One day, two sides of Luxor. This full-day private tour is a fast, organized way to see Luxor’s West Bank heavyweights and then cross over for the East Bank highlights, with a qualified Egyptologist guide and lunch at a local restaurant already built in. You’ll cover the big names without juggling tickets, transfers, or timing on your own.

The only real catch is that entrance fees are mostly on you. Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Karnak, and Luxor Temple are not included, and even the famous KV62 entry for Tutankhamun is pay-on-site.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• 7:30 AM pickup in Luxor from your hotel or Nile cruise, then private A/C transfer to the West Bank
• Valley of the Kings time block gives you about 1 hour 30 minutes, focused on major royal tombs
• Deir el Bahari and Queen Hatshepsut takes about 1 hour, with the story of Egypt’s pharaoh-woman
• KV62 visit, but not included entry (you can pay yourself, with student offers mentioned)
• Quick Colossi of Memnon stop lasts about 15 minutes, with admission listed as free
• Karnak Temple plus Luxor Temple finishes the day with roughly 3 hours total on the East Bank

Why This Luxor East and West Banks Day Works

If you only have limited time in Luxor, this kind of day tour is the practical answer. You get both banks in one organized run, so you can hit the names you came for without spending your daylight figuring out logistics.

I also like that you’re not left to “figure it out” between sites. A qualified Egyptologist guide helps you connect the dots as you move from the royal burial landscape of the West Bank to the East Bank centers of worship. Then lunch is folded into the flow, so the day feels like one plan instead of five separate errands.

The pricing also makes the tour feel doable for a lot of budgets. At $30 per person, what you are really buying is a full-day structure, private transfers, and an expert guide, while the major site entry fees are handled separately.

7:30 AM Pickup and Private A/C Transport Around Luxor

The day begins with pickup at 7:30am from your hotel or your Nile Cruise in Luxor. That matters because it protects your schedule. In Luxor, travel time between banks is part of the day, so being on the road early helps you get more time at each monument.

You’re transferred by a private A/C vehicle (described as the newest model) and the tour includes drop-off anywhere in Luxor. That “start where you are, end where you want” approach is especially useful for cruise goers who need a predictable return.

In the feedback you can see a pattern of people liking how the driver keeps things smooth and calm. Names like Oscar, Salah, and Ahmed show up in the experience notes, with mentions of good English, safe driving, and correct pricing. You’re not just paying for seats, you’re paying for day-long coordination.

Valley of the Kings Stop: The Royal Tombs You Came For

On the West Bank, the tour’s first major stop is the Valley of the Kings, where multiple pharaohs were buried. You’ll visit the tombs associated with Tutmosis I, Tutmosis III, Tut-Ankh-Amon, Ramssess VI, Mrenptah, and Amonhotep II.

You get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is a solid amount for seeing key areas without feeling rushed to the next doorway every ten minutes. Also, since this is the “where the kings are” stop, it helps to have an Egyptologist guide with you. The guide can explain why these names matter and how the royal burials fit together across dynasties.

Important: admission ticket is not included for this stop. So plan to budget separately for entry. If you want photos, remember that tomb entrances can involve some waiting and queuing depending on the day.

Deir el Bahari and Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple

Next comes the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, with about 1 hour allotted. Hatshepsut is presented here as the only pharaonic woman who reigned ancient Egypt, and that framing helps you understand why this temple is more than a pretty ruin.

This stop is also a good pacing reset. After the more intense royal burial story of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple gives you time to absorb a different kind of monument, one tied to power, legacy, and state building.

Like the other major sites, admission is not included. So if you’re trying to manage total spend, this is one of the first fees to account for when you plan your day.

KV62 and Tutankhamun: The Visit Is Included, Entry Is Not

The tour includes a stop at the Tomb of King Tutankhamun (Tut), also known as KV62. You’ll get around 1 hour here, with the focus on the tomb’s layout: four chambers and an entrance staircase and corridor.

Here’s the key detail: entry inside the tomb of Tutankhamun is not included. You can pay it yourself at the site, and the tour info notes that students may have special offers.

This is one reason the tour works well for different travel styles. If you really want that inside-the-tomb experience, you can choose to pay. If you’d rather keep your time and spend under control, you can still see the tomb stop area and learn the significance without forcing a pricey add-on.

One practical note: pay-on-site fees can be easier if you come prepared. Have enough cash or payment ready so you don’t lose time while everyone else is moving on.

Colossi of Memnon: A Quick, Free Admission Photo Break

Then you roll to the Colossi of Memnon, with about 15 minutes at the stop. These are the huge twin statues made from blocks of quartzite sandstone, and they’re an instant visual hit if you like monumental scale.

The tour lists admission as free for this stop, which is nice because it reduces the number of extra tickets you’ll need for the day. The short time also makes sense in the overall schedule: you’re getting the iconic West Bank image without spending your whole afternoon on a single location.

Think of this as your legs-moving moment before the next phase. If you’re pacing yourself, this is where you can hydrate and reset your energy.

Lunch Near Karnak: One Hour to Recharge

After the West Bank stops, you’re scheduled for lunch at a local restaurant, with about 1 hour allocated. The information also states that drinks are extra, so you’ll want to budget accordingly if you plan to order beverages.

