Luxor's essential morning
Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut
The royal tombs first, while the valley is cool, then Hatshepsut's terraces and the Colossi of Memnon.
This Luxor West Bank tour crosses to the necropolis of ancient Thebes, where the kings of the New Kingdom were buried for nearly 500 years. Pickup is at 8 am from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise, early enough to reach the Valley of the Kings before the heat settles into it.
The standard ticket opens three tombs of your choice from those open that day, and your guide helps you choose between them for their colour and relief. Tutankhamun's and Seti I's tombs need their own extra tickets, which you can add on the day.
From the valley you continue to the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the terraced monument of one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, set against the cliffs. The last stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two statues of Amenhotep III about 21 metres tall, which once guarded the entrance to his vanished temple.
The morning is best paired with a night or two in Luxor, so the East Bank temples of Karnak and Luxor can have their own time.
- Travel time
- Short drives on the West Bank
- Time at sites
- Most of the 5–6 hours
- Group
- Private: your party only
- Transport
- Air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Departure
- Daily at 8:00 am
- Meeting point
- Your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise
- Guide languages
- English
- Best time to go
- October to April; start at 8 am in any season
- Intensity
- Moderate
What the day includes
- Three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- The temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- The Colossi of Memnon
- An 8 am start for the cooler hours
Places you visit
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
- Deir el-Bahari
- Colossi of Memnon
Included
- Hotel or cruise pickup and drop-off
- Professional tour guide
- Entrance fees
- Transport in Luxor
- Taxes
Not included
- Tomb of Tutankhamun and tomb of Seti I (extra tickets)
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Entrance tickets
- Included: Valley of the Kings (three tombs), Hatshepsut temple
- Optional / extra
- Tomb of Tutankhamun; tomb of Seti I
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
- Tour format
- Private
How the day runs
08:00
Pickup
From your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise.
Valley of the Kings
Three royal tombs from those open on the day.
Temple of Hatshepsut
The terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari.
Colossi of Memnon
The twin statues of Amenhotep III.
Return
Back to your hotel or boat.
Questions about this tour
How many tombs can I see in the Valley of the Kings?
The standard ticket covers three tombs from those open that day. Tutankhamun's and Seti I's tombs need separate tickets.
Why start at 8 am?
The valley is a stone basin that traps heat. The first hours are cooler and less crowded.
How much does it cost for my group?
Prices are per person and fall as the group grows: 1 person $150; 2–4 people $85 each; 5–8 people $80 each; larger groups $75 each. All prices are in US dollars.
What should I wear?
Light, modest clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Shoulders and knees covered is the safe choice at every site; bring a hat, sunscreen and water.