Full West Bank Tour

Description

Take a full day on the West Bank of Luxor. Visit Valley of the Kings, explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and stop to see the towering Colossi of Memnon as your Egyptologist guide reveals captivating facts about these age-old monuments. Visiting Valley of the Nobles and Valley of the Artisans. Completing the full West Bank tour with Medinat Habu and Deir El Medina.

Highlights

Valley of the Kings with visits of 3 tombs

Temple of Hatshepsut

Colossi of Memnon

Valley of  the Nobles

Medinat Habu

Valley of the Artisans

Deir El Medina

Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your expert Egyptologist guide on this special private tour

Pick-up and drop-off from central Luxor hotels or port

What You Can Expect

Depart your Luxor hotel or Luxor river port in the morning by minivan and journey to the West Bank of the Nile River.

As you travel, listen as your guide tells tales about the Valley of the Kings, the mountain-cut royal necropolis of the capital of Thebes that once stood on the site of Luxor. If you have any particular areas of interest, let your guide know.Your commentary and itinerary can be tailored to your preference. Soak up views of the rugged mountains and, on arrival, enjoy a brief stop at the valley’s visitor center.

Then, explore the inner rock-cut chambers and tunnels. Guides are not permitted to accompany you inside the tombs, but your guide will describe what to look for before you enter. Walk through colorful, hieroglyph-covered corridors and see painted chambers that once contained the remains of 62 ancient Egypt’s rulers. If you wish, pay an additional cost direct to enter the tomb of King Tutankamon.

Next, drive to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a vision of geometrical colonnades hewn into a cliffside. Learn about the temple’s history and life of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler. Stroll around the courtyards and terraces, and admire the statues and hieroglyphics that adorn them.

Then, stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon: two towering statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, that once stood at his now long-gone funerary temple. Hear the stories and legends that surround the statues, and inspect the Roman-era graffiti engraved in the stone.

Continue to visit the Valley of the Nobles, the tombs of ancient Egypt’s nobles and high officials were scattered through the rocky hills on the West Bank of Luxor at el Qurna site, the majority of the tombs dating from the New Kingdom, the Golden Age of Thebes. Decorated with daily live scenes, funerals, and ideal afterlives of their owners, these tombs provide us with a wealth of information about life and religious beliefs in ancient Egypt. Their beauty also attests to the skill and creativity of the ancient Egyptian artisans.

Proceed to Habu Temple of Ramses III, was the last New Kingdom (1550-1080 BC) king to wield any substantial authority over Egypt. The Temple is the best-preserved of the New Kingdom memorial temples. It is decorated with military scenes and texts illustrating the victories of the king, as well as the rituals performed and festivals celebrated. A royal palace was built at the south of the Temple open forecourt, while priests’ dwellings and administrative units lay on either side of the temple.

Also visit Valley of the Artisans. This is the place where the workmen of the royal tombs used to live. Here you will see the Temple of Deir el-Medina, which was dedicated to the goddess Hathor. This is the only temple in all of Egypt where you can admire carvings of the Final Judgement. At every site you will get information from your Egyptologist tour guide and you will get free time to explore the ancient monuments by yourself.

Before your tour ends, perhaps take the opportunity to visit an alabaster factory and, if you wish, purchase some hand-cut pieces as souvenirs.

After all the sights, finish your tour with a drop-off at your hotel or cruise ship.

Entrance fees are not included in the price of any tours: We do not charge in advance for site entrance fees to add flexibility to your program as you may choose to skip one or more sites depending upon your interests.