King Tut Tomb

Luxor West Bank Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut

Duration
Approx. 5 hours
Route
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
Style
Private Half-Day Tour
Schedule
Available daily

Overview

The Luxor West Bank Tour explores the necropolis of ancient Thebes: the desert valleys where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in secret, painted tombs. It is the counterpart to the East Bank temples and, for many travellers, the highlight of Luxor.

You descend into the rock-cut tombs of the Valley of the Kings, where vivid hieroglyphs and ceiling stars look almost freshly painted after three thousand years. You then visit the dramatic terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, and finish at the Colossi of Memnon, the two seated giants that once guarded a vanished temple.

Pair this with our Luxor East Bank Tour for the temples of Karnak and Luxor, or see both banks together on the combined full-day tour.

Highlights

Three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
The terraced mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut
The towering Colossi of Memnon
Optional special tombs: Tutankhamun, Seti I, Nefertari

Tour Itinerary

Your Morning on the West Bank
Your Egyptologist guide collects you early from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise dock (an early start means cooler temperatures and quieter tombs) and crosses to the West Bank, the city of the dead. The centrepiece is the Valley of the Kings, the hidden burial ground of New Kingdom pharaohs including Thutmose III, Ramses VI and Tutankhamun. Your ticket includes entry to three tombs, which your guide helps you choose for the best-preserved colour and carving; he explains the symbolism on the walls outside before you go in, since guiding inside the tombs is restricted. You continue to the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh. Rising in three colonnaded terraces against a sheer cliff, it is one of the most striking buildings of the ancient world, and your guide brings her remarkable reign to life. On the way back you stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two 18-metre statues of Amenhotep III that have stood on the plain for thirty-four centuries. Some guests choose to add a special-access tomb such as Tutankhamun, Seti I or Nefertari for an extra ticket. You are then returned to your hotel or dock.

West Bank vs. East Bank vs. Full-Day Luxor

FeatureWest Bank (this tour)East Bank / Full Day
ThemeRoyal tombs & mortuary templesTemples of the gods: Karnak & Luxor
Headline siteValley of the KingsKarnak Temple
Best forTombs, painted walls, HatshepsutTemple architecture
Combine?Add East Bank for a full dayFull-day tour covers both banks

What’s Included

Included

  • All transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Luxor (hotel, cruise dock or station)
  • Certified, English-speaking Egyptologist guide
  • Bottled water on board the vehicle
  • All service charges and taxes

Not Included

  • Entrance fees (Valley of the Kings 3-tomb ticket and temples)
  • Special tombs: Tutankhamun, Seti I, Nefertari (optional extra)
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tombs can I enter in the Valley of the Kings?
The standard ticket includes any three of the open tombs. Your guide recommends the best-preserved ones on the day. Tutankhamun, Seti I and Nefertari each require a separate special ticket and can be added on request.
Can guides explain inside the tombs?
To protect the tombs, guiding is not allowed inside them. Your Egyptologist gives you the full explanation outside each tomb, so you know exactly what you are looking at before you go in.
Is an early start worth it?
Very much so. Starting early means cooler temperatures, softer light for photos and far smaller crowds in the tombs and at Hatshepsut’s temple.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The tour runs privately for your party only, with your own guide, driver and vehicle, so the pace and timing flex around you. Group or shared options can be arranged on request if you prefer a lower price point.
How do I book and pay?
Press Book Now and send your date and group size. We confirm availability and your final price within 24 hours. A deposit then secures your booking, and payment is made by secure payment link or bank transfer as advised by our team. The remaining balance and its schedule are set out in your booking confirmation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour and you receive a full refund. Inside 24 hours the deposit is retained to cover guide and transport arrangements already committed. If we cancel for weather or safety reasons, you are always refunded in full or rescheduled at no cost. Full terms are in our Cancellation Policy.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

You May Also Like

Ready to plan your Egypt journey?

Tell us your dates and interests. We’ll craft a private, tailor-made itinerary and reply within hours.

Egypt travel tips and our best deals, in your inbox.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

From
$75 /pp