Shared Day Tour to Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut ,Memnon &lunch

Five hours on Luxor West Bank, timed right. This shared tour is built around a simple idea: see the core highlights with a professional English-speaking Egyptologist and keep the logistics handled. I like that you get a real guided focus at the big monuments, and that lunch is included so you are not scrambling when the heat hits. The main drawback to consider is schedule sensitivity, because pickup timing can be adjusted on some days, so re-check your pickup time before you relax.

You will also want to budget for temple entrance fees, since they are not included for the Valley of the Kings or Hatshepsut. The good news is the Colossi of Memnon stop is short and admission there is free, so you get time efficiency without extra ticket cost. With a start time of 8:00 am and an overall duration around 5 hours including transport, this tour is designed for people who want a concentrated West Bank day without committing to a full-day package.

Key things that make this tour worth a look

• English-speaking Egyptologist guide that keeps the stops meaningful, not just scenic photo breaks.
• Included lunch for an easy, no-stress midday plan on the West Bank.
• Short, efficient sightseeing stops that fit into about 5 hours total including transport.
• Colossi of Memnon is free admission, so you control your spend at that point.
• Small group size up to 25 travelers, so the tour stays manageable.
• Mobile ticket makes it simpler to check in than older paper-only systems.

West Bank highlights in about 5 hours, what the timing really means

This is a shared day tour focused on Luxor’s West Bank, running about 5 hours total when you include transport time. The schedule is built for early starts, so you can hit the most popular sites while the day is still comfortable. It is also the kind of day plan that works well if you have only one morning or afternoon in Luxor and you want the big names without stretching into a long, tiring timeline.

The best part of this timing is how little you have to negotiate. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the day is routed in a logical order: Valley of the Kings first, then Deir el-Bahari and Hatshepsut, then Colossi of Memnon, then lunch. You are not hopping between far-flung areas all day.

One practical note: entrance fees are not included for the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut. That means your day is still “easy,” but your wallet needs a little extra planning. I recommend carrying cash or being ready to pay on site, because you do not want to get to the check-in point and realize you are missing the entrance ticket money.

Valley of the Kings: seeing tombs without losing the plot

The day starts on the West Bank with the Valley of the Kings, also known as the Valley of the Gates of the Kings. Your time here is about 1 hour, and entrance is not included. That short window can feel tight, but with an Egyptologist guide, you get more than a quick walk-by. You have context for what you are looking at, why this valley matters, and how the burial landscape fits into royal ancient Egypt.

With a guided visit, you can focus on the key visual cues: the setting, the tomb entrances, and the sense of scale. The Valley of the Kings is famous because it is not just one monument, it is a whole necropolis of royal burials. In one hour, you will not see everything, but you can still come away with a clear sense of what this place is and why it became so important.

Drawback to consider: since admission is not included, you need to handle the ticket purchase or entry process on your own. Also, 1 hour at a major site means you should be ready to move at a steady pace. If you love slow museum-style touring, this stop may feel rushed. If you want the highlights with guided context, this timing is a good fit.

Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari: the terraces do the talking

Next up is the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. This stop is about 1 hour, and entrance fees are not included. Even if you know the basics, the temple’s layout hits you fast. You are looking at the famous terrace structure, where massive steps and architectural symmetry rise from the desert floor toward the cliffs.

What I like about adding Hatshepsut after the Valley of the Kings is the change in feel. The Valley is about rock-cut burial landscapes. Deir el-Bahari is monumental architecture, built to be seen and remembered. That makes the guided time more valuable, because you get help connecting the temple’s design choices to the story of the queen who commissioned it.

Practical consideration: the temple stop still comes with a ticket fee you must pay separately. That is normal for most Egypt monument visits, but it is worth planning for in advance so you can keep your momentum instead of pausing for payment.

Also, if you are very heat-sensitive, this is the time of day when sun can feel intense in open areas. The tour starts at 8:00 am, which helps, but you may still want a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Colossi of Memnon: a fast, worthwhile photo-and-imagination stop

Then you head to the Colossi of Memnon. The time here is about 30 minutes, and admission is free. This is a classic “quick win” stop: you get a major visual landmark without spending your budget on an extra entry ticket.

