Luxor: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Memnon Statues Tour

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration5h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · FR +1

PickupAt your hotel

Walk ancient tombs and temples in Luxor’s West Bank with a local guide

You’ll wander through ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings, stand beneath Hatshepsut’s dramatic temple cliffs, and stare up at the silent Colossi of Memnon—all with a local guide who knows every story. Expect moments of awe, some laughter, and plenty of time to let it all sink in before heading back to your hotel.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Luxor West Bank sites

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

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the hush—like the air itself was holding its breath as we stepped out at the Valley of the Kings. Our guide, Mahmoud, handed me a cold bottle of water (needed it already) and grinned, “Ready to meet some pharaohs?” The cliffs were pale gold against a sky so bright it almost hurt. Inside Tutankhamun’s tomb, I caught that faint scent—old stone and something sweet, maybe incense? I tried to imagine what these colors looked like 3,000 years ago. It’s hard to say if I felt small or just lucky.

We drove over to the Temple of Hatshepsut next. The façade looks unreal from a distance—almost modern with those clean lines pressed up against the cliffs. Mahmoud told us stories about Hatshepsut being one of Egypt’s only female pharaohs. He pointed out carvings where her beard was chiseled on later (I laughed; she must’ve been tough). There was a breeze coming off the desert that caught my scarf and made it flap around my face. I kept thinking how quiet it was except for a group of school kids giggling nearby.

The last stop was the Colossi of Memnon—two huge statues just standing there in an empty field, looking like they’ve seen everything and don’t care much anymore. We took some photos but mostly just stood around squinting up at them while Mahmoud explained how they used to guard a whole temple that’s long gone now. By then my shoes were full of sand and my brain was full too—I still think about that view back toward Luxor city, all heat haze and palm trees in the distance. Anyway, if you want a half day tour in Luxor that actually feels personal (and includes pickup so you don’t have to think), this is it.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off for easy logistics, entry tickets (depending on your booking choice), guided visits to Queen Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings—including King Tutankhamun’s tomb—and time at the Colossi of Memnon. You’ll have an English-speaking licensed guide by your side plus bottled water along the way before returning comfortably at the end.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Icon Tours Egypt