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Egypt · Day Tour

Luxor Day Tour to the East and West banks

Duration
8 hours
Tour type
Private, your party only
Guide language
English · more on request
About this tour

About Luxor Day Tour to the East and West banks

Experience the best of Luxor in a single day with the Luxor Day Tour to the East and West Banks, a journey through the heart of ancient Egypt. Begin on the East Bank, exploring the magnificent Karnak Temple, with its vast halls, towering columns, and detailed hieroglyphs, followed by the stunning Luxor Temple, known for its elegant architecture and historical significance.

Cross the Nile to the West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings reveals the tombs of Egypt’s legendary pharaohs, each decorated with intricate art and inscriptions. Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, a unique architectural masterpiece honoring Egypt’s famed female ruler, and see the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that have stood for thousands of years.

This full-day tour provides a seamless blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, with expert guidance ensuring you gain deep insights into ancient Egyptian civilization. Perfect for travelers who want to see Luxor’s highlights efficiently, this tour offers a memorable and immersive experience of the city’s timeless treasures. From monumental temples to royal tombs, every stop on this journey tells the story of Egypt’s extraordinary past.

The programme

Day by day

01 Luxor Day Tour to the East and West banks

After a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, you will start your wonderful Luxor Day Tour to the East and West Banks by meeting your private Egyptologist guide in a private, air‑conditioned vehicle and driving across to explore the following:

Valley of the Kings

You begin on the West Bank, stepping into the silent vastness of the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of Egypt’s New Kingdom crafted their eternal homes in the bedrock cliffs. Your guide leads you through richly painted tombs, their hieroglyphs and vivid wall scenes whispering stories of the afterlife — from royal funerary rituals to mythic paradises. The cool stillness inside contrasts with the desert glare outside, creating a powerful sense of entering another world.

Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el‑Bahari)

Next, you visit the stunning mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, clinging gracefully to the cliff face at Deir el‑Bahari. The temple’s terraced design feels like an architectural echo of the surrounding rock, its colonnaded levels rising in harmony with the mountain behind. Your guide points out the reliefs that celebrate Hatshepsut’s divine birth and her expedition to the land of Punt, and you can almost feel the calm dignity of her reign in the breeze that drifts across the terraces.

Colossi of Memnon

A short drive brings you to the two towering Colossi of Memnon. These monumental seated statues, carved from quartzite, represent Amenhotep III and have stood guard for over 3,400 years.

Their massive forms cast long shadows over the West Bank sands, and your guide tells the tale of how in ancient times one of the statues was said to “sing” at dawn — a phenomenon that fascinated Greek and Roman visitors alike.

Lunch

After these dramatic West Bank visits, you’ll take a break at a charming local restaurant or café, where you’ll enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of traditional Egyptian cuisine.

Karnak Temple Complex

Refueled and refreshed, you cross back to the East Bank to explore the majestic Karnak Temple complex, one of the greatest religious sites ever built. Walking among its towering pylons and the Great Hypostyle Hall, you feel dwarfed by 134 massive columns carved into papyrus shapes — some rising more than 20 meters high.

Your guide explains how centuries of pharaohs added to this sacred site, and you admire the richly carved reliefs and the serene reflection of the sacred lake where priests once purified themselves.

Luxor Temple

Your final stop is the elegant Luxor Temple, perched amid the buzz of modern Luxor yet steeped in timeless history. Built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, it was central to the Opet Festival and dedicated to the Theban triad: Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

Amid its graceful colonnades, statues of Ramesses II, and the mosque of Abu Haggag nestled in its heart, the temple radiates spiritual continuity across eras.

After these fruitful visits, we will return you to your accommodation in the same private, air‑conditioned vehicle, leaving you to relax and reflect on an unforgettable journey through Luxor’s ancient past.

Meals: Lunch

The quote

What's in the price, and what isn't

Included

  • Pick up services from hotel & return
  • All Transfers by a private A/C vehicle.
  • Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary.
  • Traditional Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Bottled water during the visits.
  • All service charges and taxes.

Not included

  • Entry Visa to Egypt
  • Any Optional tours.
  • All personal Expenses.
  • Tipping (Recommend).
Questions we get on this tour

Asked and answered

How much will it cost to tour Egypt?

The cost of touring Egypt depends on the type of experience you want. Budget travelers can spend as little as $50 to $100 per day, while luxury tours may range between $200 and $400 daily. At Egy Vacations, we offer customized packages, starting from affordable group tours to exclusive private adventures.

