Luxor: Private West Bank Tour with Egyptologist & Pickup

Summary

Discover Luxor’s ancient tombs and temples with a local guide

You’ll walk through ancient tombs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist guiding you past vivid wall paintings and hidden stories. Stand beneath the towering Colossi of Memnon and climb up to Hatshepsut’s breathtaking temple terraces. Includes hotel pickup and all entry fees — but what really stays with you is that strange hush among ruins older than memory.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the silence — not the kind you get in a museum, but something heavier, almost humming. We’d just stepped out of the van near the Valley of the Kings, and our guide, Ahmed, grinned at my wide-eyed look. “It’s always like this early,” he said, waving us toward the cliffs. The air smelled faintly dusty, like old paper and sun-baked stone. I tried to imagine what it must’ve been like for workers carving these tombs thousands of years ago. Honestly, I still can’t.

Inside one tomb (I think it was Ramses III?), there were colors on the walls that looked almost fresh — blues and golds that somehow survived all those centuries. Ahmed pointed out tiny details in the hieroglyphs, tracing his finger along a line of symbols while explaining how each pharaoh wanted to outdo the last. I probably butchered every name I tried to pronounce; Ahmed laughed and told me not to worry, “Even Egyptians get confused sometimes.” That made me feel better.

We stopped by the Colossi of Memnon next — two massive statues just standing there in a field, looking both proud and a little lonely. There were a few other travelers taking photos but mostly it was quiet except for birds flitting around their feet. After that we drove over to Hatshepsut’s Temple. The light bounced off those pale terraces in a way that made everything look sharper than real life. Our guide told us stories about Hatshepsut herself — Egypt’s first female pharaoh — and I kept thinking about how bold she must have been to build something so grand right into the rock face.

I didn’t expect to feel so small here, or so curious about people who lived so long ago. The drive back was quiet; even Ahmed seemed thoughtful as we passed fields along the Nile. Sometimes travel just leaves you with more questions than answers, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor West Bank highlights

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Tour Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon statues

Top questions

How long does a private day trip from Luxor to Valley of the Kings take?

The tour covers Luxor’s West Bank highlights in one day with private transportation.

Is hotel pickup included for this Luxor West Bank tour?

Yes, pickup from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise is included.

Are entry fees covered for Valley of Kings & Hatshepsut Temple?

Entry fees for all listed sites are included in your tour price.

Will we have an Egyptologist as our guide?

Yes, your private guide is a qualified and fully licensed Egyptologist.

Is this tour suitable for travelers using wheelchairs or strollers?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for strollers/prams.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or Nile cruise ship in Luxor, all entry fees for Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon, guidance from a licensed Egyptologist throughout, plus return transport by air-conditioned vehicle — everything handled so you can just focus on being present among these ancient wonders.