معبد الكرنك 27 2

Luxor East Bank Tour: Karnak & Luxor Temple

Duration
Approx. 4 hours
Route
Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
Style
Private Half-Day Tour
Schedule
Available daily

Overview

The Luxor East Bank Tour covers the side of the Nile the ancient Egyptians dedicated to the living and to the sun god Amun. In a single relaxed morning you walk through the two greatest temples of ancient Thebes, Karnak and Luxor, without the long West Bank driving.

Karnak is the largest religious complex ever built, expanded by pharaoh after pharaoh across two thousand years. Your guide leads you through its Great Hypostyle Hall, where 134 colossal columns still carry their painted ceilings, then on to the sacred lake and the standing obelisks. A short drive away, Luxor Temple sits gracefully in the centre of town, once linked to Karnak by a three-kilometre avenue of sphinxes.

This East Bank tour pairs naturally with our Luxor West Bank Tour for those who want the tombs and mortuary temples too, or you can take both in one day with our combined Luxor East and West Bank Tour.

Highlights

The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak: 134 giant columns
The avenue of ram-headed sphinxes
Luxor Temple in the heart of the modern city
Obelisks, colossi and the Opet festival route

Tour Itinerary

Your Morning on the East Bank
Your Egyptologist guide collects you from your Luxor hotel, Nile cruise dock or the railway station and begins on the East Bank, the city of the living. You start at the immense Karnak Temple complex, dedicated mainly to Amun-Ra. Your guide explains how each dynasty added its own pylons, courts and chapels, then walks you into the Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 towering columns that is one of the most photographed spaces in Egypt. You continue past the obelisks of Hatshepsut and Thutmose, the sacred lake and the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes at the entrance. Next you drive a few minutes to Luxor Temple, built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Standing right in the modern town, it is especially atmospheric, and your guide points out the single remaining obelisk (its twin stands in Paris), the seated colossi and the Roman and Christian layers added over the centuries. After the East Bank highlights you are returned to your hotel or dock. If you enjoy the temples lit at night, ask us about adding the Karnak Sound and Light Show.

East Bank vs. West Bank vs. Full-Day Luxor

FeatureEast Bank (this tour)West Bank / Full Day
ThemeTemples of the living: Karnak & LuxorTombs of the dead: Valley of the Kings
DurationHalf day (~4 hrs)Half day or full day
Best forTemple architecture, easy morningRoyal tombs, mummies, mortuary temples
Combine?Add West Bank to make a full dayFull-day tour covers both banks

What’s Included

Included

  • All transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Luxor (hotel, cruise dock or station)
  • Certified, English-speaking Egyptologist guide
  • Bottled water on board the vehicle
  • All service charges and taxes

Not Included

  • Entrance fees to the sites
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver
  • Personal expenses and optional extras
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the East and West Bank?
The ancient Egyptians built temples to the gods on the East Bank, where the sun rises, and placed their tombs and mortuary temples on the West Bank, where it sets. This tour covers the East Bank: Karnak and Luxor temples.
How much walking is involved?
Karnak is large and mostly flat, with about 60-90 minutes of relaxed walking; Luxor Temple is compact. Comfortable shoes, a hat and water are recommended, especially from May to September.
Can I add the West Bank?
Yes. Many guests pair this with the Valley of the Kings or take our combined Luxor East and West Bank Tour to see both sides of the Nile in one day.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The tour runs privately for your party only, with your own guide, driver and vehicle, so the pace and timing flex around you. Group or shared options can be arranged on request if you prefer a lower price point.
How do I book and pay?
Press Book Now and send your date and group size. We confirm availability and your final price within 24 hours. A deposit then secures your booking, and payment is made by secure payment link or bank transfer as advised by our team. The remaining balance and its schedule are set out in your booking confirmation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour and you receive a full refund. Inside 24 hours the deposit is retained to cover guide and transport arrangements already committed. If we cancel for weather or safety reasons, you are always refunded in full or rescheduled at no cost. Full terms are in our Cancellation Policy.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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From
$60 /pp