- DurationApprox. 9 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise
- PriceFrom $105 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Luxor day tour covers the highlights of both sides of the Nile in a single, well-planned day. You start on the West Bank while it is still cool, with three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then cross back for lunch and spend the afternoon at Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
It is a full day, ideal if you only have one day in Luxor or arrive by cruise boat with a free day. Your Egyptologist explains how the living city on the East Bank and the city of the dead on the West Bank worked together in ancient Thebes. Private transport, entrance fees, water and lunch are all included, so you only need to bring a hat and comfortable shoes.
Highlights
- Both banks of Luxor in one day with a private Egyptologist
- Three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- Karnak’s Great Hypostyle Hall and Luxor Temple
- Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant
- Entrance fees for the listed sites included
Itinerary
07:00 – Pickup in Luxor
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel or cruise boat and drive over the bridge to the West Bank. Starting early lets you reach the tombs before the heat and the coach groups. Your guide uses the drive to introduce the New Kingdom pharaohs whose monuments you will see today.
07:45 – Valley of the Kings
Visit three decorated tombs included in the standard ticket, chosen from those open that day, often Ramesses III, Ramesses IV or Ramesses IX. Your guide explains the scenes from the Book of the Dead and the king’s journey through the night. Tutankhamun’s tomb can be added with an extra ticket.
09:45 – Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon
Continue to Deir el-Bahari for the three-terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set against sheer cliffs, with reliefs of her expedition to Punt. On the way back to the river, stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon, the two seated giants of Amenhotep III.
12:00 – Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant, typically grilled chicken or kofta, rice, salads, bread and dips, with a soft drink or water. It is a good chance to rest out of the midday sun before the East Bank temples.
Meals: Lunch
13:30 – Karnak Temple
Walk through the pylons into Karnak, the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, built and extended over some 2,000 years. Stand among the 134 giant columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, see Hatshepsut’s obelisk and the sacred lake, and hear how the god Amun was worshipped here.
15:30 – Luxor Temple and return
Finish at Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, with its colossal statues of Ramesses II, the court of Amenhotep III and a mosque built on top of the ruins. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel or boat, arriving around 17:00.
Good to know: The order of visits may be reversed in summer or to suit cruise schedules. Photography inside the Valley of the Kings tombs needs a separate photo ticket.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Private Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees: Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Tutankhamun’s tomb (about $14) and other special tombs
- Valley of the Kings photo ticket
- Extra drinks
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $195 |
| 2 travellers | $139 |
| 3–5 travellers | $120 |
| 6+ travellers | $105 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one day enough for Luxor?
One day is enough to see the essential sights on both banks, which is exactly what this tour is designed for. It is a full, busy day. If you have two days, you can split it into a West Bank morning and an East Bank afternoon at a slower pace, and add Medinet Habu or the Luxor Museum.
How much walking is there?
Expect around 6–8 km on foot during the day, mostly on flat ground, with sloping corridors in the tombs and a ramp at Hatshepsut Temple. Karnak is large, but your guide plans a route with shade and rest stops. Because the tour is private, we can slow the pace whenever you like.
Can I visit Tutankhamun’s tomb?
Yes, with an extra ticket of about $14 bought at the Valley of the Kings. Seti I’s tomb, the most beautifully decorated, costs around $39 extra. Your guide will help you fit them in without missing the rest of the day.
Can you cater for vegetarian or other diets at lunch?
Yes. Egyptian food has plenty of vegetarian dishes such as lentil soup, falafel, stuffed vegetables and salads. Tell us about vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergy needs when you book and we will choose a suitable restaurant.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
