Luxor: Private Day Tour Valley of Kings & Karnak Temples

Summary

Walk ancient corridors in Luxor with a local Egyptologist guide

You’ll trace ancient footsteps through Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and Karnak’s towering columns with a local Egyptologist guide. Expect quiet moments inside royal tombs, laughter over lunch, and time to explore both banks at your own pace. Pickup is included—and maybe you’ll find yourself thinking about those painted ceilings long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Hands brushing limestone, I followed our guide—Ahmed—into the Valley of the Kings before I’d even realized how early it was. He pointed out faint blue stars painted on the ceiling above Ramses IV’s tomb. The air was cool down there, almost dusty-sweet, and when Ahmed whispered about Nut swallowing the sun each night, I just stood there, half-listening, half-dreaming. My shoes squeaked on smooth stone. There was a moment when a group behind us fell silent too—everyone just sort of breathing in the oldness together.

We’d started from our hotel in Luxor (pickup was right on time, which surprised me). The drive across to the West Bank felt like crossing into another world—fields gave way to sand and then suddenly those massive Colossi of Memnon were looming up. Ahmed laughed when I tried to pronounce “Deir el-Bahari” at Hatshepsut’s temple (I definitely mangled it), but he showed me where you could still see traces of paint clinging to the columns if you squinted in the right light. Lunch came as a relief after all that heat—simple grilled chicken and rice, eaten with my hands because honestly, why not?

I didn’t expect Karnak Temple to feel so enormous. The pillars really do make you crane your neck until it hurts. We walked through the Hypostyle Hall while Ahmed explained how each pharaoh left their mark—sometimes literally chiseling over someone else’s name. There was this weirdly sweet smell from incense burning somewhere nearby, mixing with dust and sun-warmed stone. At Luxor Temple later, kids were playing soccer just outside the entrance; one kicked his ball toward us and grinned when I passed it back.

The whole private day trip around Luxor felt less like checking off sights and more like wandering through stories—with someone who actually cared about them. Seven hours disappeared fast. I still think about that blue ceiling in Ramses’ tomb sometimes—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor East and West Banks

• Hotel pickup in Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Explore Tomb of Ramses IV
• Explore Tomb of Ramses III
• Explore Tomb of Merneptah
• Optional visit to Tomb of Tutankhamun
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex
• Walk Avenue of Sphinxes
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the private day tour in Luxor?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this Luxor tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor are included.

Which sites are visited on this full-day Luxor tour?

You visit Valley of the Kings (with several tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple Complex, and Luxor Temple.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No, entrance fees are not included; you'll pay these separately at each site.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Yes, lunch is included during the tour.

Who leads this private day trip in Luxor?

A licensed Egyptologist guide leads your tour throughout the day.

Can I visit Tutankhamun's tomb on this tour?

Tutankhamun's tomb is available as an optional extra with a separate entrance fee.

What kind of transport is used for this tour?

You travel by air-conditioned vehicle between sites.

Is there free time at each attraction?

Yes, you have some free time to explore each site after your guide's explanation.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor, all transport by air-conditioned vehicle between sites on both banks of the Nile, a licensed Egyptologist guiding you throughout (with plenty of stories), plus lunch along the way before returning you back again—entrance fees aren’t covered though so bring some cash for those stops.