Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple West Bank Tour Luxor
- Duration5 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirmed before you pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This half-day Luxor tour focuses on the two most famous sights of the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried, and the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. An English-speaking Egyptologist collects you from your hotel and leads a shared group, with lunch at a local restaurant before you return. Entry fees are included depending on the option you choose; the default option includes them. It is ideal if you want depth rather than a rushed full day.
Highlights
- Enter three decorated royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Learn how the tombs were cut, painted and hidden from robbers
- Explore the three terraces of Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari
- See the Punt expedition reliefs and the Hathor chapel
- Pass the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank road
- Hotel pickup, lunch and an Egyptologist guide
- Entry fees included in the default option
Full Description
Inside the Valley of the Kings
From about 1500 BC, pharaohs abandoned pyramids and chose this remote desert valley on Luxor's West Bank for secret rock-cut tombs. Long corridors descend into the mountain, their walls painted with texts guiding the king through the twelve hours of the night. The tomb of Ramesses VI, for example, has a ceiling covered with the sky goddess Nut swallowing the sun.
Your ticket includes three tombs from those open on the day, and our guide helps you choose the best-preserved. The small electric train from the visitor centre saves a hot walk up the valley. Anyone planning a Valley of the Kings tour should know that Tutankhamun's tomb, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, needs a separate ticket, and his mummy still rests inside.
Queen Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahari
Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for about two decades in the 15th century BC, first as regent and then as pharaoh, often shown wearing the royal false beard. Her temple, named Djeser-Djeseru, the Holy of Holies, rises in three colonnaded terraces set against a sheer amphitheatre of cliffs, a design centuries ahead of its time.
Look for the statues of the queen as Osiris on the upper terrace and the reliefs of her expedition to Punt, with ships loaded with incense trees. After her death many of her images were chiselled away, a mystery our guide explains on site. Is the Hatshepsut Temple worth visiting? Its setting alone makes it one of the most photographed monuments in Egypt.
Luxor's West Bank, the City of the Dead
Ancient Thebes was divided by the Nile: temples of the living on the east, tombs and mortuary temples on the west, where the sun sets. Today the West Bank is a landscape of sugar cane fields, villages and alabaster workshops at the foot of the Theban hills, and together with the East Bank it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the road you pass the Colossi of Memnon and see signs for the Ramesseum, Medinet Habu and the workers' village of Deir el-Medina, great extras for a second day. This West Bank tour in Luxor returns in time for an afternoon rest, and the best time to visit is between October and April, starting early to avoid the midday heat.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickupOur guide meets you at your hotel in Luxor with an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Drive to the West BankCross the Nile by bridge and pass the Colossi of Memnon on the way, about 40 minutes.
- Valley of the KingsVisit three royal tombs with your Egyptologist, about two hours.
- Temple of HatshepsutGuided visit of the terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari, about one hour.
- LunchLunch at a local restaurant on the West Bank.
- Drop-offReturn to your hotel after about five hours.
What's included
- English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor
- Lunch
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Entry fees to the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple
- Guide in Spanish, German or French
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers who cannot walk on steep, uneven ground
Meeting point
We pick you up from your hotel in Luxor in the morning; the exact time is confirmed by email or WhatsApp the day before. If local regulations do not allow pickup at your hotel, we send you a nearby meeting point in advance. Please wait in the lobby a few minutes early.
Important information
- Entry fees are included only in the options that list them.
- Tutankhamun's tomb and other special tombs need an extra ticket bought on site.
- Tomb corridors can be steep and warm; wear flat shoes with good grip.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun cream and water.
- Carry your passport or a copy for the ticket offices.
- Guides in Spanish, German or French can be requested as an add-on.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple tour cost?
The price depends on whether you choose the option with or without entry fees. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off at hotels in Luxor are included. In a few areas local rules require a nearby meeting point, which we share beforehand.
How long is the West Bank tour?
About five hours from pickup to drop-off, including lunch.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, travellers of all ages can join. Children usually love the painted tombs, but bring water and a hat as the valley gets hot.
What should I wear or bring?
Light clothes, flat shoes with grip, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream, water and your ID.
Can I book the tour for today or tomorrow?
Available dates appear in the booking calendar. Next-day tours are usually open.
What is the difference between the options?
One option covers the guide, transport and lunch, and you pay entry fees on site. The default option includes the entry fees as well.
Which tombs will I see in the Valley of the Kings?
The standard ticket covers three tombs chosen from those open that day, as tombs rotate for conservation. Your guide recommends the best ones.
Can I take photos inside the tombs?
Photography rules change from time to time, and flash is never allowed. Your guide will tell you the current rules on the day.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour.
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