Luxor Day Tour: Egyptologist Guide Valley Kings Karnak Temple

A hypostyle hall so vast it could hold Notre-Dame Cathedral inside it.

A private day tour of Luxor with a professional Francophone Egyptologist guide covers Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings (with entry to three tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. The guide provides historical context and detailed explanations that move beyond standard circuits. All entrance tickets are included. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and suits travelers with moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Karnak Temple1h 30m · entry included
2. Valley of the Kings1h 30m · entry included
3. Colossi of Memnon15m

Explore Luxor's Ancient Monuments

• Visit Karnak Temple
• Tour Valley of the Kings
• Explore Hatshepsut Temple
• See Colossi of Memnon

The experience

Karnak Temple anchors this tour: the main sanctuary of Amun Ra, expanded across centuries by successive dynasties until it became a sprawl of monuments in different styles. The hypostyle hall alone contains 134 monumental columns, a space so large it could enclose the entire Notre-Dame Cathedral. Your guide walks you through the religious and political layers built into the walls and layout, explaining why the temple was once closed to ordinary people and what changed that access over time.

The Valley of the Kings takes up the second half of the day. You enter three tombs carved deep into the desert rock: long galleries ending in burial chambers where pharaohs were laid to rest with representations meant to guide them to the afterlife. The guide contextualizes what you see: the classic tomb structure, the religious imagery, and the fact that nearly all have been looted over centuries except Tutankhamun's. Hatshepsut Temple, carved into the cliffs on three terraced levels, shows a different architectural approach. The guide covers the unusual history of Egypt's only female pharaoh and how her successor tried to erase her from the record. The Colossi of Memnon (two 17-meter statues of Pharaoh Amenophis III) close the tour. One was famous in antiquity for emitting sound at sunrise until a Roman emperor's restoration silenced it.

A private vehicle and your Francophone guide are included throughout. You choose between the standard itinerary or a tailor-made program that adjusts the stops and pacing to your interests. Meals and drinks beyond what is arranged are your own. Tips for the guide and driver are optional.

What’s included

• Private vehicle and Francophone Egyptologist guide throughout the day.
• all entrance tickets for Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings (three tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• hotel pickup is available as part of your booking option.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tailor-made programmeGuide in French · No fixed timeVisit 3 archaeological sites, building your own tailor-made itinerary by freely selecting the places and the times of your visits. Entry fees: entrance tickets are not included in the price and must be paid at the counter at the main entrance by credit card. Pickup is included.

A Day in Luxor You Will Never ForgetGuide in French · No fixed timePickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideFrench

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nefer d'Egypte

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want a guide who goes beyond the standard narrative and connects the monuments to their historical and religious context. The private vehicle and dedicated guide mean the pace stays yours, and the tailor-made option lets you adjust the stops if certain sites interest you more than others.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the hypostyle hall at Karnak Temple?

The hypostyle hall is the massive columned chamber at Karnak Temple with 134 monumental columns, built over centuries as different dynasties expanded the sanctuary. It is so large that the entire Notre-Dame Cathedral could fit inside it.

How many tombs can I enter in the Valley of the Kings?

The tour includes entry to three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, each a long gallery carved into the rock with chambers and religious wall representations meant to accompany the deceased to the afterlife.

Is a guide included, and what language does the guide speak?

Yes, a professional Egyptologist guide is included throughout the tour and speaks French, providing historical context and detailed explanations at each site.

What is covered by the entrance tickets?

All entrance tickets for Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon are included in the tour price.

Can I customize the itinerary instead of following the standard route?

Yes, you can choose a tailor-made program at checkout that adjusts the stops and pacing to match your interests instead of the fixed itinerary.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs between 6 and 8 hours depending on how much time you spend at each site and the pace you prefer.