Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourLuxor

Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon

The short answer

West Bank - Valley of kings, Hatshepsute Temple & Colossi of Memnon Day Tour is a 1-day guided excursion covering the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Photography
  • Archaeology & history
  • Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Best time to go

The best months are October to April, when daytime temperatures in Luxor are generally more comfortable for outdoor walking and tomb visits. In summer, especially June to August, the West Bank can be very hot by late morning, so earlier departures are preferable. During Ramadan and major holidays, some services may operate on adjusted schedules and monuments can be busier around local peak times.

02Overview

A first look

The Valley of the Kings holds 63 known tombs including Tutankhamun and Seti I; Tutankhamun's tomb requires a separate ticket. Deir el‑Bahari is Hatshepsut's terraced mortuary temple; the Colossi of Memnon are two roughly 18‑meter sandstone statues nearby.

Background

The facts

Luxor’s West Bank is the ancient necropolis of Thebes, used primarily during Egypt’s New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE). The area contains the Valley of the Kings, where royal tombs were cut into the limestone hills to conceal burials from tomb robbers, and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, built in terraces against the cliffs on the western edge of the Nile valley.

The Valley of the Kings contains dozens of tombs, but visitor access is rotated and not every tomb is open at the same time. This excursion includes entrance for three tombs, allowing comparison of burial chamber plans, painted religious texts, and wall scenes from different periods of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I are not included unless purchased separately on site.

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut was built for the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, who ruled in the 15th century BCE, and is known for its long colonnaded ramps and surviving reliefs. The Colossi of Memnon are two seated stone statues of Amenhotep III, originally guarding his mortuary temple complex. They stand on the West Bank plain, approximately 1 km from the remains of the temple precinct and are typically visited as a final stop because of their location near the route back to Luxor.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This excursion is suited to first-time visitors to Luxor, history-focused travelers, and adults or older children who want a structured introduction to New Kingdom burial practices. It also fits private-travel clients who prefer an Egyptologist-led visit with time for photography and interpretation at each monument.

What lingers

  • 01Private hotel pickup in central Luxor; 15-minute drive across the Nile to Luxor West Bank for beginning the tour.
  • 02As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we provide private transfers and an Egyptologist guide throughout the West Bank visit.
  • 03Standard site entrance fees included in the tour price; any optional supplements billed separately.
  • 04Valley of the Kings: entry to three standard tombs included; Tutankhamun and Seti I premiums excluded.
  • 05Our Egyptologist explains the terraces at Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, below steep cliffs.
  • 06Colossi of Memnon on Luxor West Bank: two 18-meter statues; unlike cruise stops, we allow ample photo time.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Egyptologist guide
  • Air-conditioned transport from pickup point and return
  • Entrance tickets for three tombs at the Valley of the Kings

Not included

  • Premium tomb entrances (for example Tutankhamun or Seti I)
  • Gratuities for guide and driver
  • Food and beverages unless stated at booking
  • Hotel pickup outside defined pickup zones, supplementary transfers

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What sites does the West Bank day tour visit?
    The tour visits the Valley of the Kings, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Visits usually follow a practical route to minimise extra walking; order may change for crowd control or Ramadan hours. We can adjust time at any site on private bookings.
  2. 02Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
    Standard site entrance fees are included; premium tombs and special interiors are not included. Premium-ticketed tombs include Tutankhamun and Seti I, and their tickets are purchased separately on-site or prebooked through us. Gratuities and personal purchases are excluded unless you request otherwise.
  3. 03Can I enter Tutankhamun's tomb on this tour?
    Entry to Tutankhamun's tomb is available but requires a separate premium ticket not included in the tour price. Daily quotas apply and the tomb can close for conservation; we strongly recommend prebooking the premium ticket through us to secure entry. Note the tomb has low passages and steep steps, which can be difficult for mobility-limited guests.
  4. 04How much walking and what are the access conditions?
    The visit involves uneven stone paving, steps, and low tunnels inside some tombs. Many tombs require descending steep steps and stooping through narrow corridors; Colossi of Memnon are on flat ground nearby. Wheelchairs cannot access most interiors; we can adapt the itinerary so the Egyptologist explains from the entrance.
  5. 05What should I bring and wear for the West Bank tour?
    Bring sun protection, a hat, at least one liter of water, comfortable closed shoes, and a light layer for changing temperatures. Temples and tombs require modest dress–shoulders and knees covered is advised for respect and easier access. Carry small change for toilets, souvenirs, and any optional premium tickets.
  6. 06What time does the tour start and where is pickup arranged?
    Typical departures begin between 7:00 and 8:00 AM with pickup from hotels on Luxor's East Bank. We recommend an early start to avoid heat and crowds; unlike group-bus excursions, we run private or small-group departures with our Egyptologists as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We can also tailor pickup times on request.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour

Last updated Product ID: EXC-LUX-893089

At a glance

Departs
Daily
Enquire

You Might Also Like

Esna and Edfu Temples Day Trip from LuxorLuxor

Esna and Edfu Temples Day Trip from Luxor

Visit two major temples south of Luxor with a private Egyptologist guide. The route links the Temple of Esna, dedicated to the creator god Khnum, with the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus. At Esna, the hypostyle hall is known for its carved columns and astronomical ceiling. Edfu is one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples, with inscriptions and reliefs across its walls. A private vehicle provides pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise, and lunch is served at a local restaurant. Unlike a group coach outing, this trip is arranged privately, so your guide can focus on the two temples at your pace.

From $112

Luxor Museum Half-Day TourLuxor

Luxor Museum Half-Day Tour

Luxor Museum displays artefacts from ancient Thebes, including objects from the New Kingdom and finds associated with the royal tombs. This private guided visit gives you time to view the collection with a licensed Egyptologist, who can explain the objects and their historical context. We arrange pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise, with a private vehicle and driver. Unlike a self-guided museum visit, this tour includes an Egyptologist to put the collection in context. The visit is focused on Luxor Museum, rather than combining it with other archaeological sites. Gratuities, personal expenses, drinks and lunch are not included.

From $57

Deir el-Medina and Tombs of the Nobles Half-Day TourLuxor

Deir el-Medina and Tombs of the Nobles Half-Day Tour

Explore two distinct parts of Luxor’s West Bank with a private Egyptologist guide. Deir el-Medina was the village of the workers who built and decorated royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The nearby Tombs of the Nobles are decorated burial places belonging to officials and other members of elite society in ancient Thebes. The contrast is the focus: one site preserves evidence of the workers’ community, while the other shows the tomb art and status of Theban nobles. Unlike a broad West Bank itinerary, this half-day visit concentrates on these two archaeological sites. A private vehicle provides pickup and drop-off at your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise.

From $55