How does this sound? Our TA deliberately built in some down time every few days so that we could chill:
Dec 19: 00 FLY

Dec 20: 01 CAIRO meet & transfer

Dec 21: 02 CAIRO pyramids & museum

Dec 22: 03 O/N TRAIN saqqara & Memphis. PM train

Dec 23: 04 ASWAN meet & transfer. PM free

Dec 24: 05 ASWAN camel ride (2h) nobles tombs, st. simeons. PM free

Dec 25: 06 ASWAN abu simbel (by air). PM free

Dec 26: 07 LUXOR drive (or felucca?) (210km) via kom ombo & edfu temples

Dec 27: 08 LUXOR valley kings, valley queens, deir el bari

Dec 28: 09 LUXOR karnak & luxor temples by calesh

Dec 29: 10 LUXOR free day (visit tombs of choice or swim etc)

Dec 30: 11 O/N TRAIN free day. PM train

Dec 31: 12 CAIRO free day

Jan 01: 13 FLY transfer to airport

is this too much time in Luxor? I would like to take a felucca rather than drive, has anyone done this? We would prefer not to take a cruise on one of the big fancy boats. Is the camel ride fun, or a tourist trap?
Any thoughts appreciated...

Just out of curiosity - why don't you want to do a cruise? I found it a wonderfully relaxing experience - and a great way to see the sights. OF course, on your own, I guess you would have a private guide and not be with a group, so that could be an advantage.

We did a Nile cruise a few years ago and our boat was neither big nor fancy. (100 guests maximum). We had our kids with us and my spouse and I loved the relaxation of sitting outside watching the landscape go by while the kids enjoyed the small pool which they generally had to themselves. While we did not have a private tour guide, our group was small as there were only a few English-speakers on board. It was an incredible experience to be on the Nile and perhaps, if you are interested, your TA can find you a small boat as well.

>>Dec 25: 06 ASWAN abu simbel (by air). PM free

Dec 26: 07 LUXOR drive (or felucca?) (210km) via kom ombo & edfu temples<<

From my experience, you'll never get from Aswan to Luxor in 1/day on a felucca, even if driving. The Nile cruise boats do this in 2/days giving you time to visit the temples/sights at Kom Ombo, Edfu and maybe even Esna. And passing thru the locks is quite interesting.

The boats are really a nice way to enjoy the sights between Aswan/Luxor, relaxing and fun and you get 3/meals a day - can't say what you get on a felucca.

The boats provide an English speaking guide (or guides) for these individuals on the boat, but you may want to inquire about price for a private guide (night be high).

Our group was maybe between 15-20, even a few with young children; the pace was as fast or slow as deemed necessary for the overall group. The remaining paxs on boat who were with a groups had their own guide. We never felt this amount of people was too many, as we also had time to investigate/spend alone periods w/o the group. Even the dining room never seemed "too crowded." Most boats have a small swimming pool on the top deck.

Do consider a cruise... the kids will enjoy.

Yes, you are all right, we will be doing a cruise, but on a felucca, I hope, rather than one of the other boats. My researches indicate that there are some feluccas with amenities, so I think we would like the sailboat-type, more authentic experience. We are still in the very early stages so I am waiting to hear more, I emailed to get more details Friday afternoon, and I guess I will hear Sunday or Monday. And, he did say that it would take a 3 or 4 days, it was not clear on my list. So, I guess that would cut down our time in Luxor to a day and a half or so. Is that a mistake? Is there a lot to see in and around Luxor? - it seems from the trip reports I have read most people spend about 2 - 3 days there.

You can do Luxor in a day and a half. Not much time for lolling around, but then you will have been lolling on the felucca.

We arrived Luxor at night, docking at Crocodile Is. where Movenpick has their hotel. This is away from the main bulkhead where all the other boats dock. At Crocodile Movenpick also has their hotel which we walked to that night for cocktails and change of environment... it's a lovely property.

Next morning early (before it got too hot) we headed out to Valley of Kings and Queens. Late afternoon (when it gets a bit cooler... not much really) they had us scheduled for visits to Luxor and Karnak Temples. We, however, passed on this instead for sundowners on the terrace of one of the restaurants overlooking the Nile. Later visiting the souk, finding a quaint restaurant for dinner. Ending at Karnak Temple for the Light & Sound Show.

Next morning when other guests were leaving, we also checked out, but went into Luxor (Movenpick has a shuttle bus, 10/min. drive) and visited Luxor and Karnak Temples on our own. Then returned to boat, took advantage of the top deck for relaxing and pool, had lunch... finally met our transfer for evening flight to Cairo.

So 1.5-2/days can be sufficient in Luxor.