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

Summary

Luxor Private Day Trip: Ancient Tombs, Temples & Local Lunch

You’ll get to walk through ancient tombs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, explore temples with an Egyptologist who brings history to life, and enjoy a real local lunch—all without rushing or crowds. It’s a day packed with stories and sights you won’t forget.

What’s the experience like?

The air on Luxor’s West Bank always feels a little drier, especially as you cross the river early in the morning. Our guide, Ahmed, met us right at our hotel—no waiting around. First stop: Valley of the Kings. The path winds between sun-bleached cliffs, and there’s this hush that settles over everyone as you walk towards the tombs. We got to pick three open tombs to enter (the ticket covers those), and Ahmed shared stories about each pharaoh—he even pointed out tiny carvings I’d have missed on my own. If you want to see Tutankhamun’s tomb or Seti I, you’ll need extra tickets; they post prices right at the entrance.

Afterwards, we ducked into one of those family-run alabaster workshops nearby. You can hear the gentle tapping from outside—craftsmen shaping stone by hand, just like their ancestors did. They let us try polishing a piece (I was terrible at it), but it made for a good laugh and some dusty hands.

The Temple of Hatshepsut rises up in these clean lines against the mountain—honestly, it looks almost modern from afar. Inside, it’s cooler and smells faintly of old stone. Ahmed explained how Hatshepsut ruled as pharaoh; he seemed genuinely proud talking about her story. Next up was Medinet Habu, Ramses III’s temple—less crowded than other sites and covered in colorful reliefs that still pop under the midday sun.

We wrapped things up at the Colossi of Memnon—those statues are massive up close; you can hear birds nesting somewhere inside one if you listen carefully. Lunch came next at a small spot locals seem to love (I went for beef shawarma; someone else tried kofta). They had cold hibiscus juice ready, which hit the spot after all that walking. By mid-afternoon, we were back at our hotel with plenty of photos—and honestly, a bit more respect for ancient Egyptian builders.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore West Bank of Luxor

• Visit Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Medinet Habu (Temple of Ramses III)
• See Colossi of Memnon and lunch

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes! The pace is relaxed and there’s shade at most stops. The vehicle is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible too.

Are entrance tickets included?

No—the basic entry fee (540 L.E.) isn’t included in the tour price. You pay for tickets on site so you can choose any extras like Tutankhamun's tomb if you want.

Can I customize which tombs we visit?

Absolutely! Your ticket lets you pick three open tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The guide will help suggest good ones based on your interests.

What are the lunch options?

You can choose from beef kabab halla, kofta, shawarma (beef or chicken), mixed grill—or go vegetarian if you prefer.

What’s included

Your own private Egyptologist guide leads every step; air-conditioned transport picks up and drops off at your hotel; bottled water plus traditional drinks are provided; lunch is included at a local restaurant with several choices—even vegetarian options available.