In at least one reported lunch stop tied to this day, Marsam Restaurant comes up in people’s positive comments for good food. You should still treat that as a possibility, not a guarantee for every booking, but it’s a helpful clue that the lunch location tends to land well with many people.

I like that lunch is included in the flow rather than “find something yourself.” In a place like Luxor, where you want to keep your momentum across sites, having lunch timed in makes the day feel smoother.

Karnak Temple: The East Bank’s Big Worship Site

Next is Karnak Temple, with about 2 hours scheduled. This is described as the greatest example of worship in the history of Luxor, and that single phrase points to why people build full itineraries around Karnak.

The time here is long enough to do more than just a quick walk-by. With an Egyptologist guide in the mix, you’ll get help understanding what you’re looking at and why Karnak is so central to Luxor’s identity.

Again, admission is not included. So if you’re budgeting, Karnak is one of the major paid entries you should plan for.

Luxor Temple Finish: Two Pharaohs, One Evening Wind-Down

To close the day, the tour visits Luxor Temple, with about 1 hour to explore. It’s described as being built by two Pharaohs in different dynasties, which is a nice detail because it hints that the site layers multiple periods of rule and religious meaning.

This is a good way to end the day after Karnak. Karnak is the heavy center of East Bank worship, while Luxor Temple feels like a final chapter that keeps the momentum without demanding another multi-hour block.

As with other main stops, admission is not included. But since it’s the last item, you can often settle your day knowing the schedule ends cleanly.

How Long This Day Feels, and What to Budget

The overall duration is listed as about 6 to 8 hours. With a 7:30am pickup, that means you’ll likely be back later in the day, which is ideal when you’re trying to fit Luxor’s best hits between travel days or cruise schedules.

What I’d plan for most carefully is cost planning. The tour price is $30 per person, and that covers the big structure elements: private A/C transfers, pickup and drop-off across Luxor, and an Egyptologist guide. But entrance fees are not included for several top sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, the Tutankhamun tomb entry itself, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple.

You can also see a couple of helpful offsets. The Colossi of Memnon stop lists free admission, and lunch is built into the day (with drinks extra). If you do one add-on ticket, KV62 entry for Tutankhamun is the one to think about first.

Also, because this is a private tour with only your group, it’s easier to pace yourself. You can spend the extra minute or two at a doorway without feeling rushed by a bigger crowd.

The Human Part: Guides and Drivers That People Keep Naming

This tour leans hard on the value of the guide. The experience is set up for you to get more meaning out of what you’re seeing, not just move from one ticket line to another.

Names that come up repeatedly include Egyptologist guides like Nabil Reda, Abdul Amer, and Ahmed Abdul Fattah. Drivers and organizers mentioned include Oscar, Salah (also called Oscar), and Ahmed. People highlight that the day feels safe and cared for, and that the guide explanations hit the right balance: enough detail to understand, without dragging the day.

One practical perk that shows up in the feedback is how drivers handle small decisions. For example, people mention getting good recommendations for food and other activities. If you like having someone who can guide your next steps while staying out of your way, this tour fits that vibe.

Who Should Book This Private Luxor Day

This is best for you if:

• You have limited time in Luxor and want both banks in one go
• You’re a first timer who wants the main names, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Karnak, and Luxor Temple
• You value a private schedule with pickup and drop-off built in
• You want an Egyptologist guide included rather than doing everything on your own

It also fits cruise schedules because pickup and drop-off in Luxor are part of the plan. If you’re a student, the info about special offers for Tutankhamun tomb entry is worth paying attention to when you decide whether to add the KV62 fee.

If you hate ticket math, do your homework before you commit. You will still pay several site entries during the day, so go in knowing it’s not a one-price-walk-in situation.

Should You Book This Luxor East and West Banks Tour?

Book it if you want a clean, efficient day that hits the core monuments with private A/C transport, 7:30am pickup, an Egyptologist guide, and lunch handled for you. At $30 per person, you’re getting strong value for the structure, especially when entrance fees are not included.

Skip or rethink if you’re trying to keep all-in costs as low as possible, since multiple major sites require separate entry fees, and KV62 entry is specifically not included. Also consider whether your pace matches a full-day schedule, because this is a lot of stops in one day.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether you’re coming from a Nile Cruise or a hotel. I can help you plan what to budget for the paid entries, based on your priorities.

FAQ

What time is the pickup for this Luxor tour?

Pickup is at 7:30am from your hotel or Nile Cruise in Luxor.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. This is described as a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is listed as 6 to 8 hours approximately.

What does the price include?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off anywhere in Luxor, all transfers by private A/C vehicle, and a qualified Egyptologist guide.

Is lunch included?

Lunch at a local restaurant is mentioned as included with the full-day tour, and the tour info also lists Lunch (optional). Drinks are noted as extra.

Are entrance tickets included for all sites?

No. Admission tickets are specifically listed as not included for multiple stops, and the tour also notes you can pay separately for the entrance inside the Tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Does the tour include entry inside the Tutankhamun tomb?

No. The tour includes a stop at the Tomb of King Tutankhamun (KV62), but entry inside is not included. You can pay it yourself.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.