The Colossi are huge seated statues linked to Amenhotep III, and they make a strong contrast to the refined temple spaces you visited earlier. In a short amount of time, you can still appreciate scale, texture, and the sheer presence of these monuments in the desert setting. If you want a photo that really communicates Egypt at first glance, this stop is built for it.

The main drawback is simple: 30 minutes goes quickly. If you want a long, detailed look, this may feel like a whistle-stop visit. But for most people, it is the right length because it keeps the overall tour on schedule.

Lunch in Luxor: included break that keeps the day humane

After sightseeing, you go to a local restaurant for lunch. Lunch is included, and the stop is about 1 hour. This is one of the smartest inclusions on a shared tour because it removes the decision fatigue. Instead of trying to find a place during a busy day, you get a planned meal slot and time to refuel.

Because the restaurant details are not specified, I would treat lunch as a basic included stop rather than a gourmet event. Still, having lunch covered is a real value, especially when entrance fees are separate and the West Bank day adds up.

If you have dietary needs, this is the moment to be clear when you meet the group. The tour package does not list special meal handling, so if you need specific options, it is best to communicate early.

Price and value: the $16 tag makes sense, if you plan for entrance fees

The listed price is $16.00 per person, and the tour is about 5 hours including transport. For that price, you are getting hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional Egyptologist guide, lunch, and the core West Bank routing. Even with separate entrance fees, this is often good value compared to doing each site as a standalone guided visit plus transport plus meal.

Here is the “make it work” way to think about the cost:

• Your paid price covers guide time, transport, and lunch.
• You still need to budget for temple entrances at the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut.
• Colossi of Memnon is free admission, which offsets part of that separate spend.

Group discounts are also mentioned, and the tour caps at a maximum of 25 travelers. That matters because it helps keep the experience from feeling overly crowded while still keeping costs low.

Just be realistic: this is not a “no extra costs” tour. It is a “low base price plus you pay site entrance tickets” tour. If you plan that upfront, you will feel like you got a smart deal.

Pickup timing: how to protect your day from last-minute changes

Pickup is offered, and the start time listed is 8:00 am. The day includes transport time inside the overall 5-hour estimate, which is helpful if you are coordinating with other plans in Luxor.

One consideration from real-world experience with shared tours is that pickup times can shift late. Sometimes it is due to how drivers stage routes and combine hotel pickups. If your day is tight, or you have a separate ticket or activity that depends on a specific time, re-check your pickup time the day before and again on the morning of the tour.

You can also reduce stress by being ready a little early at your hotel entrance. Even if the confirmed pickup is 8:00 am, shared logistics can mean your driver is still gathering other stops.

My practical advice: assume that the tour start time is a target, not a pinpoint guarantee. You should still get a smooth experience, but build in a buffer so the day stays enjoyable.

Who should book this West Bank shared tour

I think this tour is a strong match if you:

• Want a guided West Bank intro that hits the big monuments without planning a route yourself.
• Appreciate structured sightseeing with a professional Egyptologist guide.
• Value included lunch so the middle of the day stays simple.
• Prefer a small group experience capped at 25 travelers.

You might want to look elsewhere if you:

• Need a very strict timing guarantee for pickup.
• Want to spend long hours inside sites and linger slowly at each stop.
• Are hoping for all entrance fees to be included in the $16 price.

This tour hits a nice middle ground for people doing Luxor as part of a multi-day itinerary who still want the essential West Bank story told in a clear sequence.

Should you book this Luxor West Bank tour?

Yes, I would book it if your goal is a guided, efficient West Bank circuit with lunch included and an Egyptologist leading the experience. The strong overall recommendation rate and high rating suggest most people are getting what they came for: the core sites in a tight schedule without the hassle of arranging separate visits.

But go in with two expectations set correctly. First, entrance fees at the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut are extra. Second, shared-tour pickup can sometimes be fluid, so confirm close to departure and give yourself some buffer time.

If you do those two things, this can be a very cost-effective way to get a meaningful West Bank day in Luxor.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 5 hours in total, including transport time.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel and return drop-off are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included.

Do I need to pay entrance fees?

Yes. Entrance fees for the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut are not included.

Is admission included for the Colossi of Memnon?

No extra admission fee is needed there, since it is listed as free.

Is the guide English speaking?

Yes. The tour includes a professional private Egyptologist who speaks English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 25 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.