Luxor West Bank Historical Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the Valley of the Kings
- Discover the Temple of Hatshepsut
- Visit the Colossi of Memnon
- Learn about ancient Egyptian history
- Enjoy a comfortable hotel pickup and drop-off
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Valley of the Kings
- Visit to Temple of Hatshepsut
- Transportation to and from hotel
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
At first glance, the Valley of the Kings, also known as the Valley of the Gates of the Kings, seems like no more than a sun-blasted gorge of generic red rock, but underneath all of its dust lay the tombs of 63 of the most important pharaohs in the history of Ancient Egypt. Used as a burial chamber for nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, Discovered by Howards Carter in an excavation expedition in 1922, one of the most important tombs found in the Valley of the Kings is the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and all of his treasures. The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor. It is the most famous site for having unique collections of tombs and breathtaking ancient ruins.
In terms of visual impact from afar, there is no rival to Hatshepsut’s Temples. The unique multi-tiered structure nestled up against the limestone cliffs at the shoulder of the river valley is a truly stunning sight. The uniqueness of its layout mirrors that of the pharaoh responsible for building it. Hatshepsut was the only female pharaoh in the history of Ancient Egypt. She came to power during the New Kingdom after the death of her father, Tuthmose I, and her half-brother and husband, Tuthmose II, who succeeded her father on the throne.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in English; other languages may be available upon request.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Photography is allowed in most areas; however, some sites may have restrictions.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler reviews
Luxor sightseeing
Abdul Wannan of Memphis Tours was our guide for tours on the east and West Bank in Luxor. He did a great job and we enjoyed the two days we spent with him. He was very knowledgeable of Egyptian history and did a great job of teaching us. Would definitely recommend him for any tour in Egypt.
Very happy with the tours we received
Thank you to our guide, Abdalla Hashem for your detailed explanations about the Valley of Kings and surrounding area. And thank you also to our driver, Abdellah mohamed, for bringing us to the various sites and offering us water.
Memphis tours are the go to guides
Going to the West Bank is a must, it can get busy but that’s the same of all the locations. Having a good tour guide is essential to arrange everything making the whole journey seamless. Great communication in the lead up to confirm collection times and location, all tickets bought in advance (except for any extras that you may want, but they support buying these too), comfortable transport and provisions along the way. Lead straight to the best areas with great explanation of the history and interesting facts. I’ve used Memphis tours a number of times now and all have been a great experience.
Would highly recommend!
We would highly recommend a tour around Luxor and Aswan with Memphis tours. We stayed on the Amwaj cruise ship. Our tour guide was Hany, he was very knowledgeable about the history of Egypt and made sure our trip went smoothly and we were able to visit all the attractions before the crowds. Hany also had a great sense of humour and was always accommodating and recommended the best options for the tour. Overall we had a fantastic time and would recommend Hany as a tour guide for Egypt. Note: Ensure you have enough cash for tipping, if not there are ATMs where you can withdraw money.
Loving Luxor
Touring the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple is a must when you’re in Luxor. We used Memphis Tours and our guide was LT. LT did a wonderful job showing us the sights and made us feel so comfortable. He knows his history and was able to answer any question that we had. We did three tombs at Valley of the Kings, and added on Rameses 5 and 6’s tomb. Even though it’s an additional cost, it is definitely worth it. These tombs are immaculate, even after thousands of years! For Hatshepsut’s Temple, much of it was destroyed but they have restored enough to still be blown away by the architecture and design. For our tour, LT gave us the option to go to an Egyptian alabaster shop, which we said yes to. It is a beautiful place but you may feel pressured into buying something. We had to do some bartering so if that’s not your thing, just pass on the shop! Overall- Memphis Tours was awesome!