Luxor: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Lunch Tour

Summary

Walk ancient tombs in Luxor, cross the Nile, taste local lunch

You’ll cross the Nile from Luxor’s bustle into the quiet West Bank with your Egyptologist guide, step deep inside royal tombs at the Valley of Kings, walk beneath Hatshepsut’s stone columns, and pause for a fresh falafel or koshary lunch before heading back — all without worrying about transport or haggling. The light and silence here might stay with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out early from our hotel in Luxor — not my best hour, but the city was just waking up and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. Our guide, Ahmed, waved us into a cool car (blessed air-con), and we crossed the Nile towards the West Bank. The water looked almost silver in that morning light, fishermen already out with their nets. I half expected to see pharaohs themselves drifting by.

The Valley of Kings was quieter than I’d pictured — just this dry hush between cliffs, with bursts of color from tourists’ hats. Ahmed pointed out which tombs were open that day (apparently it changes), and led us down into one. The walls glowed with these blues and golds that somehow survived centuries underground. It smells a bit like dust and old stone down there — not unpleasant, just… ancient. He told stories about Tutmosis and Ramses that made me forget the heat for a second. I think I lost track of time staring at those painted ceilings.

Back outside, we drove over to the Temple of Hatshepsut — honestly I didn’t expect it to be so dramatic against those cliffs. Ahmed explained how she ruled as king; he even showed me where her beard would’ve been carved on statues (Li laughed when I tried to say her name in Arabic). We wandered through those colonnades while a breeze came off the desert — hot but somehow clean-smelling, if that makes sense.

We stopped quickly at the Colossi of Memnon (giant statues just standing out there alone), then lunch: falafel sandwiches wrapped in paper at a tiny spot Ahmed knew. Crunchy outside, soft inside — I still think about that taste sometimes when I’m hungry back home. The drive back was quiet; everyone kind of lost in their own thoughts after all those stories and stones. Feels strange how close you can get to people who lived thousands of years ago.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — West Bank tour: Valley, Temple, Lunch

• Cross Nile to West Bank
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Stop for light lunch
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does this Luxor Valley of Kings tour last?

The private tour lasts around 4 hours including transfers and lunch stop.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

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

What sites are visited on this tour?

You visit the Valley of Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, plus a local lunch stop.

Is an Egyptologist guide included?

Yes, your private guide is a qualified Egyptologist.

Are entrance fees covered?

Main area entrance fees are included based on your booking option.

What’s for lunch on this Luxor tour?

You’ll stop for a light lunch: either falafel sandwich or koshary at a local spot.

How do we travel between sites?

You travel by private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.

Is bottled water provided?

Bottled water is included during your tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor by private air-conditioned car, entry fees for main sites like Valley of Kings and Hatshepsut Temple (depending on your booking), bottled water along the way, all taxes and handling charges covered up front, plus a light local lunch — usually falafel or koshary — before you’re brought back to your hotel relaxed and full.