Luxor Day Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut

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Overview

  • Duration:6 hours 0 minutes
  • Travelers:1 - 15 guests
  • Tour Type:Daily tour
  • Language:English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish

Walk in the footsteps of Egypt’s greatest Pharaohs on this definitive day tour of Luxor’s West Bank. While the East Bank of the Nile represents life and the rising sun, the West Bank was the sacred realm of the afterlife, where the golden sun sets.


Led by your own private, expert Egyptologist, you will cross the Nile to explore the legendary Valley of the Kings, stepping inside the hidden, rock-cut tombs where monarchs like King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great were laid to rest. From there, you will stand in awe before the dramatic, terraced limestone Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut—Egypt's most powerful female ruler—rising seamlessly out of the desert cliffs. Concluding with the towering, ancient Colossi of Memnon, this tour is a masterclass in ancient engineering, royal mystery, and breathtaking art.

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Highlights

  • Underground Royal Tombs: Walk down the vibrant, hieroglyph-lined tunnels of 3 spectacular royal tombs in the legendary Valley of the Kings.
  • 3,000-Year-Old Art: Marvel at the incredibly bright, original paints and complex funerary texts inside the rock-cut mountain chambers.
  • The Queen's Masterpiece: Stand before the sweeping, dramatic terraced limestone cliffs of Queen Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple.
  • The Sentinels of Thebes: Make a grand stop to photograph the towering, ancient 18-meter-high Colossi of Memnon statues.
  • Private Egyptologist Insights: Unlock the political scandals, ancient engineering secrets, and royal mysteries with your own dedicated historian.

Includes/Excludes

  • Private Round-Trip Transfers: Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from any hotel or cruise ship in Luxor in a private, climate-controlled vehicle.
  • Private licensed Egyptologist: A professional, fluent English-speaking historian dedicated solely to your group.
  • Valley of the Kings Admission: Entry tickets to the archaeological site, the valley tram, and inside access to 3 standard royal tombs.
  • Hatshepsut Temple Admission: Official entrance tickets and internal transport cart.
  • Colossi of Memnon: Access to the monument viewing and photography area.
  • Chilled Bottled Water: Unlimited refreshments available in the vehicle.
  • Special Tomb Tickets: Optional entry to the tombs of King Tutankhamun, Ramses VI, or Seti I (these require separate tickets purchased directly at the valley ticket window).
  • Food & Meals: Unless lunch is selected as an add-on at booking.
  • Tipping/Gratuities: A customary, highly appreciated tip for your private driver and Egyptologist guide.

Cancellation policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Itinerary

Luxor Day Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut

08:00 AM – Private Hotel or Cruise Pickup
Your private Egyptologist guide and professional driver will pick you up directly from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise ship in a premium, air-conditioned vehicle. As you cross the Nile toward the rugged Theban Hills, your guide will set the stage, explaining the religious shift from building massive pyramids to hiding royal tombs deep within desert canyons.

08:30 AM – The Valley of the Kings (Inside 3 Royal Tombs)
Arrive at the world’s most famous archaeological burial ground. You will board an electric tram into the heart of the canyon to explore The Valley of the Kings.

Inside the Tombs: Your premium ticket grants you access to venture inside three of the most spectacularly preserved royal tombs open on the day of your visit.

The Masterpieces: Walk down vibrant, hieroglyph-lined tunnels to stand before the sarcophagi. Your guide will decode the complex funerary texts and explain how the colors have remained vividly brilliant for over 3,000 years.

(Optional Upgrade: You can purchase an extra ticket at the gate to enter the famous, intact tomb of King Tutankhamun or the breathtaking tomb of Seti I).

10:30 AM – The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
Next, drive to the breathtaking amphitheater of cliffs at Deir el-Bahari to view the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Designed by her royal architect Senenmut, this architectural marvel features three symmetrical terraces connected by grand ramps. Your guide will reveal the fascinating history of Hatshepsut's rise to power, her thriving trade expeditions to the Land of Punt, and the dramatic political attempt to erase her name from history after her death.

12:00 PM – The Colossi of Memnon
On your way back toward the Nile, make a grand photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These two massive, 18-meter-high quartzite statues depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III and have stood as sentinels guarding his long-vanished mortuary temple since 1350 BCE. Learn the eerie Roman-era legend of the "Musical Statue" that used to sing at dawn.

12:30 PM – Optional Authentic Lunch or Return Transfer
Optional Upgrade: You can choose to extend your tour to enjoy a traditional Egyptian lunch overlooking the Nile or next to the West Bank farmlands. Otherwise, your driver will comfortably transport you back to your hotel or cruise ship just in time for your afternoon relaxation.

Tour maps

Frequently asked questions

Which 3 tombs will we visit in the Valley of the Kings? Can we choose?

A: The Ministry of Antiquities rotates which tombs are open to the public to protect them from humidity and preserve the ancient paint. On the day of your tour, your expert Egyptologist will check the daily schedule and handpick the absolute best three open tombs based on color preservation, historical importance, and low crowd levels.

Is King Tutankhamun's tomb included? Can we see his mummy?

A: Entry to King Tutankhamun's tomb requires a special, premium ticket that is not included in standard general admission. However, it is very easy to add! You can purchase this ticket at the main gate. Inside, you will see his actual royal tomb chamber, his dazzling outermost wooden sarcophagus, and his actual mummified body on display in a climate-controlled glass case.

Is there a lot of walking or climbing involved in this tour?

A: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking on dusty, gravel pathways and walking down inclined ramps into the underground tombs. To make the tour accessible and comfortable, electric trams are included in your ticket to transport you from the visitor centers directly to the temple and tomb entrances. We highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a hat or umbrella for sun protection.

Are we allowed to take photos inside the royal tombs?

A: Yes! Standard photography using your smartphone (without a flash) is completely free and allowed inside the tombs. However, if you wish to bring professional photography equipment, DSLRs, or tripods, you will need to purchase a special camera permit at the main ticket office before entering the valley.

Extra Services

Airport transfers

Airport transfers

There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available

$30.00/person

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