Luxor West Bank Private Tour: Queens Valley, Habu Temple & Artisans

Summary

Explore Ancient Tombs and Temples on Luxor’s West Bank

You’ll walk through ancient tombs, hear stories from a real Egyptologist guide, and see temples most visitors miss—all in half a day with private transport and hotel pickup.

What’s the experience like?

There’s something about the early morning light in Luxor—the way it hits the Colossi of Memnon makes those giant statues look almost alive. Our driver pulled up right on time, and after a quick hello, we set off across the river. The air was dry but not too hot yet, and you could smell fresh bread from a nearby bakery as we passed through the village streets.

Our Egyptologist guide, Ahmed, knew every shortcut and story. First stop: Valley of the Queens. The path winds between rocky hills, and you’ll notice how quiet it gets—just the crunch of gravel underfoot. Inside one tomb, colors still pop on the walls even after thousands of years. Ahmed pointed out details I’d never have noticed alone, like tiny carved stars on the ceiling above Nefertari’s resting place.

Next up was Deir el-Medina—the old workers’ village. It’s smaller than I expected but packed with history. You can peek into houses where artisans once lived with their families, and there’s this little shrine to Hathor tucked away behind a stone wall. The tombs here are less crowded than other sites; we had one all to ourselves for a few minutes, just listening to birds outside and trying to imagine daily life for these ancient craftsmen.

The last big stop was Medinet Habu, Ramses III’s temple. The reliefs are deep enough to run your fingers along (though Ahmed gently reminded us not to touch), and you can still see traces of blue paint in shaded corners. It’s quieter than Karnak or Luxor Temple—no big crowds—so you really get time to take it all in. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped for bottled water at a roadside stall where kids waved at us from their bikes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor West Bank Monuments

• Visit Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu
• Tour the Valley of the Queens
• Explore Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Artisans)
• See the Colossi of Memnon statues

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young kids?

Yes! The tour is family-friendly—strollers and infant seats are available if needed.

Can I join if I use a wheelchair?

Absolutely—the tour is wheelchair accessible throughout all main stops.

How long does the tour last?

The experience takes about half a day including pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or Nile cruise.

Will there be bottled water provided?

Yes, bottled water is included during your tour so you can stay refreshed in the Luxor heat.

What’s included

Your private tour includes hotel or Nile cruise pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle, a knowledgeable Egyptologist guide throughout your visit, entrance to all main sites (Valley of the Queens, Deir el-Medina, Medinet Habu Temple), plus bottled water for everyone in your group.