Luxor: East & West Bank Temples with Egyptologist Guide

The Nile's East and West Banks in One Day, Explained by Someone Who Knows

You get picked up from your Luxor hotel and spend the full day moving between the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak Temple with a qualified Egyptologist guide explaining the history and hieroglyphics at each site. Transport, lunch, and all entry fees are included, so you show up and follow the itinerary without arranging logistics yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Temple of Hatshepsut1h
2. Colossi of Memnon15m
3. Karnak Temple2h
4. Luxor Temple1h

Explore Luxor East and West Bank

• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Tour Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon statues
• Explore Karnak Temple Complex
• Visit Luxor Temple

The experience

The driver showed up twenty minutes early, which meant we had to rush through breakfast, not the worst problem to have, but it set the tone for how tightly this day was packed. Once we got moving in the air-conditioned vehicle, though, the pace made sense. A full-day tour of Luxor's temples and tombs covers serious ground: the Valley of the Kings on the west bank, where pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Ramesses II were buried; the Temple of Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs at Deir el Bahari in the 15th century BCE; the Colossi of Memnon, two 60-foot quartzite statues from 1350 BC that face the Nile; and Karnak Temple on the east bank, with its 134 massive columns arranged in rows that still feel overwhelming even in photographs.

The Egyptologist guide made the difference. Without someone who could read the hieroglyphics and explain why a particular wall faced east or what the painted symbols meant, you'd be standing in front of a lot of beautiful stone trying to piece it together. At Karnak, which took over 1,000 years to build and is genuinely one of the largest religious complexes in ancient Egypt, the guide walked us through the Great Column Hall and the different dynasties that left their mark on it. At Hatshepsut, the three terraces and colonnades started to make architectural sense instead of just looking dramatic. The Valley of the Kings felt less like a tourist checklist and more like an actual burial ground where real people (queens, nobles, the pharaoh's wives) were laid to rest in decorated tombs.

Lunch was included, which meant we didn't have to hunt for a restaurant or negotiate prices at a tourist trap. The day ran long (you're covering both banks of the Nile, after all), but the private vehicle and hotel pickup meant no waiting for a group to assemble or figuring out how to get back to your hotel at the end. Entry fees to all the sites are built in, so there's no surprise cost at each gate. By late afternoon, when the driver dropped us back at the hotel, we'd seen the four major stops and had enough context to actually understand what we were looking at, which is the whole point of bringing a guide in the first place.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor, private air-conditioned transport between all sites, entry fees to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak Temple, a qualified Egyptologist guide throughout the day, and lunch.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private full-day tour of Luxor's East and West BanksGuide in 6 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00Pickup is included

SoloGuide in 6 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Etro tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Luxor's major temples and tombs in one day without arranging transport, entry tickets, or a guide separately: the private vehicle and included Egyptologist mean you move at a steady pace and actually understand what you're looking at instead of guessing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

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.

How long is the full-day Luxor tour?

The tour covers the entire day, visiting four major sites across both banks of the Nile. Exact duration depends on how long you spend at each location, but plan for a full day from hotel pickup to drop-off.

What's included in the tour price?

Private air-conditioned transport, entry fees to all sites (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple), a qualified Egyptologist guide, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, with accessible transportation and surfaces at the sites. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll be moving between sites in an air-conditioned vehicle, though there is walking at each location.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is arranged as part of the booking. The exact time depends on your hotel location and the tour operator's schedule.

Can I choose which tombs to visit in the Valley of the Kings?

The guide leads you through the major tombs included in the tour itinerary. Entry to the Valley of the Kings is included, but access to specific tombs may depend on current opening and preservation status.

Is lunch included, and are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes, lunch is included. Dietary restrictions should be mentioned when booking so the operator can arrange accordingly.