Luxor Private Tour: Habu Temple & Queens Valley Visit

West Bank tour: visit Ramesses III temple, tomb-builders' village, and queens' burial ground in one morning

A private guided tour from Luxor visits three archaeological sites on the West Bank of the Nile: Medinet Habu (the mortuary temple of Ramesses III with nested temples from the 18th Dynasty), Deir el-Medina (the ancient village where artisans built royal tombs during the New Kingdom), and Valley of the Queens (burial site of pharaonic wives and princes). A licensed guide leads the route, which runs six hours from hotel pickup through all three stops and entry to each site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Medinet Habu2h
2. Deir el-Medina2h

Explore Luxor's West Bank sites

• Pickup from hotel or Nile cruise
• Visit Medinat Habu Temple
• Explore Temple of Amun inside Habu
• Tour Deir el-Medina village
• Visit Valley of the Queens

The experience

Pickup starts at 7:00 am from your hotel or Nile cruise in Luxor. A private air-conditioned vehicle takes you across the river to the West Bank, where Medinet Habu sits near the Theban Hills. The temple complex is 150 meters long and follows the orthodox design of New Kingdom mortuary temples, resembling the Ramesseum built by Ramesses II. Inside the main structure you'll find the Temple of Amun, which dates to the 18th Dynasty and was built by Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. It underwent modifications across multiple dynasties and the Greco-Roman period.

From there the route continues to Deir el-Medina, the Valley of the Artisans, where the workers who carved the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings lived during the 18th to 20th dynasties (roughly 1550–1080 BC). The painted walls and carvings here retain their color and detail. The final stop is Valley of the Queens, where pharaonic wives, princes and princesses were buried alongside members of the nobility. The valley sits on the west bank near the Valley of the Kings and was chosen for its isolation and proximity to Thebes. Mortuary priests maintained the tombs and performed daily rituals for the deceased.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, German or Arabic and leads the entire route. The tour includes all entry fees, a bottle of water, and return transport to your hotel or ship. The pace is set by the guide and the sites themselves rather than by a fixed schedule at each stop.

What’s included

• Tour guide in your choice of English, Spanish, German or Arabic.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.
• entry fees to all three sites.
• bottle of water.

Before you book

Lasts 6h, runs every day at 07:00 and 08:00, from US$ 68 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Emo Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?The 7:00 am start and six-hour pace suit travelers who want to cover three major West Bank sites in a single morning and return with the rest of the day free. A private vehicle means no shared stops or group waits at each location.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is Medinet Habu and why does it matter?

Medinet Habu is the mortuary temple of Ramesses III, a 150-meter structure on the West Bank near the Theban Hills. It follows the classical design of New Kingdom royal temples and contains nested temples dating to the 18th Dynasty, including the Temple of Amun built by Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, which was altered across multiple dynasties and periods.

Who lived in Deir el-Medina and what can you see there?

Deir el-Medina was home to the artisans and workers who carved the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings during the 18th to 20th dynasties (ca. 1550–1080 BC). The painted walls and hieroglyphics remain vivid and intact, showing the daily life and artistic skill of the community that built Egypt's most famous tombs.

Why was Valley of the Queens built in that location?

Valley of the Queens was chosen for its relative isolation and proximity to Thebes (modern Luxor), on the west bank of the Nile. The barren western hills provided security for the burial sites of pharaonic wives, princes, princesses and nobility from the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties (1550–1070 BCE).

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

Pickup begins at 7:00 am from your hotel or Nile cruise in Luxor. The full tour runs six hours and includes transport, all three sites, entry fees and return to your accommodation.