REVIEW · LUXOR WEST BANK TEMPLES & TOMBS
Amazing Luxor: Valley of the Kings – Hatshepsut Temple – Colossi of Memnon
Three monuments, one West Bank story.
This private Luxor tour strings together Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon into one efficient 4 to 5 hour outing. I like how it includes guided time designed to help the places click, including descending into 3 Royal Tombs rather than just driving past them. I also like the pacing at Hatshepsut, with time to wander and take in the rock-cut murals.
There is one key consideration: admission tickets are not included unless your selected price option adds them. The Valley of the Kings entrance ticket covers 3 tombs, but the tombs of Tutankhamen and Seti I need separate tickets, so plan ahead if those are must-sees. Another small plus, based on guide performance, is that the company’s English-speaking Egyptologists can adapt the visit for kids, including a guide named Mohammed who was specifically praised for adjusting the tour for a 4-year-old.
Key highlights at a glance
- 3 Royal Tombs in the Valley of the Kings, included with the main entrance ticket
- Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, known for its impressive murals and reliefs
- A stop for Colossi of Memnon with a quick photo moment at two giant statues
- Private air-conditioned transportation and pickup, when that option is selected
- Mobile ticket plus a private group setup, so it is not a cattle-call day
In This Review
- Luxor West Bank, timed for maximum impact in 4 to 5 hours
- Deir el-Bahari and Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple
- Valley of the Kings, descending into 3 Royal Tombs
- Colossi of Memnon photos, a 30 minute capstone
- Price and logistics: what you are really paying for
- Who should book this private West Bank route?
- Should you book Amazing Luxor for Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut?
Luxor West Bank, timed for maximum impact in 4 to 5 hours
This is a classic West Bank mix: the religious power of Hatshepsut, the royal afterlife world of the Valley of the Kings, and then the big-photo finale at the Colossi of Memnon. What makes it feel good as a half-day is that you do not have to piece together a day of separate taxis, separate queues, and separate guides. Your itinerary follows a logical route on Luxor’s west side, moving from temple to tombs to statues.
The tour is priced per person starting around $19, but the exact value depends on your chosen inclusions. Some options add private air-conditioned transportation, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, and sightseeing tickets. Other options may keep those items separate. Either way, it is structured as a private experience, so only your group participates, which is a big quality-of-life upgrade compared with joining a random crowd.
Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation are offered, which matters because Luxor’s West Bank sites are not a single walkable loop. If you select the transportation option, you get air-conditioned private transport, a welcome detail in Egypt’s heat. Add in the mobile ticket, and you are set up for a smoother start than figuring out paperwork on the spot.
One more practical note: the experience requires good weather. If it is canceled for poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is worth paying attention to when you are planning a tight itinerary.
Other tomb tickets in the valley
- Hurghada: Luxor Valley of the Kings & Tutankhamun Tomb Trip★ 4.7 · 13,208 reviews
- Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada Small Group & Tutankhamun Tomb★ 4.8 · 5,366 reviews
- Luxor Day Tour: Valley of Kings & Queens & Hatchepsut Temples★ 5.0 · 1,496 reviews
- Luxor: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour★ 4.4 · 1,404 reviews
Deir el-Bahari and Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple
Your first major stop is the rock-hewn mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. This is not a quick photo stop. The plan gives you about an hour here, and that hour is built around two types of viewing: guided interpretation and your own wandering time.
If you care about context, Hatshepsut is a fascinating figure to meet through her own temple. After the death of her husband, Thutmose II, she took the reign as either co-regent with or self-proclaimed Pharaoh instead of Thutmose III. The temple is a public statement of her rule, including her accomplishments as a strong ruler who re-established trade routes with foreign countries. You will have the chance to focus on some of the most beautiful murals, so you are not just looking at stone. You are reading messages carved into the walls.
Why this stop is such good value on a half-day: it gives you a change of pace after tombs. Temples and tombs can feel similar if you do too many back-to-back, but Hatshepsut’s temple is more open and designed for narrative. The murals help you see the place as a record of power, not just an archaeological site.
The one drawback is the ticket detail. Admission for this stop is not included in the base information, unless your selected price plan adds it. So you may want to confirm what you are paying for before you arrive. Also, plan your time well: an hour can go quickly once you start reading the scenes closely.
Valley of the Kings, descending into 3 Royal Tombs

Then comes the highlight most people remember: the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor. This is the ancient necropolis of Thebes, where dozens of tombs have been found over time, ranging from a one chamber crypt (KV54) to tombs with much more complex layouts (up to KV5). The big promise here is direct: you will descend into 3 Royal Tombs.
