West Bank tombs in one tidy morning. This shared tour runs you along Luxor’s quieter side, from the Valley of the Kings to Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari, with a guide to translate what you’re seeing. It’s timed to fit a half-day feel while still hitting the big monuments most people come for.

I like that you travel with a professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide (not just a driver), plus hotel pickup and drop-off so you’re not juggling taxis in the morning heat. The one thing to keep in mind is logistics: pickup times may slide, since the group vehicle can take time collecting everyone before you head out.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• A real Egyptologist guide who helps you make sense of tombs and temple design
• Valley of the Kings + Deir el-Bahari in one route, without you planning anything
• Hatshepsut’s terraces that you can actually read with a guide’s context
• Colossi of Memnon as a quick win (short stop, big photo payoff, free)
• Lunch included with the day’s sightseeing, not an extra cost to hunt down

The West Bank Route in About 5 Hours (and Why That Matters)

This is a shared day tour from Luxor’s West Bank that lasts about 5 hours total, with transport time included. The start time is 8:00 am, and the maximum group size is up to 25 people. You’ll get pickup and drop-off at your hotel, and you’ll travel with other people rather than having a private van all to yourself.

That time window is actually a strength for most visitors. The West Bank is spread out, and you also need energy for walking on uneven ground and stairs. A tight route helps you see the key monuments without turning your day into a long grind.

One practical note: this is a shared format, so departure can be driven by when everyone is ready. The tour you’re booking is designed to start at 8:00, but I’d plan for the common reality of group pickups—especially when multiple stops are involved.

Price and Value: What You Get for $16

At $16 per person, this tour sits in the low end for guided monument tours. The value comes from what’s included: a professional Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and the standard taxes/service charges.

What’s not included is the part people usually remember as the “real cost”: entrance fees to the temples and sites. Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple each require separate ticket costs on-site (not included). The Colossi of Memnon is listed as free, which helps balance the total.

So the best way to think about the price is this: you’re paying for the logistics, guide, and an organized route, while you budget separately for site admissions. If you already know the entrance fees are part of your Luxor plan, this price can feel like a smart buy—especially since you also get lunch covered.

Pickup, Heat, and Group Logistics You Can Control

The tour starts at 8:00 am and includes pickup from your hotel. You’ll go with a group, and the guide is meant to keep things moving once you arrive at each site.

Now for the drawback to plan around: group pickups can sometimes take longer than expected because the vehicle may pick up other customers before you reach the West Bank. I saw one reported scenario where a confirmed 8:00 pickup was changed to 9:00, and the van arrived near 10 after a longer round of collecting people. That’s not a guarantee, but it’s a reminder to set expectations.

Here’s what I’d do to stay comfortable:

• Be ready a little early at your pickup location and keep water with you.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen even if you’re starting early. The sun on the West Bank is not forgiving.
• Keep your lunch mindset simple. Don’t expect a long, fancy meal—think refuel so you can enjoy the sites.

In short: the tour is good value, but shared transport means you should stay flexible about exact timing.

Valley of the Kings: Tickets, Timing, and What a Guide Adds

Your first major stop is the Valley of the Kings, also called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings. The visit is about 1 hour, and entrance tickets are not included in the tour price.

One hour sounds short until you’re standing there. The valley contains many tombs, and you won’t realistically see everything in a shared schedule. This is where a guide helps most: they can point you to what matters and help you understand how the tombs fit together visually and historically, so you don’t just walk through corridors of rock without context.

Practical considerations:

• Plan for sun and walking. Even a “quick” visit can feel physical once you add stairs and uneven paths.
• Entrance fees are separate, so check your budget early so there’s no surprise at the gate.
• Expect a guided structure for your time. With a one-hour window, you’ll likely be moving efficiently rather than wandering freely.

If you’re the type who likes structure—having someone point out what to notice—this stop benefits you immediately. If you’re the type who wants to linger in one tomb for an hour, this format might feel fast.

Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari: The Terraces You’ll Remember

Next you head to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. This stop is also about 1 hour, and again entrance tickets are not included.

This temple is known for its dramatic terrace layout—three massive terraces rising from the desert floor up toward the cliffs. Even without a technical background, you can feel the design: it’s built to be seen from different angles, and the terraces help you understand how the temple “steps” across the landscape.

What I like about having a guide here is not just facts. It’s orientation. A good guide helps you see the temple as a planned experience—where to look first, what alignments mean in plain language, and how Hatshepsut’s story connects to the architecture you’re staring at.

