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.
The Best Tours in Luxor – What I Offer
I offer carefully curated tours to all the major sites in Luxor and from Luxor—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:
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Two temples – Medinet Habu and Hatshepsut’s Temple
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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
2. Karnak and Luxor Temples – Half Day
Walk the sacred Avenue of the Sphinx 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.
3. Abydos and Dendera Temples – Full Day
Two of Egypt’s most breathtaking and best preserved temples—well worth the drive north.
Abydos is home to the mysterious Osirion and the Temple of Seti I.
Dendera’s Temple of Hathor is a stunningly preserved jewel, full of colour and cosmic symbolism.
👉 Full details of the Abydos and Dendera Tour
4. Luxor to Aswan (by private car)
- Temple of Horus at Edfu – companion temple to Dendera temple: your first stop en route to Aswan
- Kom Ombo Temple: famed for its crocodile mummies – known as the Temple of Light and Dark
- Philae Temple – this temple is optional today depending on whether you are stayin in Aswan overnight in order to visit Abu Simbel the next day, or returning to Luxor tonight.
- You can also extend your stay in Aswan and visit Abu Simbel Temples
Prefer to save time?
Simply secure the three essential days in Luxor in one combined booking — West Bank, Karnak & Luxor Temples, plus Abydos & Dendera — with guide, transport, and entry fees handled for you.
Book the 3-Day Luxor Tour Combination
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.
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.