That matters. If you only visit the entrance area, you miss the whole point. With this tour, you get time inside three tombs, which is the portion that makes the Valley of the Kings feel real. It also means you have a guided structure for where to spend your attention, rather than trying to decide everything on the fly.
Important reality check for ticketing: the included entrance ticket allows 3 tomb visits, but the tombs of Tutankhamen and Seti I require separate tickets. Those tickets are not included. If Tutankhamen or Seti I are on your personal top list, budget extra and plan to secure those separately. It is also a smart strategy to decide in advance what you would feel satisfied with, since you will be limited to the 3 tombs included with the entrance ticket.
Timing is another practical factor. You get about 2 hours for this stop. That is enough to see three tombs without turning it into a sprint, but you still want to keep your energy. Tomb time adds up because it is not just walking, it is moving through spaces and taking in details before you head to the next doorway.
One more useful point: the tour is described as visiting the old necropolis of ancient Thebes on the West Bank of Luxor. If you think of this day as a story, that framing helps. The valley is not a single monument, it is a whole system of royal tombs and tomb numbers. You are seeing part of that system up close, not just a single highlight.
Colossi of Memnon photos, a 30 minute capstone
To close the trip, you stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two immense statues guarding the ongoing excavation of the palace of Amenophis III. This stop is short, about 30 minutes, but it has a perfect job: a quick reset between the enclosed world of tombs and the open sky outside.
These statues are likenesses of Pharaoh Amenophis III. That royal identity matters because you are not just seeing two big figures. You are seeing a pair that represents power, presence, and a connection to a larger palace complex currently being excavated.
You also get a fun myth layer that makes the stop more than just a background photo. Memnon was said to be a hero of the Trojan wars, the son of Eos, goddess of the dawn. And after an earthquake in 27 BC, one statue was damaged and later described as whistling or singing at dawn. Even if you treat that as legend, it explains why the place has attracted attention for centuries.
Admission here is free according to the provided info, so it is a good final stop with minimal extra costs. If your day feels heavy after tombs, this is the moment where you can let the visuals do the work.
Price and logistics: what you are really paying for
At $19 per person, this sounds like a bargain, but Luxor tours often work like clothing sizes: the base price can fit, but the details depend on what options you select. In this case, several price plans exist, depending on inclusions and the pickup city.
Here is what the tour includes when those options are selected:
- Private air-conditioned transportation (if selected)
- All fees and taxes
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide (if selected)
- Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation
- Sightseeing tickets or admission fees (if selected)
What is not included:
- Tips, meals, beverages, and personal spending
- Tickets to separate tombs like Tutankhamen, Seti I, and Ramses V/VI
- Tickets for places like Hatshepsut Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs, unless your selected option includes them
So the value equation is simple. If you want the least hassle and you like being guided inside tombs and interpreting the murals, you will likely want an option that includes the guide and admission tickets. If you are comfortable handling tickets yourself, you can choose a lower-inclusion plan and still enjoy the core structure of the day.
Also note: pickup is offered, and the tour uses a private setup with your group only. If you are traveling with family or want less waiting time, private can be worth paying for even when the base listing looks low.
One more practical detail: cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and cut-off times are based on local time. Since weather can affect the experience, it is smart to plan with some flexibility and not lock all your Luxor days on the same hour.
West bank tombs, one by one
Who should book this private West Bank route?
This tour fits best if you want a tight, meaningful West Bank day without turning it into a logistics project. I especially think it works for:
- Families who need a guide who can adjust pacing. One example from guide performance is Mohammed, praised for adapting the visit for a 4-year-old.
- First-time Luxor visitors who want three iconic sites without hopping between companies.
- Anyone who cares about understanding what they are seeing, not just collecting stamps at monuments.
- Travelers who want private pickup and drop-off rather than relying on public transport.
It might be less ideal if you already know you only want Tutankhamen and Seti I, because those tombs need separate tickets that are not included. It also may not be ideal if you dislike planning around admission costs, since Hatshepsut’s temple and the Valley of the Kings require ticket planning unless your option includes them.
Should you book Amazing Luxor for Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut?
If you want a half-day that hits the West Bank’s three most memorable themes, I think it is an easy yes. The structure is sensible: Hatshepsut first for context and murals, Valley of the Kings next for the real tomb experience, then Colossi of Memnon as a quick, memorable finale. The private setup, English-speaking Egyptologist guide option, and pickup make it feel smooth, not stressful.
Before you book, do two quick checks:
- Confirm whether your selected price option includes admission tickets for Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, since those details are key to your total cost.
- If Tutankhamen or Seti I are non-negotiable for you, plan for separate tickets since they are not included.
With those points handled, this is a strong way to see Luxor’s West Bank in one go, with enough time to actually look, not just rush through.
The West Bank, Tomb by Tomb
Down Into the Kings Valley
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