Luxor West Bank Tour

Luxor - Day 1: Begin your day with a morning pick-up from Luxor airport, your hotel, or port for a fully guided 6-hour tour. Your first stop will be the Necropolis of Thebes, specifically the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. This ancient burial ground features tombs carved into the Theban mountains. You’ll visit three tombs from different dynasties, with your Egyptologist guide offering recommendations on which ones to explore. Following the tomb visits, you’ll head to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh of Egypt. The tour continues with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, two of the largest ancient statues.

Valley of the Kings - At the Valley of the Kings, the resting place of Theban kings, you’ll make a brief stop at the visitor center. Your guide will highlight key features to look for in the elaborately decorated rooms. Note that visiting King Tutankhamun’s tomb requires an additional fee.

Tomb of Ramses III - Known as KV 11, the tomb of Ramesses III in the Valley of the Kings is a complex site with stunning decorations, including colorful painted sunken reliefs and traditional ritual texts. Unique to this tomb are secular scenes in the side rooms, depicting foreign tributes, royal armory, boats, and blind harpists, earning it the nickname ‘Tomb of the Harpers.’

Tomb of Ramesses IX - The tomb of King Ramesses IX, the third pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty, is rich in color and detail. The ceiling above the sarcophagus features the goddess Nut, and the tomb is one of the most decorated in the valley, despite some deterioration.

Tomb of Merenptah - Tomb 8 in the Valley of the Kings is the burial site of Pharaoh Merneptah, son of Ramesses II and Queen Isis-Nofret. Discovered by Howard Carter in 1903, the tomb features fewer lateral rooms but higher corridors and rooms. It was built on a single axis with a wider entrance, a departure from earlier tomb designs.

Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari - The Temple of Hatshepsut is one of Egypt’s most striking monuments. Your guide will share the history of the temple and Queen Hatshepsut, the female ruler who posed as a male to gain the throne. You’ll have free time to explore the large courtyards and intricate hieroglyphic decorations.

Colossi of Memnon - The Colossi of Memnon are two giant statues marking the site of Amenhotep III’s funerary temple. These statues are all that remain of the ancient complex.

Tomb of King Tutankhamun (Tut) - Visiting the tomb of Tutankhamun requires an additional fee of 300.00 EGP. This young king, who ascended the throne at around 10 years old and died at 19, is one of the most famous in the world. You’ll have the chance to see his royal mummy in the Valley of the Kings.

Tomb of Ramses VI - Located in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank, the tomb of Ramses VI is another significant site.

Tomb of Seti I - Known for its exceptional art, the tomb of Seti I is one of the finest in the Valley of the Kings. Although it has suffered some damage since its discovery in 1817, it remains a must-see for its stunning decorations.

Luxor East Bank Tour

Temple of Karnak - The Temples of Karnak are entered via the Avenue of Sphinxes. Your guide will explain the construction of the massive facade and the legacies left by various pharaohs. As you move deeper into the complex, you’ll travel back in time, with the oldest ruins dating back over 3,000 years. Highlights include the Great Court, the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 towering columns, and the sacred lake where pharaohs were purified. After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore.

Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak - At Karnak, you’ll visit one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces. The complex includes the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, the Temple of Amon, the Granite Scarab of Amenhotep III, and the Sacred Lake. Karnak is considered one of Egypt’s most beautiful ancient monuments.

Obelisk of Thutmose I - The Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, along with the Temple of Amon, are adorned with lotus and papyrus designs.

Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut - The Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, along with the Temple of Amon, are adorned with lotus and papyrus designs.

Luxor Temple - Once connected to the Temples of Karnak by a two-kilometer Avenue of Sphinxes, Luxor Temple is dominated by statues of Ramses II. Despite Nile floods, invasions, and exposure to the elements, it remains a pure Egyptian temple with intricately decorated walls and columns. Your guide will help you decipher the hieroglyphics and explain how Alexander the Great integrated himself into the temple’s history. You’ll also see one of the original obelisks, with its pair now standing in Paris.

Avenue of Sphinxes - This spectacular avenue once stretched six miles from Luxor to Karnak, lined with sphinxes on both sides. Today, only a few hundred meters remain, but it is still an impressive sight.

• Private tour as per the attached itinerary
• Entry fees (optional)
• Lunch
• Hotel pickup and drop-off with air conditioned modern vehicle
• Qualified Egyptologist guide

• Gratuities
• Any personal expenses