Private East and West Banks Tour with Felucca Luxor
- DurationAbout 8 hours
- Daily
- Private
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirmed before you pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This private full-day tour shows you both sides of the Nile at Luxor: the temples of the East Bank, the home of the living, and the tombs and funerary temples of the West Bank, the realm of the dead. You travel in your own air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a private Egyptologist guide, visit the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut, enjoy lunch and finish with a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile. The default option includes the entry fees to the included sites and private hotel pickup and drop-off on the East Bank. Because the tour is private, you set the pace, linger where you like and travel only with your own party, which suits families, couples and friends.
Highlights
- Private Egyptologist guide and private driver for your party only
- Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom
- Temple of Hatshepsut, terraced into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari
- East Bank temples of ancient Thebes
- Felucca ride on the Nile
- Lunch included
- Entry fees to the included sites in the default option
- Private hotel pickup and drop-off on the East Bank, with guides in six languages
Full Description
The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom, cut into the barren hills of the West Bank. From about 1500 BC the pharaohs were buried here in tombs with long corridors and painted chambers, hidden from the tomb robbers who had plundered the pyramids. Your private guide explains the funerary texts and the symbolism of the scenes, and chooses the tombs that best show the art.
The standard ticket covers a few tombs, chosen on the day; the tomb of Tutankhamun and some others need a separate ticket. Tombs are narrow and warm, and photography inside is restricted, so bring water and wear light clothes. With a private tour you can arrive early, before the crowds and the heat, and spend longer where you wish.
The Temple of Hatshepsut
The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is one of the most striking buildings in Egypt, a series of colonnaded terraces rising against a sheer limestone cliff. It was built around 1470 BC for Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, as her mortuary temple. Long ramps connect the terraces, and the reliefs show a trading expedition to the land of Punt.
Your guide tells the story of the queen, her building programme and the later attempts to erase her name. The setting is dramatic, and the white stone glows in the morning light. Allow about an hour. This is the best place on the West Bank for panoramic photographs, so ask your driver to stop where the light is good.
The East Bank temples
On the East Bank, in the area of the modern city, stand the great temples of ancient Thebes: Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, and Luxor Temple beside the Nile. Karnak has the Great Hypostyle Hall, with its forest of giant columns, and Luxor Temple has a handsome colonnade and courtyard that looks beautiful in the afternoon light.
Your guide confirms which East Bank sites are on your programme, depending on the time and your interests. A private tour lets you decide whether to spend more time at Karnak or to see more places. Karnak is huge, and two hours there is not too long if you enjoy detail.
A felucca ride and lunch
Between the temples, a lunch break gives you time to rest, with Egyptian dishes at a local restaurant. Lunch is included, while drinks and tips are paid by you.
The felucca ride on the Nile is the quiet end of the day: a traditional sailing boat with a white sail glides along the river with the Luxor skyline and the green West Bank around you. It is a gentle contrast to the temples. The whole day takes about eight hours, starting at seven or eight in the morning, and you can ask the guide to slow down or speed up at any point. Hotel pickup on the West Bank is available as an add-on.
Itinerary
- Private hotel pickupYour guide and driver collect you from your East Bank hotel at 07:00 or 08:00.
- Valley of the KingsVisit the royal tombs with your private Egyptologist.
- Temple of HatshepsutExplore the terraced mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.
- LunchEgyptian lunch at a local restaurant.
- East Bank templesVisit the great temples of the East Bank, as agreed with your guide.
- Felucca ride and drop-offA relaxing felucca ride on the Nile, then return to your hotel after about eight hours.
What's included
- Private hotel pickup and drop-off on the East Bank
- Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle
- Private Egyptologist guide
- Felucca ride on the Nile
- Lunch
Not included
- Entry fees to the sites (paid on site)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off on the West Bank (available as an add-on)
- Drinks
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Guests with serious mobility problems, because tombs and temples involve steps and uneven ground
- Travellers who prefer a short tour (this is a full day of about eight hours)
Meeting point
Private pickup and drop-off from East Bank hotels in Luxor is included, at 07:00 or 08:00 as you prefer; our team confirms the exact time at checkout and on WhatsApp the evening before. Hotel pickup and drop-off on the West Bank is available as an add-on. Please wait in the hotel lobby a few minutes early.
Important information
- Wear comfortable shoes, light modest clothes, a hat and sunglasses.
- Bring sunscreen and water.
- Entry fees are included in the default option and paid on site in the second option.
- Drinks and tips are not included.
- Photography rules apply inside the tombs.
- Choose your guide's language at booking: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.
- The tombs are narrow and warm; tell your guide if you feel unwell.
- The sites have steps and uneven ground.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private tour?
It is a private tour. The guide, driver and vehicle are for your party only.
Can we change the itinerary or the pace?
Yes. As a private tour, you can adjust the order, spend longer at the places you like and skip what does not interest you. Your guide advises on opening times and crowds.
How many people can join?
The vehicle is for your party only. Tell us the size of your group on WhatsApp so we can assign the right vehicle.
Is the price per person or per group?
The options are priced per person in the booking panel, which shows the current price of each option and updates with the date and number of guests.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, private pickup and drop-off from East Bank hotels is included. West Bank pickup is available as an add-on.
What is included?
Private hotel pickup and drop-off, a private driver and air-conditioned vehicle, a private Egyptologist guide, a felucca ride, lunch and, in the default option, the entry fees to the included sites. Drinks and tips are not included.
How long is the tour?
About eight hours, starting at 07:00 or 08:00.
Is it suitable for children and reduced mobility?
Children usually enjoy the tombs and the felucca. The sites involve steps and uneven ground, so tell us about any mobility needs.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and some cash for drinks.
What is the best time of year?
October to April is cooler and best for sightseeing. In summer the early start helps with the heat.
Which languages can the guide speak?
Arabic, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Choose the language when you book.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your private Luxor tour option, date and number of guests in the booking panel on this page and send the request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends the final pickup or meeting details.
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