Luxor East and West Banks Full Day Tour: Private Guide

See five major temples and royal tombs in one day with a private Egyptologist guide

A private full-day tour of Luxor's east and west banks with a qualified Egyptologist guide, covering Valley of the Kings where Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered, Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple with its 134-column hall, and Luxor Temple with its sphinx avenue. Hotel pickup, all entrance fees, transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle and lunch are included. The tour runs eight hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings2h 30m · entry included
2. Temple of Hatshepsut1h 40m · entry included
3. Colossi of Memnon20m · entry included
4. Luxor Temple2h · entry included

Explore Luxor East and West Banks

• Pick up from hotel or Nile cruise
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon and echo story
• Lunch break
• Visit Karnak Temple and sphinx avenue
• Visit Luxor Temple and statues of Rameses II

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your hotel or Nile cruise and heads straight to the west bank, starting at Valley of the Kings. The burial ground where Tutankhamun was found by Howard Carter in 1922. The tombs inside still carry their original colors, painted over 3,500 years ago. From there you move to Hatshepsut's Temple, built by Egypt's first powerful female pharaoh who ruled in 1460 BC, then stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two 21-meter statues that once produced an acoustic echo ancient visitors heard as a voice.

After lunch, the tour crosses to the east bank and Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt. You'll walk the avenue of sphinxes and stand inside the massive hypostyle hall with 134 columns, see obelisks raised by Hatshepsut and Tutmosis I, and visit the sacred lake where priests once bathed. The day ends at Luxor Temple, where colossal statues of Ramesses II (who ruled for 67 years) frame the entrance, and where the sphinx avenue connects back to Karnak across the city.

The guide speaks English and handles all logistics: entrance to every site, transport between them, and the timing of stops. The private vehicle means no waiting for other groups, and the eight-hour span lets you move through the sites without rushing through any one of them.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off in Luxor.
• transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• lunch.
• a qualified Egyptologist guide speaking English.
• all taxes and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Go Luxor Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover both banks in one day with a private guide and vehicle. You'll move at your own pace between the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Karnak, and Luxor temple without coordinating separate transport or tickets.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is inside Valley of the Kings that I'll see on this tour?

Valley of the Kings holds the intact tombs of pharaohs, including the burial chamber of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922. The tomb walls still show their original vivid colors despite dating back to around 1500 BC, and your guide will explain what each chamber held and why the site was chosen as the royal burial ground.

How long do we spend at each temple, and is there time to really look around?

The tour spans eight hours across five major sites, with the guide pacing the stops so you see the highlights without rushing. Karnak Temple gets substantial time because of its size and detail (the 134-column hall and sacred lake are the centerpieces), while Luxor Temple and the Colossi of Memnon are shorter stops that still let you photograph and absorb the scale of each monument.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is included in the tour price and happens after the morning sites on the west bank, before heading to Karnak. Your guide will take you to a local spot. The exact location depends on the day's flow and your preferences.

Do I need to be fit or have any special mobility to do this tour?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. Valley of the Kings involves walking inside tombs and climbing some stairs, but the pace is set by the group. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, the tour is wheelchair accessible, and your guide can adjust stops to match your needs. Mention this when you book.

What's the story behind the Colossi of Memnon and the echo?

The Colossi of Memnon are two 21-meter statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that once stood at the entrance to his mortuary temple. In ancient times, one of them produced an acoustic echo that visitors heard as a mysterious sound. They believed it was the statue speaking. Your guide will explain the history and why the phenomenon stopped after an earthquake damaged the statue.