West Bank: tombs and temples
The West Bank holds the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs including Tutankhamun were buried, the striking Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Most tours start here in the cooler morning.
East Bank: Karnak and Luxor temples
Across the river, the vast Karnak temple complex and the elegant Luxor temple dominate the East Bank. Karnak in particular is enormous and rewards a good guide.
Best Luxor day options
A single full day can cover both banks. The full day East and West Banks of Luxor tour packs the highlights into one guided day. For a more relaxed pace, a private Valley of the Kings and Karnak tour gives you a private guide.
Tips
- Start early, the West Bank gets very hot by midday
- Carry cash for the extra tomb tickets in the Valley of the Kings
- Bring sun protection, much of the site is open ground
See the best of Luxor
Book a Luxor day tour with the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, free cancellation included.
Questions fréquentes
In one day you can see the West Bank highlights, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, plus the East Bank temples of Karnak and Luxor. A guided full day tour links them efficiently.
Yes. A long day trip from Cairo flies you to Luxor in the morning, covers the main sites with a guide and flies back the same evening. It is intense but lets you see Luxor without an overnight stay.
A guided Luxor day tour from Luxor itself starts from around 60 to 90 euros depending on the sites and whether it is private. A day trip from Cairo costs more because it includes the return flights.

