Luxor: Valley of Kings & Karnak Temple Full Day Tour

Four Temples, Two Banks of the Nile, One Day in Luxor

You visit five major sites across Luxor's West and East Banks in a single day: the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple in the city center, and Karnak's sprawling temple complex. Your Egyptologist guide handles all the history and photography tips. The private vehicle and entry fees are included, so you only show up at your hotel at pickup time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings1h 30m
2. Temple of Hatshepsut1h
3. Colossi of Memnon15m
4. Luxor Temple1h
5. Karnak Temple1h 30m

Visit West Bank and East Bank sites

• Pick up from hotel or Nile Cruise
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Explore Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See the Colossi of Memnon statues
• Tour Luxor Temple and Abu Al-Haggag mosque
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex

The experience

You'll stand in front of the Colossi of Memnon (two limestone statues the size of apartment buildings), and realize the photos don't prepare you for the scale. Your guide will point out the weathering patterns, explain which pharaoh built them and why, and suddenly you're not just looking at old rocks anymore. That's how this Luxor tour works. It moves fast, but not rushed. Hotel pickup happens in the morning, and from there you cross to the West Bank to see the Valley of the Kings first, when the light is still manageable and the crowds haven't peaked.

The Valley itself is a narrow gorge lined with tombs carved into the cliffs (Ramses II, Sety I, Tutankhamun) each one a corridor descending into darkness and painted walls that have survived three thousand years. You walk down stone steps, duck through low doorways, and read hieroglyphics on the ceiling with your guide translating the scenes: offerings to gods, the pharaoh's journey through the afterlife, names of people who died before your country existed. After the tombs, you visit Hatshepsut's mortuary temple, a three-tiered structure built into the rock face with ramps connecting each level. It looks almost modern, which is strange for something built in 1470 BC. The temple walls show her expedition to Punt Land and her divine birth story carved in relief.

By midday you're at the Colossi of Memnon, then back across the Nile to the East Bank for Luxor Temple, which sits in the middle of the modern city and still functions as a mosque inside its ancient walls. The Abu Al-Haggag mosque was built on the temple's ruins centuries ago and nobody moved it. The contrast between the pharaonic carvings and the Islamic architecture is jarring in the best way. Your final stop is Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious site you'll see that day. It's not one temple but dozens (pylons, obelisks, chapels, a forest of columns) all built over two thousand years by different rulers. The scale is almost abstract. You walk through it with your Egyptologist guide, who knows which walls were added by which dynasty and why the layout makes sense only if you understand the theology underneath.

The whole day runs roughly eight to nine hours with the driving, entry times, and walking between sites. You're in an air-conditioned vehicle between stops, which matters in Luxor heat. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and expect to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground. Nothing extreme, but steady. By the time you return to your hotel, you'll have seen four major temples, two river banks, and enough carved stone to spend weeks thinking about what you saw.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or Nile cruise pickup, an Egyptologist guide throughout, private air-conditioned vehicle transport between all sites, entry fees to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple Complex, plus tourism police permission required for the West Bank sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day17 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Ra Egypt Tour Guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Luxor's major temples and tombs in one day without arranging transport, tickets, or navigating the sites alone. The guide's knowledge transforms what you're looking at from impressive stone into a readable story of three thousand years.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full day tour?

Approximately eight to nine hours, including hotel pickup and return, with time spent at each site and driving between locations.

What's included in the tour?

Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees to the temples and Valley of the Kings, and tourism police permission.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

Moderate fitness is recommended. You'll walk on uneven ground, climb stairs in tombs and temples, and spend time standing in the heat, but the pace is steady and there are rest periods in the vehicle.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup happens in the morning. The exact time is confirmed when you book.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not mentioned in the tour inclusions. Bring snacks and water, or ask your guide for restaurant recommendations during the day.

Can I visit just the West Bank or just the East Bank?

This tour covers both banks in one day. If you prefer a shorter or different itinerary, contact the tour operator about alternatives.

What should I bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, a hat or scarf, sunscreen, sunglasses, and plenty of water. A camera is essential if you want to capture the temples.

Are the tombs in the Valley of the Kings dark?

Yes, the tomb interiors are dimly lit. Bring a flashlight or use your phone's light to see the wall paintings clearly.