Luxor: East & West Bank Temples Day Tour with Lunch

Summary

Walk where pharaohs dreamed, temples echoing sunlight, lunch by the Nile

You’ll cross from Luxor’s busy streets into silent tombs at Valley of the Kings, touch sun-warmed stones at Karnak Temple, share laughs over lunch with your local guide, and watch afternoon light spill across ancient statues. It’s not just history—it’s stories you’ll feel long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Samir met us outside the hotel—he had that quiet smile like he’s seen every kind of tourist. He handed me a bottle of water and joked about how “the sun here is older than most countries.” I’d read about Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple but standing there, hearing Arabic drifting from somewhere behind the columns, it felt less like a checklist and more like… I don’t know, being let in on a secret. The sandstone was warm under my hand. Samir pointed out some ancient graffiti—Greek letters, actually—and I realized people have always wanted to leave their mark here.

The drive to the West Bank was quieter. Our group sort of fell into this hush as we got closer to the Valley of the Kings. The air changed—drier somehow, with this faint mineral smell. Inside one tomb (I think it was Ramses III?), colors still clung to the walls after all these centuries. Samir explained how each chamber told a story for the afterlife, but honestly, I just stared at those blues and golds until my neck hurt. At Hatshepsut’s temple, kids were selling postcards; one waved at me with both hands and shouted “Welcome!” so enthusiastically I bought two.

I didn’t expect lunch to be such a relief—simple grilled chicken, flatbread that tasted smoky from the oven, and something green and tangy I couldn’t name (Samir said “molokhia,” then laughed when I tried to say it back). We talked about his family in Luxor while fans spun overhead. Afterward, we stopped by the Colossi of Memnon—just two giant statues sitting in open fields like they’re waiting for someone who never shows up. There’s something lonely about them but also stubbornly proud.

Karnak Temple was last. By then my feet were sore and my shirt stuck to my back but walking through those hypostyle halls—columns everywhere—I felt small in a good way. Light filtered down in stripes. Someone played music softly on their phone nearby; it echoed strangely between stone pillars. That moment sticks with me more than any photo could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor East and West Banks

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Tour Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does the Luxor day tour last?

The tour can be booked as either a full-day or half-day experience depending on your preference.

Is hotel pickup included for this Luxor tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you're staying on Luxor's East Bank.

What temples will we visit on this day trip?

You’ll visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, and see the Colossi of Memnon.

Does this tour include lunch?

Yes, a traditional lunch at a local restaurant is included during your day trip in Luxor.

Are entrance fees covered in the price?

All entrance fees to temples and sites are included in your booking.

Is an Egyptologist guide provided?

A professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide leads the tour throughout Luxor’s sites.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian food options are available upon request during lunch.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Luxor’s East Bank, all entry fees to temples and tombs along both banks of the Nile, guidance from an Egyptologist who knows every corner of these ruins by heart, plus a traditional local lunch before heading back to your hotel when you’re ready to call it a day.