Luxor: Valley of the Kings & Karnak Tour with Local Guide

Summary

See Luxor’s ancient tombs and temples with a real local guide

You’ll explore Luxor’s legendary Valley of the Kings with a local guide who brings ancient stories to life, stand beneath Karnak’s towering columns, and wander through Luxor Temple as evening light glows on centuries-old stonework. Includes hotel pickup and all entry fees—expect moments that stay with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The morning started off with me fumbling for my sunglasses — turns out, I left them back at the hotel. Our guide, Ahmed, just grinned and handed me his spare pair (they were a bit crooked but honestly, I was grateful). We set off for the West Bank first, and as we drove through Luxor’s quieter streets, I caught whiffs of fresh bread from a bakery somewhere nearby. The city felt half-awake. At the Valley of the Kings, Ahmed explained how each tomb had its own story — he pointed out faded paint on the walls that somehow survived thousands of years. It was cooler inside than I expected; my fingers traced the rough stone as he told us about Ramesses IX. There was this odd silence down there, broken only by our footsteps and Ahmed’s voice echoing softly.

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing in front of Hatshepsut’s temple — it rises right out of the cliffs like it belongs there. A group of schoolkids were giggling near the steps; one waved at us shyly before running back to her friends. The Colossi of Memnon looked almost bored watching over the fields (Ahmed joked they’ve seen more sunrises than anyone in Egypt). Crossing over to the East Bank felt like moving between worlds — suddenly there were palm trees again and more people around. Karnak Temple is massive; you walk between these columns that make you crane your neck just to see the tops. My shoes kicked up dust that sparkled in shafts of sunlight coming through gaps above.

By late afternoon we reached Luxor Temple. The light was softer now, turning everything gold for a few minutes. Ahmed showed us hieroglyphics along one wall — I tried copying a symbol with my finger and probably got it wrong because he laughed and said I’d written “duck.” There’s something about seeing these places with someone who grew up here; he knew which corners to linger in when crowds passed by. We ended up walking part of the Avenue of Sphinxes before heading back to our van, tired but kind of wired from everything we’d seen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor's West and East Banks

• Meet NASCO Tours representative
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Travel to Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Travel to Karnak Temple
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Travel to Luxor Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does this Luxor tour take?

The tour covers both East and West Banks in one day, including all main sites.

Are entry fees included for Valley of the Kings?

Yes, your main entry ticket covers access to three open tombs at Valley of the Kings.

Is hotel pickup included in this Luxor day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup is included along with air-conditioned transport throughout the tour.

Which temples are visited on this tour?

You’ll visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, and see Colossi of Memnon.

Is lunch provided during this guided tour?

No lunch is mentioned in this tour; only transport and entry fees are included.

Can infants join this Luxor private tour?

Yes, infant seats are available on request for families traveling with young children.

Are there any health restrictions for travelers?

This tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health but is suitable for most fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees for sites like Valley of the Kings (with access to three tombs), Karnak Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon stops, plus guidance from a knowledgeable local before returning comfortably to your hotel.