace

Avoid the crowds and confusion – explore Luxor with expert guides, personal attention, and authentic insight.

I (Mara) have never really liked the idea of guided tours.  I have done them in other countries, as well as Egypt when I came as a tourist myself, and they were mostly geared towards shopping – one way or another.  Now the thought of being hustled through historic sites in a crowd of strangers is even less appealing to me.  I prefer wandering slowly on my own, imagining the past as I soak in the atmosphere, but for imagination to work it has to have some basic information and concepts to work with.

Finding my own way around with a map and guidebook is what I tried to do in Cairo after the revolution of January 2011.  It took me over two years to truly find my way—to uncover the stories behind the better-known places, and to discover the hidden gems most tourists never hear about.  More importantly I eventually realised that I really would be making much faster progress using a guide.  So, I gave in and began working with one.

Luxor can be as difficult as Cairo without a guide, or at least a lot of personal knowledge of the sites you are visiting, but for different reasons.

Why Luxor Can Feel Overwhelming – and How We Fix That

Luxor is the jewel of Upper Egypt—a city filled with temples, tombs, and living history.  But if you step outside your hotel to explore on your own, you may quickly find yourself bombarded by well-meaning but persistent drivers, felucca captains, and self-declared guides.

And just when you think you’ve escaped into a peaceful temple or tomb, a guard sidles up beside you to offer a “secret view” or “special place”—for a tip, of course.

It can be exhausting and even disappointing, especially if you’ve dreamed of this trip for years.

That’s why, at Mara House Luxor, we do things differently.  My guided tours are designed to give you the depth, comfort, and connection that independent exploration promises—but often fails to deliver in Egypt.

You can read more here about how tourists constantly fall for the most common tourist trap – the promise of something “special”.

Why Choose Mara House Luxor Tours?

At Mara House, we know what visitors really want from their time in Luxor: peace, context, and meaning.  Our guides are trusted partners—licensed professionals who have worked exclusively with us for over 15 years.

But what makes them special is not just their qualifications.  It’s their passion.

My guides are storytellers who don’t just repeat facts.  They bring the temples and tombs to life—drawing on deep knowledge of Egypt’s history, mythology, symbolism, and sacred traditions.  They’ve learned from scholars, mystics, and spiritual teachers who’ve passed through Mara House over the years.

With me, you won’t just “see the sights.”  You’ll understand them—and feel their power.

The Best Tours in Luxor – What I Offer

We offer a small, carefully curated range of Luxor tours—each one timed and structured for a relaxed, insightful experience.

1. West Bank Tour – Full Day

My signature West Bank tour includes six iconic sites:

• Two temples – Medinet Habu andHatshepsut’s Temple

• Eight tombs – 3 tombs In the Valley of the Kings, 3 tombs of the Nobles and 2 tombs in the Workers Village (Deir El Medina)

• Colossi of Memnon

Full details on my West Bank Tour are here

➡️ Email me with any questions you have  about our Luxor West Bank tour

2. Karnak and Luxor Temples – Half Day

Walk the sacred route between two of ancient Egypt’s most powerful temples.
This tour is ideal if you want to stay close to town but still explore deeply.

My posts on Karnak and Luxor

• Karnak Temple – Where Time is a River You Can Step Into

• Amun – The God Who Rose to Rule the Egyptian Empire

3. Abydos and Dendera Temples – Full Day

Two of Egypt’s most breathtaking temples—and well worth the drive north.
Abydos is home to the mysterious Osireion and the Temple of Seti I.
Dendera’s Temple of Hathor is a stunningly preserved jewel, full of colour and cosmic symbolism.

My posts on Abydos and Dendera:

• Abydos and Dendera Temples – tour details
• Abydos and Dendera – How I found them
• Abydos – helicopter, submarine, plane and stealth fighter
• Omm Sety – Dorothy Eady & Pharaoh Sety I
• Return of the Djedi?
• Temple of Sety I at Abydos – Ancient Mysteries
• The Mysteries of Dendera Temple

How to Book Your Tours in Luxor

Booking is simple.  Just email me with the dates you’d like your tours, how many people travelling with you, and which sites.tours interest you.  If you’re travelling with children under 18, please include their ages.

All quotes are tailored to your group size and preferences.

📩 Contact Mara to Book

What Our Guests Say

Because most of our guests choose both our Luxor tours and our Cairo tours, I’ve placed their feedback on the Mara House Luxor page.  You’ll find dozens of honest, thoughtful reviews from guests who booked directly with me.  My market base is mostly American and current world events mean less coming to Egypt from North America – hence the lack of more recent reviews.

Still Planning Your Egypt Trip?

If you’re not sure yet which tours to choose—or you’re still in the early stages of planning—start here with my full guide to planning your Egypt holiday.

You’ll also find answers to questions like:

• How many days should I spend in Luxor?

• Is it safe to travel to Egypt now?

• What’s the difference between private tours and “private visits”?

Ready for a Different Kind of Egypt Experience?

Mara House tours are about connection—not crowds.
About clarity—not confusion.
And about bringing Egypt’s stories back to life—with you in them.

Let us show you Luxor the way it deserves to be seen.

Not sure which tour suits you best? Here’s the full overview of everything we offer.