The Luxor West Bank is a landscape of royal tombs, mortuary temples, villages and desert hills. Distances between the entrances make a private driver useful, but a good day depends on selecting a manageable group of sites. Start with the places you most want to understand, then build the route around them.
A practical first visit
Choose the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut as your two main visits, with a shorter stop at the Colossi of Memnon. This gives you a mixture of decorated burial chambers, open temple architecture and monumental statues. Allow flexibility for queues and walking rather than promising yourself a fixed number of sites by lunchtime.
Adding Medinet Habu
Medinet Habu is a worthwhile alternative to simply adding more royal tombs. Its temple spaces and reliefs give the day a different focus. If it matters to you, reserve time for it from the beginning. An extra temple added late in a packed programme can turn a pleasant outing into a race back to your hotel.
Deir el Medina and the Valley of the Queens
Deir el Medina introduces the community of workers who created the royal tombs. The Valley of the Queens adds another burial landscape. Check which tombs are open and how current admission works before choosing either. Do not build the day around entry to a particular tomb until access is confirmed; conservation restrictions can change what visitors are able to see.
Tickets, walking and comfort
The West Bank does not operate as one attraction with one ticket covering everything. Ask for a clear list of admissions and any separately ticketed tombs. Wear shoes suited to uneven ground and steps, carry water and leave room for rest. If enclosed tomb passages are uncomfortable for you, put more emphasis on temples and open archaeological spaces.
Organising collection and return
Share your hotel address, preferred start and final destination. Visitors staying on the East Bank should allow for the road crossing, while West Bank guests may start closer to the sites. Confirm whether your booking covers transport alone or includes a licensed guide. A driver can handle the route and collection points; interpretation inside the monuments is a separate service to agree.
Arrange your itinerary
Use our tailor-made itinerary request to share your dates, accommodation and preferred stops. Explore our sightseeing transfers and city to city transport for the wider journey.
For archaeological background, see the official heritage information. Confirm current tickets and access before travelling. Information reviewed in September 2026.