Luxor West Bank

Luxor Travels - Day 1:

In the morning, guests will be picked up from Luxor airport or their hotel/port in Luxor for a fully guided tour lasting approximately 6 hours. The first stop is the Necropolis of Thebes, the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. This ancient burial ground features tombs carved into the Theban mountains. Visitors will explore 3 tombs from various dynasties, with guidance from an Egyptologist tour guide who will offer recommendations on which tombs to visit. Following the tomb visits, guests will be transported to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman to rule Egypt as pharaoh. The tour continues with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, the two largest ancient statues in Egypt.

After exploring these sites, guests will be returned to their hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Day 2:

On the second day, there is an option for a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings Necropolis of Thebes West Bank (additional cost of 100 USD per person, weather permitting).

After breakfast, guests will be picked up from their hotel for a fully guided 4-hour tour to Karnak on Luxor’s East Bank. Karnak is a temple complex built over various reigns, beginning with the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Temple of Amon adorned with lotus and papyrus designs, as well as the Granite Scarab of Amenophis III. Karnak is considered one of the most stunning ancient monuments in Egypt. After visiting Karnak, guests will proceed to Luxor Temple, dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu, where they will see the granite statues of Ramses the Great. These ancient temples are essential for Luxor visitors. At each site, the Egyptologist tour guide will provide information, and guests will have free time to explore the ancient monuments independently.

After visiting these sites, guests will be returned to their hotel in Luxor.

Valley of the Kings - In the morning, guests will be picked up from their central Luxor hotel or harbor by an air-conditioned vehicle for a fully guided 8-hour tour. The first stop is the Necropolis of Thebes, the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. This ancient burial ground is a must-see for Luxor visitors. Guests will visit four royal tombs, including the Tomb of Ramses, the Tomb of Horemheb, and the Tomb of Merenptah.

Tomb of Ramses III - The tomb of Ramesses III, known as KV 11, is a complex system in the Valley of the Kings. Known since antiquity, its stunning decorations include colorful painted sunken reliefs featuring traditional ritual texts (Litany of Ra, Book of Gates, etc.) and Ramses before the gods. Unique secular scenes in the small side rooms of the entrance corridor depict foreign tributes, such as detailed pottery from the Aegean, the royal armory, boats, and, in the last of these side chambers, the blind harpists that gave the tomb its alternative name: ‘Tomb of the Harpers.’

Tomb of Ramses IX - The Tomb of King Ramesses IX was the third pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. His name before ascending the throne was Amonhirkhopshef. He was the fifth son of Ramesses III and was appointed crown prince by the twenty-second year of his father’s reign after all four of his elder brothers predeceased his promotion to crown prince.

The tomb is rich in color and detail, even the ceiling above the sarcophagus with its goddess Nut stretching across the space. The sarcophagus is one of the largest in the valley, and despite some deterioration of the paintings, it remains one of the most decorated.

Tomb of Merenptah - In Egyptian mythology, Ptah is the demiurge of Memphis, god of craftsmen and architects. In its falcon form, the new deity began to be placed in tombs to accompany and protect the dead on their journey to the West of Luxor. Tomb 8, located in the Valley of the Kings, was the burial place of Pharaoh Merneptah and serves as a model of royal tombs. Merneptah was a son of Ramesses II and Queen Isis-Nofret. The tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1903. There is a notable decrease in the number of lateral rooms and a dramatic increase in the height of the corridors and rooms. He eliminated the jogged axis used since Horemheb’s time and instead built the entire tomb on a single axis. Additionally, for the first time, the entrance was made considerably wider than earlier tombs.

Tomb of King Tutankhamun (Tut) - King Tutankhamun, the most famous king in the world, ascended the throne at around 10 years old and died at 19. Visitors will have the opportunity to see his royal mummy in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari - After visiting the tombs, guests will be transported to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el Bahari), the only woman to rule Egypt as Pharaoh. This queen was an ancestor of King Tutankhamun and belonged to the same dynasty.

Colossi of Memnon - The Colossi of Memnon, the two largest ancient statues in Egypt, date back to the era of King Amenhotep III.

Tombs of the Nobles - Tombs of the Nobles, Thebes, Al Asasif Egypt, pass by without stopping.

Howard Carter House - Howard Carter House, near the Valley of the Kings West Side, Luxor Egypt, pass by without stopping.

Ramesseum (Mortuary Temple of Ramses II) - Ramesseum (Mortuary Temple of Ramses II), West Bank, Luxor Egypt, pass by without stopping.

Tomb of Ramses VI - Tomb of Ramses VI, Valley of the Kings West Bank, Luxor Egypt, pass by without stopping.

Mummification Museum - Mummification Museum, Corniche El Nil St. Opposite Mina Palace Hotel, Luxor Egypt, pass by without stopping.

Valley of the Nobles - Valley of the Nobles, West Bank near Ramesseum Gurna, Luxor Egypt, pass by without stopping.

Temple of Amun - Temple of Amun, Temple of Karnak complex, Luxor Egypt, 2 hours.

Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak - Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak, Luxor Egypt, 10 minutes.

Luxor East Bank Karnak and Luxor Temples

Temple of Karnak - At Karnak, visitors will explore what is considered one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces, the Karnak Temple complex on Luxor’s East Bank. Karnak is a series of temples built over different reigns, starting with the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 gigantic columns, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, the Temple of Amon adorned with lotus and papyrus designs, the Granite Scarab of Amenophis III, and the Sacred Lake. Karnak surpasses all other pharaonic monuments: it is simply one of the most beautiful ancient monuments in Egypt.

Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak - At Karnak, visitors will explore what is considered one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces, the Karnak Temple complex on Luxor’s East Bank. Karnak is a series of temples built over different reigns, starting with the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 gigantic columns, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, the Temple of Amon adorned with lotus and papyrus designs, the Granite Scarab of Amenophis III, and the Sacred Lake. Karnak surpasses all other pharaonic monuments: it is simply one of the most beautiful ancient monuments in Egypt.

Obelisk of Thutmose I - Obelisk of Thutmose I

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

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

Luxor Temple - Luxor Temple, dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu. Visitors will see the granite statues of Ramses the Great. These ancient temples are essential for Luxor travelers.

Avenue of Sphinxes - Avenue of Sphinxes, a spectacular avenue stretching from Luxor to Karnak, a distance of 3 km. Today, it is only a few hundred meters long but remains very impressive. This avenue once connected the Karnak and Luxor temples, a six-mile avenue lined with sphinxes on both sides.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private tour
• Transport by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Qualified Egyptologist guide

• Tickets not included.
• Entrance fees
• Gratuities

This experience provides two half-day tours that explore the most renowned landmarks on both the East and West Banks of Luxor. Key attractions include the Valley of the Kings (Necropolis of Thebes), the remarkable Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the towering Colossi of Memnon, and the magnificent Karnak and Luxor Temples.

What makes this tour unique is the chance to take an optional hot air balloon ride before the tour begins, gliding over the ancient West Bank and the Valley of the Kings—an unforgettable way to view the necropolis from above (subject to weather conditions and additional cost).

Participants will be guided by a licensed Egyptologist and travel comfortably in a private air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring a rich, personalized, and stress-free experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.