One day in Luxor

Day by day

1. Day 1: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple

   Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut, then Luxor souq in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Karnak Temple

      Arrive at opening time to see the Hypostyle Hall in low morning light before the tour groups and the heat arrive. Allow 2–3 hours.

   2. Late morning

      Luxor Temple

      Visit around sunset and stay as the floodlights come on; it is much cooler and the reliefs look dramatic under the lights. Allow 1.5 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ful medames

      Street carts and small cafés around the souq and station in the morning.

   4. Afternoon

      Valley of the Kings

      Go at opening time, and choose the extra ticket for Ramesses VI or Seti I if you can only add one; both have exceptionally well-preserved paintwork. Allow 2–3 hours.

   5. Late afternoon

      Temple of Hatshepsut

      Visit early or late in the day; the terraces have almost no shade and reflect the heat. Allow 1 hour.

   6. Evening

      Luxor souq

      Haggle with a smile and walk away if the price does not suit; the same items are sold at many stalls.

Before you go

• Valley of the Kings: Extra tickets for individual tombs are sold at the site's ticket office; which tombs are open changes, so check on the day.

If it rains

• Swap in Luxor Museum (East Bank Corniche): Visit in the heat of the afternoon, when outdoor sites are punishing.
• Swap in Mummification Museum (East Bank Corniche): Older children usually enjoy it; it takes under an hour and pairs well with Luxor Temple nearby.
• Swap in Howard Carter's House (West Bank Qurna and Al-Bairat): Stop on the way to or from the Valley of the Kings; it is on the same road.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 8–10 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.5 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Walking. Luxor Temple, the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum and the souq are all within walking distance along the Corniche on the East Bank.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Luxor
• 3 days in Luxor
• 5 days in Luxor

Questions travellers ask