Luxor East and West Bank Tour: Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Hatshepsut and More
A complete journey through the ancient capital of Egypt, guided by a dedicated Egyptologist on both banks of the Nile.
This Luxor full-day private tour brings together the most significant monuments of ancient Thebes in a single, expertly guided experience. From the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings to the colossal temples of Karnak and the terraced sanctuary of Hatshepsut, every stop reveals a different chapter of pharaonic civilization. A Nile-view lunch and private door-to-door transfers ensure the day is as comfortable as it is historically rich.
Luxor sits more than 640 kilometers south of Cairo, yet it holds the greatest concentration of ancient monuments in the world. The city straddles the Nile, with the temples of the living on the East Bank and the necropolises of the dead on the West Bank, a division that mirrors the ancient Egyptian belief that the rising sun represented life and the setting sun represented the passage to the afterlife.
A private Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout the day, providing scholarly context at each site without the distractions of a large group. The itinerary is structured to move efficiently between the West Bank necropolises in the morning and the East Bank temple complexes in the afternoon, maximizing time at each location.
The tour is rated easy in terms of physical difficulty, making it accessible to most travelers, though comfortable footwear and sun protection are strongly advised given the outdoor nature of the sites.
Tour Highlights
Visit four royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including the tomb of Tutankhamun, the only burial chamber discovered nearly intact in 1922.
Explore the vast Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious structures ever built, featuring pylons, chapels, and hypostyle halls.
Stand before the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a three-tiered architectural masterpiece carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
See the Colossi of Memnon, two towering statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have guarded the Theban Necropolis for over 3,000 years.
Benefit from private, door-to-door transfers and the exclusive attention of a personal Egyptologist guide throughout the entire day.
Enjoy a full lunch at a restaurant with views overlooking the Nile, included in the tour price.
Cover both the East Bank temples and the West Bank necropolises in a single seamless itinerary, no independent logistics required.
Itinerary
Your day begins with a transfer to the Theban Necropolis on the West Bank of Luxor. Here, carved deep into the limestone cliffs, lie the royal tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs. You visit four tombs: those of Ramses, Horemheb, and Merenptah, along with the celebrated Tomb of Tutankhamun, whose burial chamber was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922 and remains the only royal tomb found largely intact.
Rising in three grand terraces from the desert floor into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Hatshepsut is one of the most distinctive structures of the ancient world. Known in antiquity as Djeser-Djeseru, or Holy of Holies, the temple served as a focal point for the Beautiful Festival of the Valley and its main axis is aligned to receive the sacred barque of Amun-Re.
At the edge of the cultivated land on the West Bank stand two colossal seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, each rising to approximately 18 meters. Originally positioned at the entrance to the largest mortuary temple in the Theban Necropolis, the statues are among the most recognizable monuments in all of Egypt.
A full lunch is served at a restaurant overlooking the Nile, providing a comfortable break between the West Bank and East Bank portions of the tour. This is an opportunity to reflect on the morning visits before continuing to the temple complexes.
The Karnak complex is among the largest religious sites ever constructed, encompassing a sprawling ensemble of temples, pylons, obelisks, and sacred lakes accumulated over more than 2,000 years of pharaonic history. Your Egyptologist guide navigates the layered architecture and explains the contributions of successive rulers to this monumental precinct dedicated primarily to the god Amun-Re.
The tour concludes with a visit to Luxor Temple, situated in the heart of modern Luxor along the corniche. Built largely by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramses II, the temple was dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship and served as the southern terminus of the Avenue of Sphinxes connecting it to Karnak. Private transfers return you to your accommodation at the end of the day.
What Is Included
Included
- Private door-to-door transfers from your Luxor accommodation
- Personal Egyptologist guide for the full duration
- Entrance fees to the Valley of the Kings (four tombs)
- Entrance fees to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
- Entrance fees to the Karnak Temple Complex
- Entrance fees to Luxor Temple
- Visit to the Colossi of Memnon
- Full lunch at a Nile-view restaurant
- All taxes and service charges
Not Included
- Gratuities for guide and driver (discretionary)
- Personal travel insurance
- Drinks and additional meals beyond included lunch
- Optional extra tomb entrance fees (e.g., KV62 Tutankhamun if charged separately)
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Luxor Tour
Secure your place on this comprehensive private guided tour of Luxor's East and West Banks, covering the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Hatshepsut, and more in a single well-organized day.
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