2-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam: Hot Air Balloon & Nile

Rise over ancient temples at dawn, then walk through pharaonic tombs and monuments

A 2-day private tour from Marsa Alam takes you to Luxor's greatest sites with an Egyptologist guide, overnight 4-star hotel stay, and a sunrise hot air balloon flight. Day one covers Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank. Day two begins with the balloon ascent, then moves to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon on the west bank, ending with a felucca ride on the Nile before your return drive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Discover Luxor East Bank and Temples

• Drive from Marsa Alam to Luxor
• Explore Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Dinner and overnight at 4-star hotel

Day 2: Sunrise Balloon and West Bank Tour

• Sunrise hot air balloon flight
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Felucca ride on the Nile
• Return drive to Marsa Alam

The experience

Two days lets you see Luxor without the pace of a day trip from the coast. You leave Marsa Alam in a private air-conditioned vehicle and arrive in Luxor for afternoon exploration of Karnak Temple, Egypt's largest temple complex, and Luxor Temple in the city center. After dinner, you stay overnight in a 4-star hotel, which means you can start the next morning early enough to catch the sunrise hot air balloon flight: the moment most visitors miss when they rush through in a single day.

Day two begins before dawn. The hot air balloon lifts off as the sun rises over the Nile and the temples below, giving you views across the entire valley. After landing and breakfast, you visit the Valley of the Kings to walk through the royal tombs of Egypt's pharaohs, then move to Hatshepsut Temple, one of Egypt's most elegant monuments, and the Colossi of Memnon: two giant statues of Amenhotep III standing on the west bank. Lunch comes at a local restaurant, followed by a traditional felucca ride on the Nile before the drive back to Marsa Alam.

A licensed Egyptologist guide travels with you throughout, speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French or German. All entrance fees, transportation, meals, and the balloon flight are included. You arrange only tips. Children under 6 cannot ride the balloon for safety reasons, and the tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or serious cardiovascular conditions.

What’s included

• One night in a 4-star hotel in Luxor.
• private air-conditioned transportation from Marsa Alam.
• sunrise hot air balloon flight.
• professional licensed Egyptologist guide.
• felucca ride on the Nile.
• all entrance fees to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• dinner, breakfast, and lunch.

Information

Lasts 2d, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 304 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: 04:00, 05:00, 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Other times ›

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and ItalianOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Legacy Tour

Is this one for you?The early start on day two is what makes the sunrise balloon flight possible. If you prefer a later morning, a 1-day tour from Marsa Alam skips the balloon and the overnight hotel. The overnight stay also means you move at a relaxed pace through each site instead of rushing between them, which suits anyone who wants depth over speed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6).

What is Karnak Temple like compared to Luxor Temple?

Karnak Temple is Egypt's largest temple complex, famous for its giant columns and sacred ancient atmosphere, while Luxor Temple is smaller and beautifully located in the city center, both rich in pharaonic history but different in scale and setting.

How early does the hot air balloon flight start?

The balloon departs before sunrise on day two, so you begin in darkness and lift off as the sun rises over the Nile and the temples, giving you the light and views that make the flight memorable.

What happens during the felucca ride on the Nile?

The felucca is a traditional sailboat ride on the Nile after your west bank sightseeing on day two, offering a peaceful way to experience the river before your return drive to Marsa Alam.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation from Marsa Alam to Luxor?

No. Private air-conditioned transportation is included from pickup in Marsa Alam through the entire tour and your return drive at the end of day two.

What meals are provided over the two days?

Dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, and lunch on day two are all included. You eat at local restaurants as part of the tour itinerary.