Private Luxor Day Tours East and West Bank

Luxor holds more of ancient Egypt than any other city: the temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank, and the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut on the West Bank. Our Luxor day tours are private, with your own English-speaking guide and an air-conditioned car for your party only, so you can start early, avoid the busiest hours and spend your time where it interests you most.

This page compares our Luxor tours and their prices, explains how to split the East and West Banks, and covers the trips further afield: a sunrise balloon flight, Dendera and Abydos, and Karnak by night.

Our Private Luxor Day Tours and Prices

Prices are per person and fall as more of you share the guide and the car.

Luxor East and West Bank in One Day

If you have a single day in Luxor, the East and West Banks tour covers the four essential sites. Because the tour is private, the order can suit you: many guests prefer to reach the Valley of the Kings early in the morning, when it is cooler and quieter, and see Karnak and Luxor Temple later in the day. It is a full day, but a private guide can keep the pace comfortable.

The Valley of the Kings and the West Bank

The West Bank was the city of the dead. The West Bank tour visits the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in painted tombs cut into the rock, and the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut beneath the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Two practical points: guides explain each tomb outside the entrance rather than inside, and a few tombs, including Tutankhamun’s, need a separate ticket. Nearby sites such as the Valley of the Queens and Medinet Habu can be added.

Karnak and Luxor Temple

Karnak is the largest temple complex in Egypt, built and extended over some two thousand years, with the forest of columns in its Great Hypostyle Hall. A short drive south, Luxor Temple sits in the middle of the modern town and is at its best in the late afternoon and after dark. The Luxor and Karnak Temples tour is the most affordable way to see both with your own guide.

A Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight

The balloon flight lifts off from the West Bank at dawn and drifts over the fields, the river and the temples as the sun comes up. It is an early start, with pick-up before sunrise, and flights depend on the weather on the day. It fits easily before a day of sightseeing.

Dendera and Abydos: A Day Trip From Luxor

North of Luxor, two temples reward the drive. At Dendera, the Temple of Hathor keeps much of its painted ceiling, and at Abydos the Temple of Seti I has some of the finest carved reliefs in Egypt. Our Dendera and Abydos tour visits both in a full day, and is a good choice for a second or third day in Luxor.

Karnak by Night

The Sound and Light Show at Karnak leads you through the lit courts and halls of the temple as the history of ancient Thebes is told. It makes an easy evening after a day on the West Bank.

How Many Days Do You Need in Luxor?

• One day. The East and West Banks tour.
• Two days. The West Bank one day and the East Bank the next, with a balloon flight and the Karnak show.
• Three days. Add Dendera and Abydos, or the Valley of the Queens and Medinet Habu.

For hotels, see our guide on where to stay in Luxor, and our Luxor travel guide covers the city.

Luxor Tours From a Nile Cruise

If you are on a Nile cruise, the main Luxor sites are usually part of the cruise itinerary. Our day tours are useful for the days before or after the cruise, for travelers on a dahabiya, which starts in Esna, and for extras such as the balloon flight or Dendera and Abydos. See our Nile cruises page for the cruises themselves.

What Is Included in Our Luxor Tours

• All transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Private sightseeing as listed on the tour page
• An English-speaking guide for your party only
• Service charges and taxes

Good to know

• Entrance tickets are not listed in the published inclusions, so confirm with us when you book
• Special tomb tickets, such as Tutankhamun’s tomb, are extra
• Tips for your guide and driver

Why Book Your Luxor Tours With Delta Tours Egypt

We are a family-run operator based in Cairo and have been arranging travel in Egypt since 1974. Our Luxor tours run every day, the guide and car are yours alone, and our team is on WhatsApp throughout your stay. For the rest of your trip, see our Cairo day tours, our Aswan day tours, or ask for a tailor-made itinerary.