Luxor Private Day Tour: Valley of the Kings & Temples

Summary

Guided Luxor Temples & Tombs Experience from Your Hotel

You’ll walk through ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings with a local guide by your side, feel sunlight on temple stones at Karnak and Hatshepsut’s temple, and end your day tracing carvings at Medinet Habu before heading back to your hotel—a day in Luxor you’ll remember long after you’ve left Egypt.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to stand where pharaohs once walked? I didn’t really, not until we rolled out of Luxor just after sunrise, the air still cool and a bit dusty. Our guide, Mahmoud, met us right at the hotel lobby—he had this quiet way about him, like he’d seen it all but still enjoyed sharing it. We started with the Valley of the Kings. The silence inside those tombs is something I can’t quite explain; you hear your own breath echoing off walls painted thousands of years ago. I tried to imagine what those colors looked like when they were fresh—maybe even brighter than my guide’s blue scarf.

After that, we stopped at Hatshepsut’s temple. The sun was already sharp by then, bouncing off pale stone and making me squint. Mahmoud told us how she ruled as king, not queen—he laughed when I mixed up her name (I still can’t say it right). There was this faint smell of incense near one of the shrines, or maybe just old stone warming up in the sun. At the Colossi of Memnon, a group of kids waved at us from across the road—one tried to sell me a tiny scarab carved from something greenish. I bought it for luck.

Karnak Temple came later and honestly, it’s so massive that my brain sort of short-circuited trying to take it all in. Columns everywhere—some taller than palm trees—and carvings you could run your fingers over (I did, probably not supposed to). By the time we reached Luxor Temple, late afternoon light made everything gold and soft. Mahmoud pointed out graffiti left by Napoleon’s soldiers; history layered on history. We ended at Medinet Habu—the walls there are thick and cool to touch, almost like they’re holding secrets back. I remember thinking how tired but happy I felt, dust on my shoes and a head full of stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor's East and West Banks

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Visit Medinet Habu
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

How long does this Luxor private day tour last?

The tour usually takes around 7–8 hours including pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Luxor.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No lunch is included, but bottled water is provided; you can ask your guide for local food recommendations along the way.

Are entry fees covered in this day trip?

No, entry fees are not included; you’ll pay them directly at each site during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

Yes, transportation and most sites are accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.

Will we have an Egyptologist as our guide?

Yes, your private guide is a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and return to your hotel or Nile cruise ship in Luxor by private air-conditioned vehicle, guidance from an English-speaking Egyptologist throughout each site visit, plus bottled water along the way before returning you comfortably back at sunset.