Egypt's Red Sea resorts stretch from El Gouna and Hurghada south to Safaga and Marsa Alam. From the coast we run transfers and full-day trips across the Eastern Desert to the temples of Luxor.
Planning tours from Hurghada and the Red Sea coast
Tours from Hurghada, El Gouna, Safaga and Marsa Alam cross the Eastern Desert to Luxor, so the day starts early. The cooler months from October to April are the most comfortable for the long drive and the temple visits. In summer, the temples are best seen in the morning, and a private air-conditioned vehicle makes the road much easier.
One full day is enough to see the highlights of Luxor, such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, and be back at your hotel at the end of the day. If you prefer a slower pace, a round-trip transfer lets you set your own timing, and a night or two in Luxor gives you both banks of the Nile without hurry.
Do not miss the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and a painted royal tomb on the West Bank. You can read about the monuments you will see on the official Egyptian monuments site. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water for the temples, and a light layer for the air-conditioned car. Travelers staying in Hurghada or El Gouna usually take the coast road south before turning inland, while those in Marsa Alam have a longer drive, so tell us where you are staying and we plan the pickup time with you.
Getting around on tours from Hurghada and the coast
The resorts are linked by one main coastal road. El Gouna lies just north of Hurghada, Safaga sits to the south, and Marsa Alam is much farther south again. Most hotels are spread out along the shore, so a pickup from your hotel door saves time on a long day.
A day in Luxor from the coast often looks like this. You leave before sunrise and watch the light come up over the desert mountains. You reach the Nile Valley and visit Karnak Temple while the morning is still fresh, then cross to the West Bank for the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings before the drive back to the sea in the late afternoon.
Between temple days, the Red Sea itself is the reason many travelers come: its coral reefs are famous for snorkeling and diving, and the calm bays are good for a quiet day of rest. When you snorkel, do not stand on or touch the coral, and choose a reef-friendly sunscreen. For an evening out in Hurghada, the marina and the older district of El Dahar, with its local market, show two very different sides of the town. On the coast, try fresh fish and seafood, often grilled and served with rice, salads and tahini. In Luxor, look for Egyptian dishes such as koshari, ful and ta'ameya, and a cold glass of karkadeh.
Beachwear is fine at the resort, but for a visit to Luxor bring light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees. They protect you from the sun and are respectful in the towns and villages along the way. Comfortable shoes are a good idea for the temples, where you walk on stone and sand.
