Luxor: Valley of Kings & Hatshepsut Temple Private Tour

Both sides of Luxor in one day, three royal tombs included

You visit three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, see the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank, then cross to the East Bank for Karnak and Luxor Temple. Your private guide is an Egyptologist, the car is air-conditioned, and all entry fees are included. The full day takes eight to ten hours, and you don't arrange transport or tickets yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Valley of the KingsEntry included2h
2. Temple of HatshepsutEntry included1h
3. Colossi of MemnonEntry included10m
4. Luxor TempleEntry included1h

Explore Luxor West and Eastbank

• Visit 3 tombs at Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon statues
• Discover the largest temple in the world
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Tour Valley of the Queens tombs

The experience

The driver showed up twenty minutes early, which threw off my whole morning rhythm, but that's actually how you know the logistics are tight. He was waiting with a cold bottle of water and the air conditioning already running in the car. We were heading out to cover both banks of Luxor in a single day: the West Bank tombs and temples, then back across the Nile to the East Bank monuments. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but the private setup means no waiting for a group to shuffle through the gift shop or take a bathroom break. You move at your own pace, and the guide (an Egyptologist who'd spent years studying the inscriptions) didn't rush us through any of it.

The Valley of the Kings came first, early enough that the heat hadn't yet turned the air into something solid. Three royal tombs are included in your entry, and the guide walked us through the painted burial chambers, pointing out which pharaohs were buried where and what the hieroglyphics actually meant. The Colossi of Memnon sit just outside the valley: two massive stone statues of Amenhotep III that have been standing in the same spot for over three thousand years, and seeing them in person is different from any photograph. After that, the Temple of Hatshepsut rises up from the desert floor in these clean, geometric terraces. It's the only queen's temple in Egypt, and the scale of it stops you. The guide explained the political reasons she built it, the way she presented herself as male in the reliefs, the whole story of how a woman claimed the throne.

By midday you cross back to the East Bank, where Karnak Temple sprawls across acres of pylons, courtyards, and columns: the largest temple complex in the world, and it shows. The guide navigates you through the layout so it doesn't feel like you're wandering in circles. Luxor Temple sits right in town, smaller than Karnak but more intact, with the colossal statues of Ramesses II still guarding the entrance. The whole day runs about eight to ten hours depending on how long you linger at each site, and the air-conditioned car is your refuge between stops. You can choose to add the Valley of the Queens as well if you want to see the burial sites of royal wives and children, though that pushes the day longer.

The inclusions matter here: private transport, the guide, all entry fees. You're not stopping to negotiate tickets or figure out which tomb to enter. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and if you're traveling with small children, there's room to move around without feeling cramped. Just know that walking between sites and climbing into tombs requires at least moderate fitness. The heat and the uneven ground aren't forgiving. Book the option that includes the guide and tickets, because trying to navigate the Valley of the Kings without someone who knows the history is like reading the inscriptions without a translation.

What’s included

• Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation, a private Egyptologist guide (if selected), entrance tickets to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple (if selected), and all fees and taxes.
• The Valley of the Queens can be added.
• You can book transport alone, transport with a guide, or the full package including all entry fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Car+ GuideGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 05:30, the last at 10:00Pickup and drop-off are included

Car, guide, entry fees and lunchGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 05:30, the last at 10:00Pickup and drop-off are included

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

Before you book

Lasts 8h–10h, runs every day, 10 start times, from US$ 31.25 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 05:30, the last at 10:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

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

Operated by Luxor Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both banks of Luxor in one day without arranging your own transport or figuring out which tombs to enter: the private setup and included guide mean you move at your own pace and understand what you're looking at, which is what makes a long day feel manageable instead of rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): 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 many tombs can you enter in the Valley of the Kings?

Three royal tombs are included with your entry ticket. Your guide will explain the history and hieroglyphics inside each one.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The vehicle and some temple areas are wheelchair accessible, but the Valley of the Kings involves uneven terrain and steps into tombs. Check specific site access with your guide before booking.

How long is the full day tour?

The tour runs eight to ten hours depending on how long you spend at each site. It covers both the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon) and the East Bank (Karnak, Luxor Temple).

What's included in the price?

Private transport, air-conditioned vehicle, and all taxes are always included. You can add a private Egyptologist guide and entrance tickets as separate options, or book transport only.

Can you add the Valley of the Queens?

Yes, the Valley of the Queens can be added to the itinerary. It's a burial site for royal wives and children with intricate tomb paintings. This extends the tour length.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not mentioned in the standard inclusions. Plan to eat at a restaurant during the day or bring snacks.

Do I need a certain fitness level?

Moderate physical fitness is recommended. You'll walk between sites, climb into tombs, and navigate uneven ground in heat. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.