Hot Air Balloon in Luxor: Ancient Sites from the Sky

See Luxor's Ancient Temples and Tombs from 500 to 1,500 Feet Up

A hot air balloon flight over Luxor takes you from your hotel at dawn (or later) in an air-conditioned car, across the Nile by motorboat, and up for roughly an hour to see the temples and tombs from above. A local guide travels with you and points out the landmarks. You get a flight certificate, snacks, and return transport to your hotel. The flight time depends on wind and conditions, and you choose between a sunrise or after-sunrise departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight over Luxor

• Pickup from hotel early morning
• Cross the Nile by boat
• Receive safety briefing at launch site
• Ascend in hot air balloon
• View Luxor temples and tombs from air
• Return to hotel

The experience

Your driver picks you up from your central Luxor hotel around 5:30 a.m. (confirm the exact time with the operator, as pickup varies by hotel location and distance to the launch site). You'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to the Nile, cross by motorboat to reach the balloon site, and receive a safety briefing before boarding. A knowledgeable local guide joins you in the basket.

The flight itself lasts about an hour, climbing to between 500 and 1,500 feet. From that height, the temples and tombs of Luxor spread out below: the Valley of the Kings, the temples on the East and West Banks, and the river itself all visible at once. Your guide points out the significant sites and shares context as you drift. The perspective from above is what sets this apart from ground-level visits: you see the scale and layout of the ancient city in a way walking through it does not reveal.

After landing, you'll receive a flight certificate as a souvenir and snacks before heading back across the Nile and returning to your hotel. The whole outing takes about two hours from pickup to drop-off. You can choose between a sunrise departure (earlier pickup) or an after-sunrise option (later departure), depending on what fits your schedule and how you want to experience the light.

What’s included

• Hot air balloon flight.
• roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• motorboat transfer across the Nile.
• safety briefing.
• live guide commentary in your choice of language.
• flight certificate and souvenir.
• snacks.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

After SunriseGuide in 5 languages · 05:30, 06:00 and 06:30Includes pickup

SunriseGuide in 5 languages · 05:30, 06:00 and 06:30Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:30, 06:00 and 06:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Egypt Holiday Makers Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the sunrise departure if you want to see Luxor's temples lit by early light and have the skies less crowded. The after-sunrise option works better if you prefer a later start to your day and still want the aerial perspective of the ancient sites.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the hot air balloon flight depart from my hotel?

Pickup is around 5:30 a.m., though the exact time depends on your hotel's location and distance to the launch site. Confirm the precise pickup time with the operator when you book.

How long am I actually in the air?

The flight lasts about an hour. The full experience, including pickup, the boat crossing, and return to your hotel, takes roughly two hours total.

What temples and tombs can I see from the balloon?

You'll see the major sites on both banks of the Nile: the temples on the East Bank and the Valley of the Kings and other tombs on the West Bank. Your guide will identify and explain the landmarks as you float above them.

Is there a choice of departure times?

Yes. You can book either a sunrise departure (the earlier pickup) or an after-sunrise option (a later departure). Choose based on when you want to fly and how you prefer to experience the light over the ruins.

What's included in the price?

The balloon flight, roundtrip transport by air-conditioned car or minivan from your hotel, the motorboat crossing to the West Bank, a safety briefing, live guide commentary in English (and Spanish, Italian, French or another language), a flight certificate, snacks, and all fees and taxes are included.