Full-day tour: Luxor’s East and West Bank

Luxor was Thebes, the capital of ancient Egypt, and this day covers the best of it on both banks of the Nile.

On the West Bank you walk down into the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, climb the terraces of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple and stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Back on the East Bank, you cross the great hall of Karnak and end at Luxor Temple, built about 3,400 years ago.

Your guide is a professional Egyptologist who explains each site and answers your questions along the way. We pick you up from your hotel or Nile cruise in an air-conditioned car, and every entrance ticket is already paid, so you never queue for tickets.

Who the Luxor East and West Bank tour is for

This day suits travelers who have one full day in Luxor and want to see the essentials of ancient Thebes on both sides of the Nile. In about 8 hours you visit five sites, from the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings to the great hall of Karnak, without planning tickets or transport yourself.

What makes it special is the pace and the guide. Your Egyptologist explains how the West Bank served the dead and the East Bank the living gods, a story you can read more about in UNESCO’s Ancient Thebes listing. Hotel or Nile cruise pickup keeps the day simple.

Wear comfortable shoes for the slopes and steps in the Valley of the Kings, and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, since much of the day is outdoors. Mornings on the West Bank are usually cooler. Carry some small change for tips.