Luxor West Bank Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple

Summary

Guided Tomb Exploration & Ancient Temples on Luxor’s West Bank

Walk through ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings, stand beneath Hatshepsut Temple’s dramatic colonnades, and pause at the towering Colossi of Memnon—all with a local guide and easy hotel pickup. It’s an experience that lingers long after you leave Luxor behind.

What’s the experience like?

We were already sweating a bit when we stepped out of the van—Luxor sun just hits different, even before 9am. Our guide, Ahmed, handed me a bottle of water and grinned, “Ready for the Valley of the Kings?” I remember dust swirling around my shoes as we walked up to those cliffs. The air felt dry but somehow electric—like you could almost hear whispers from inside the rock. Inside one of the tombs (I think it was Ramesses IV), I ran my fingers along a painted wall—cool to the touch, colors still weirdly bright after thousands of years. Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so small down there.

After that, we piled back into the air-conditioned van (thank god for that) and drove over to Hatshepsut Temple. The place is wild—just these clean lines rising up against raw stone cliffs. Ahmed told us stories about her being Egypt’s only female pharaoh while a couple of kids chased each other across the courtyard. There was this smell—like hot limestone and something sweet from a vendor’s cart drifting over. We found some shade under one of those massive columns and just took it all in for a minute.

Quick stop at the Colossi of Memnon on our way back—honestly, they’re even bigger than they look in photos. Someone nearby was playing music on their phone and it mixed with the sound of wind moving through empty fields. By then, I was tired but kind of buzzing from everything we’d seen. If you’re thinking about booking a private West Bank tour in Luxor, I’d say do it—the stories stick with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Luxor's Ancient Sites

• Journey to Valley of the Kings
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Travel to Hatshepsut Temple
• Tour Hatshepsut Temple
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does a typical Valley of the Kings tour from Luxor take?

Most guided tours last around 4–5 hours including stops at Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon.

Are tickets to all tombs included in a standard Valley of the Kings tour?

The main entry ticket covers three open tombs; special tombs like Tutankhamun require an extra ticket.

Is hotel pickup included in private West Bank tours in Luxor?

Yes, most private tours include hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

What should I wear for visiting Luxor’s West Bank sites?

Light clothing, comfortable shoes, sun protection (hat/sunscreen), and bring water—it gets very hot.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees to main sites on Luxor’s West Bank, plus guidance from a knowledgeable local who brings each stop—Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon—to life along the way.