- DurationApprox. 5 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise
- PriceFrom $55 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Valley of the Kings tour covers the three classic sights of Luxor’s West Bank in one relaxed morning. Your Egyptologist guide collects you from your hotel or cruise boat, crosses the Nile and takes you into the desert valley where the New Kingdom pharaohs were buried, explaining what the painted corridors and burial chambers were meant to do for the king in the afterlife.
After the tombs, you visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, built in three great terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, and finish with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two seated statues of Amenhotep III. The standard ticket covers three tombs chosen from those open on the day; Tutankhamun’s tomb and the tomb of Seti I can be added with an extra ticket. You are back at your hotel around lunchtime.
Highlights
- Three decorated royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- The terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- Photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon
- Private Egyptologist guide and air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees included; Tutankhamun’s tomb available as an extra
- Early start to beat the heat and the biggest crowds
Itinerary
07:30 – Pickup in Luxor
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel or Nile cruise boat on the East Bank and drive across the bridge to the West Bank, about 30 minutes. On the way your guide gives a short introduction to ancient Thebes and why the kings chose this hidden valley for their tombs. Starting early means cooler air and quieter tombs.
08:00 – Valley of the Kings
Enter the royal necropolis and visit three tombs included in the standard ticket. Which tombs are open rotates for conservation, so your guide picks the best of the day, often from Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, Ramesses IX or Merenptah. Inside, your guide explains the scenes from the Book of the Dead and the colours that have survived for over 3,000 years. Guides are not allowed to talk inside the tombs, so explanations happen just outside each one.
10:00 – Temple of Hatshepsut
Drive a few minutes to Deir el-Bahari and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh. The temple rises in three wide terraces against the limestone cliffs. Your guide shows you the reliefs of her trading expedition to the land of Punt and the story of her divine birth.
11:15 – Colossi of Memnon
A short photo stop at the two giant statues of Amenhotep III, which once guarded the entrance to his vast mortuary temple. Your guide tells the story of why Greek and Roman visitors believed one of them sang at dawn.
12:00 – Return to your hotel
Drive back across the Nile to your hotel or cruise boat, arriving around 12:30. If you would like lunch at a local restaurant on the West Bank, or to add the Ramesseum or Medinet Habu, tell your guide or let us know when booking.
Good to know: Photography inside the tombs requires a separate photo ticket bought at the entrance. Tutankhamun’s tomb and Seti I’s tomb are not part of the standard three-tomb 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) and Hatshepsut Temple
- Bottled water
Not included
- Tutankhamun’s tomb (about $14) and Seti I’s tomb (about $39), optional
- Photo ticket for the Valley of the Kings
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $119 |
| 2 travellers | $79 |
| 3–5 travellers | $65 |
| 6+ travellers | $55 |
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
Which tombs will we see in the Valley of the Kings?
The standard ticket covers three tombs from the group open that day. The authorities rotate tombs to protect the paintings, so we cannot promise specific ones, but your guide will choose the best-decorated options available, often including Ramesses III, Ramesses IV or Ramesses IX.
Can I visit Tutankhamun’s tomb?
Yes. Tutankhamun’s tomb needs an extra ticket of about $14, bought at the site on the day. It is small, but it still holds the king’s mummy in a glass case. Seti I’s tomb, the most richly decorated in the valley, costs around $39 extra. Your guide will help you decide.
What time does the tour start, and how hot is it?
We usually start at about 07:30 so you reach the valley as it opens. From May to September the West Bank can pass 40°C by midday, so an early start makes a real difference. Bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes; we provide bottled water.
Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?
Partly. A small electric train runs from the visitor centre to the tombs, but tomb corridors slope down and some have steps. Hatshepsut Temple involves a ramp. Because the tour is private, your guide can choose tombs with easier access and keep the pace gentle.
Can I combine this with the East Bank temples?
Yes. Many guests add Karnak and Luxor Temple in the afternoon, or book our full-day Luxor tour, which covers both banks with lunch. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the best plan.
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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.
