Private Luxor Valley of the Kings Tour: Two royal valleys in one day

How many royal tombs can you actually enter in a single day?

You're picked up from your Luxor hotel and driven to the Valley of the Kings, where your Egyptologist guide walks you through the royal tombs and explains the hieroglyphics and burial practices. Then you visit the quieter Valley of the Queens with its nearly eighty tombs, stop at the Colossi of Memnon for photos, and return to your hotel after lunch at a local restaurant. Transport and entry are handled.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings2h
2. Valley of the Queens1h 30m
3. Colossi of Memnon20m

Explore Luxor's royal tombs and landmarks

• Pickup from Luxor hotel
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Explore Valley of the Queens tombs
• See the Colossi of Memnon
• Enjoy Egyptian lunch at local restaurant
• Return to Luxor hotel

The experience

"The tombs don't give up their secrets easily," your guide will tell you as the minibus pulls away from your Luxor hotel in the early morning. "You have to know where to look, and what you're looking at." That's the difference between walking into the Valley of the Kings on your own and walking in with an Egyptologist who can read the hieroglyphics, explain why certain pharaohs chose certain chambers, and point out the details that make the difference between a pile of old stone and a story that's been buried for three thousand years. The valley itself (63 royal tombs carved into the desert floor) sits about twenty minutes from town, and the heat builds fast once you're out there, but the guide keeps the pace steady and the stops meaningful.

After the Valley of the Kings, you move to the Valley of the Queens, which most day-trippers skip. Nearly eighty tombs are scattered across this site, belonging to queens, princes, and other royal family members whose names most tourists never learn. It's quieter here, fewer crowds pressing through the narrow passages, and the guide uses that space to linger on details: a painted ceiling that's still vivid after millennia, a cartouche that tells you which dynasty built this chamber. Then comes the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that sit on the plain like sentinels, and this is where the group usually stops for photos. The statues are weathered but unmistakable, and they frame the whole west bank behind them in a way that makes the scale of what you've just seen actually sink in.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant with the rest of the group: Egyptian food, nothing fancy, but it gives your feet a break and a chance to compare notes with whoever else booked the tour. Then your driver takes you back to your hotel. The whole day runs from pickup to drop-off, and you don't have to arrange transport, negotiate entry fees, or figure out which tombs are actually worth the walk. The guide does that thinking for you.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your Luxor accommodation, entry fees to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, a professional Egyptologist guide throughout the tour, a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, and lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant with your fellow travelers.

Options for this experience

2 options

With English Guide08:00Pickup is included

With guide in another languageGuide in Spanish, French or German · 08:00Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 to 60 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 26

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Nice tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want the main west bank sites in one organized day without arranging transport or entry themselves. The guide's expertise turns what could be a self-guided walk into an actual understanding of what you're looking at, which is what makes the difference between seeing tombs and learning why they matter.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

How long is the Valley of the Kings and Queens tour from Luxor?

The tour runs a full day from hotel pickup to drop-off. Exact duration depends on your hotel location, but plan for most of your daylight hours.

Is the guide a professional Egyptologist?

Yes, the guide is a professional Egyptologist who can explain the hieroglyphics, burial practices, and history of the tombs you visit.

How many tombs are in the Valley of the Kings?

The Valley of the Kings contains 63 royal tombs. The tour covers the main ones accessible to visitors.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to both valleys, the Egyptologist guide, and lunch at a local restaurant are all included.

Is the Valley of the Queens less crowded than the Valley of the Kings?

Yes, the Valley of the Queens is less visited and typically has fewer tourists, making it quieter for exploration.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. There is walking and some climbing in the tombs, but the pace is manageable and you can rest as needed.

What is the Colossi of Memnon?

Two massive ancient Egyptian statues that stand on the west bank of Luxor. They're a popular photo stop and one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian art.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying outside Luxor?

Hotel pickup is available from most Luxor hotels. Check with the operator if your accommodation is outside the main hotel area.