Luxor West Bank and Valley of the Kings Tour

Your Egyptologist guide will collect you from your Luxor hotel or cruise ship at a time of your choosing between 7 and 9am. This is a private tour, so how long you spend at each of the sites on the itinerary is entirely up to you.

Cross the Nile River to the West Bank, the city of the dead for the ancient city of Thebes, known as Luxor today. It's a scenic, 45-minute drive through lush crop fields and desolate sandstone mountains to your first stop, the Valley of the Kings. Along the way, your guide will point out the simple house where Howard Carter lived during his search for Tutankhamun's tomb.

This desolate sandstone valley is where the kings of Thebes were buried. After you pay the entrance fee and take a quick look at the visitor's center, your guide will escort you to three richly decorated tombs: guides are not allowed inside the tombs, but he will tell you each mausoleum's story and what to look for. Should you wish to visit the Tomb of King Tutankhamun, an additional fee is payable.

Leaving the hot sands of the Valley of the Kings, it's a 10-minute drive to the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most striking monuments in Egypt. Your guide will explain the history of the temple and the story of Queen Hatshepsut, the famous female ruler of Egypt who posed as a male to enhance her power. Feel free to wander the vast colonnades and admire the intricate hieroglyphic decorations.

As you drive back towards the East Bank, enjoy a quick photo stop at the mighty Colossi of Memnon. These two giant statues mark the site of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III.

Should you wish, your guide will be happy to escort you to an authentic alabaster factory. You can see how this famous local product is made and purchase genuine alabaster souvenirs.

Once your tour is complete, your driver will return you to your hotel or cruise ship.