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

Walk ancient tombs in Luxor then stand beneath Hatshepsut’s pillars

You’ll walk through royal tombs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist guide, then stand beneath Hatshepsut Temple’s cliffs before pausing at the Colossi of Memnon. Expect cool underground air, vivid carvings, and small moments with locals—all with hotel pickup and flexible options for tickets or private guiding.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Valley of the Kings and Temples

• Travel to Valley of the Kings
• Visit royal tombs including Tutankhamen
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See the Colossi of Memnon statues

The Experience

The first thing I remember is how quiet it felt as we crossed the bridge to Luxor’s West Bank—just this soft hum from our driver and the faintest smell of dust and something sweet, maybe dates? Our Egyptologist, Ahmed, started pointing out things before we even got to the Valley of the Kings. He had this way of making you imagine what it must’ve sounded like here thousands of years ago—chants, tools on stone, that kind of thing. When we finally stepped into the first tomb (Ramses III), I actually shivered. The air was cooler underground and you could almost taste the minerals in it. The colors on those walls aren’t faded like you’d expect; they’re still wild and bright in places. Ahmed told us about Howard Carter finding Tutankhamun’s tomb—he laughed when I tried to pronounce “Tutankhamun” properly. Probably butchered it.

I didn’t expect to feel so small inside Hatshepsut Temple. The cliffs behind it make everything look sharper, more dramatic than any photo ever shows. There were a few local families wandering around too—one little boy offered me a piece of bread (I took it, not sure if that was rude or not). Ahmed explained how Hatshepsut ruled as Pharaoh, which honestly still blows my mind every time I think about it. The sun was getting high by then and the white stone almost hurt my eyes if I stared too long at those columns.

We stopped at the Colossi of Memnon on our way back—just two massive statues sitting there like they’ve always been waiting for someone to notice them. It wasn’t crowded at all; just us and a couple taking selfies with their guide in Arabic. By then my shirt was sticking to my back but I didn’t really care—I kept thinking about those painted ceilings in the tombs and how some pharaoh probably stood right where I was standing now. So yeah, if you want a half day tour that hits all these spots around Luxor without rushing or feeling lost, this one does exactly that.

Top questions

How long does this Valley of the Kings tour take?

This is a half-day tour covering Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon.

Is hotel pickup included for this Luxor tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Are entrance tickets included?

You can book with or without entrance tickets depending on your preference.

Is there an expert guide during the tour?

An Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout if you select that option.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants join this day trip from Luxor?

Infants and small children can join; prams or specialized seats are available.

Which tombs do we visit in Valley of the Kings?

Tombs may include Ramses III, Ramses IV, Merenptah, and King Tutankhamun (if open).

How far is Valley of the Kings from central Luxor?

The Valley is located on Luxor's West Bank; transport is provided as part of your tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in a comfortable air-conditioned car (wheelchair accessible), bottled water for each person, plus options to book with entrance tickets or an expert Egyptologist guide if you want a deeper dive into history before heading back to your hotel.