Is it safe to tour Egypt now?

Yes, Egypt is safe to visit! The government prioritizes the safety of tourists, and popular areas such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts are secure and welcoming. With Egy Vacations, we ensure a smooth and worry-free experience from the moment you arrive.

How many days do you need to tour Egypt?

For a comprehensive experience, 7 to 10 days is ideal. This allows you to explore Cairo, the Pyramids, Luxor, and Aswan, and even enjoy some relaxation by the Red Sea. Shorter itineraries of 3–5 days can also cover key highlights, perfect for travelers with limited time.

Which month is best to visit Egypt?

The best time to visit Egypt is during the cooler months, from October to April. This period offers pleasant weather, perfect for sightseeing at the Pyramids and the ancient temples of Upper Egypt.

Is Egypt safe for female tourists?

Absolutely. Female tourists will find Egypt to be safe, especially if they respect local customs and dress modestly in more conservative areas. Joining guided tours like those offered by Egy Vacations adds an extra layer of safety and convenience.

Is Egypt cheap or expensive?

Egypt is generally affordable, especially compared to many other popular tourist destinations. While luxury experiences and accommodations can be costly, local food, transportation, and sightseeing are budget-friendly. At Egy Vacations, we aim to deliver unforgettable experiences within your budget.

Why book with us

Licensed, local, andone WhatsApp away.

We are not a marketplace reselling someone else's tours. The consultant who plans your itinerary is the same person who answers when you message from Luxor at midnight.

Licensed tour operator

Registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, licence no. 1995 — a number you can check before you pay anyone anything.

Our own guides

Licensed Egyptologists lead every excursion, named in your confirmation, working for us rather than for a subcontractor.

Private by default

No group fillers and no shopping stops. Your party, your pace, and a day that can be rewritten the night before.

One itemised price

Entrance fees, transfers, taxes and internal flights sit inside the quote. Nothing is added at the temple gate.

Nothing to pay to enquire

A full day-by-day itinerary costs you nothing, and a 30% deposit is the first money that changes hands.

24/7 while you travel

One number, answered in Egypt, for the whole trip — not a call centre in another time zone.

Real travellers

5.0 on TripAdvisor,4.9 on Google.

Every quote is a real one, posted under the traveller's own name.

Ruth B Solo traveller · posted on TripAdvisor

What a great team!

They helped me plan my day and arranged for an Egyptologist and driver to take me to all these places.

Lethabo Nelwamondo Couple · posted on Google

Had a great time

Thanks to well organised sightseeing and tour guide Ahmed who was professional and pleasant.

iwanna v Couple · posted on TripAdvisor

It was the best choice ever

We trusted EgyVacations for our trip to Egypt… They made our trip anxiety free, they solve every problem from our arrival to the airport till our departure.

How to book

Four steps, andno online checkout anywhere.

You talk to a travel consultant, they build your trip, and you only confirm when the itinerary is right.

  1. Tell us your dates

    Your travel month, group size and what you'd like to see. Two minutes on the form, or a message on WhatsApp.

  2. Get an itinerary and quote

    A consultant writes your day-by-day plan with hotels, guides and transfers, priced in your currency. Free, and yours to keep.

  3. Confirm when it's right

    Adjust it as many times as you like. Nothing is booked and nothing is charged until you say the itinerary is right.

  4. Travel with support

    You're met at the airport, and your consultant stays reachable 24/7 for the whole trip — the same person, not a call centre.

Ready when you are — the first step takes two minutes.

Plan your trip
Good to know

Travel tips from the peoplewho run the trips.

Pick a question on the left. We answer it the way we would answer it on the phone — with the numbers, and with what we would actually do.

Travellers inside one of Egypt’s ancient temples

When to go

The comfortable half of the year runs October to April: 20–28 °C in Luxor and Aswan, which is what open-deck sailing and three hours inside a temple actually require.

Daytime20–28 °C
CrowdsPeak Nov–Feb
PricesHighest Dec–Jan
  • March and April keep the weather and lose the crowds — the best value window.
  • June to August is much cheaper, but afternoons pass 42 °C and excursions run at dawn.
  • Christmas and New Year need a 50% deposit, because the cruisers ask us for one too.

Our tip

Book three to four months out for November to February. For a dahabiya, make it four — they carry twelve people and the good cabins go first.