A realistic caution: the one-hour visit is just enough to appreciate the structure and major viewpoints, but it’s not enough to read every corner in detail. If you want a slow, photo-heavy, explanation-light approach, you’ll need more time than this tour provides.

Colossi of Memnon: A Short Stop That Still Delivers

After the temple, you go to the Colossi of Memnon. The stop is about 30 minutes, and it’s listed as admission free.

This is the kind of stop that can feel “small” on paper and huge in person. Two monumental statues are hard to ignore, and even in a short window you usually get what you came for: scale, iconic photos, and a sense of how major a royal mortuary site was.

Because the visit is brief, you can treat it as a breathing reset between bigger stops. Use it to:

• Take a few photos while the light is good
• Rehydrate
• Get your bearings before lunch

If you love monuments and hate rushing, you might wish this stop were longer. But if you want a balanced route that doesn’t drain your whole afternoon, 30 minutes can be about right.

Lunch in Luxor: Included, Simple, and Timed for the Day

The tour includes lunch, and there’s about 1 hour allocated for the meal and transition time. Lunch is listed as included, while admission fees for the lunch area are noted as free (though that doesn’t matter much for you as a visitor).

I treat lunch on a tour like this as a planning tool: it keeps the day from splitting into “go eat + find your way back.” You’re already in the West Bank area and moving between sites, so having lunch handled is a real convenience.

What you should expect from a shared tour lunch:

• It’s usually practical rather than gourmet
• You’ll be eating with the schedule in mind
• You’ll have enough time to rest before the return transfer

If you have dietary needs, the provided information doesn’t spell out special meals. That means you should plan to communicate your needs clearly with the operator when you book.

Tickets, What’s Included, and How to Avoid Surprise Fees

Here’s the clean breakdown based on what the tour lists:

• Included: professional Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup/drop-off, lunch, and taxes/service charges
• Not included: entrance fees to Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple

Colossi of Memnon is marked as free, which helps keep total site costs under control.

A smart move before you go: budget for at least two paid admissions. Entrance fees are a big part of Luxor’s cost, and knowing that up front helps you pick the day’s spending without stress.

Also note: the tour uses a mobile ticket, so keep your phone accessible. If you don’t like relying on your phone, save the ticket details offline too, just in case.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Style)

This works best for:

• People who want a guided introduction to the West Bank
• Visitors who like a structured route with clear time limits
• First-timers who want Valley of the Kings + Hatshepsut without arranging separate transport
• Anyone who values convenience: pickup, drop-off, lunch, and organized stops

It may be less ideal if:

• You want to spend long hours in only one tomb or one section of a temple
• You’re very sensitive to group pickup timing
• You prefer a totally independent pace and ticket-by-ticket choices

The group size cap of 25 suggests it’s not a tiny private group, but it also isn’t a giant bus tour. Expect a bit of movement between sites and some waiting, but not chaos by default.

The Real Win: Understanding What You’re Seeing

Many West Bank visits become a blur of impressive rocks and big names. The value of this tour is that it’s built around an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, which means you spend less time guessing and more time looking with purpose.

At Valley of the Kings, that purpose is about tomb context. At Deir el-Bahari, it’s about learning how terrace design and temple layout connect to the story of Hatshepsut. At the Colossi, it’s about making sense of what you’re looking at even in a short stop.

That’s the difference between ticking boxes and actually getting something from your time. And at this price, you’re not paying extra for the guide.

Should You Book This West Bank Tour?

If you want a well-organized West Bank day that hits the top monuments without planning transport, this is a strong option. The high 4.8 rating and 96% recommended signal that most people are pleased with the overall package—especially the combination of pickup, guided interpretation, and included lunch at a very low base price.

Just go in with two expectations set:

• Entrance fees aren’t included, so budget for paid admissions at Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut.
• Because it’s shared, pickup timing can be imperfect. Start your day with flexibility, not a rigid schedule.

If that sounds like your travel style, book it. If you want a slow, private, no-wait experience, you’ll likely feel happier with a private tour.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is about 5 hours in total, and that includes transport time.

What time does the tour start in Luxor?

It starts at 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel is offered, and you’re also transferred back to your hotel.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional private Egyptologist English-speaking guide, hotel pickup/drop-off, all taxes and service charges, and lunch.

Are entrance fees to the Valley of the Kings included?

No. The entrance ticket for the Valley of the Kings is not included.

Are entrance fees to Hatshepsut’s temple included?

No. Admission for Hatshepsut’s Temple at Deir el-Bahari is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included during the tour, after the Colossi of Memnon stop.

What’s the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 25 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.