Hot Air Balloon & Luxor Temples from Hurghada: Private Tour

The balloon ride happens at dawn, before most of Luxor wakes up.

A full-day private tour from Hurghada combining a 45-minute sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor with guided exploration of Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Pickup from your Hurghada hotel starts at 1 a.m., and you return by 7:30 p.m. A private guide and vehicle are yours alone for the day. You can also book the balloon flight only if you prefer to skip the temple tours and head straight back to Hurghada after landing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valley of the Kings1h 30m · entry included
2. Karnak Temple1h · entry included
3. Temple of Hatshepsut30m · entry included
4. Colossi of Memnon15m
5. Sand City Hurghada3m

Luxor hot air balloon and sightseeing

• Pick-up from Hurghada hotel
• Drive to Luxor with snacks
• Enjoy 45-minute hot air balloon ride
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Explore Valley of the Kings tombs
• Lunch at local Egyptian restaurant
• Tour Karnak Temple complex
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Return drive to Hurghada with snacks
• Arrive back at Hurghada hotel

The experience

The day begins with a 3.5-hour drive from Hurghada to Luxor in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with snacks and water provided. Your driver picks you up from your hotel at 1 a.m. so you arrive in time for the balloon launch. Once there, you'll have soft drinks before boarding a motorboat to the west bank of the Nile, where the balloon crew meets you at the launch site. The 45-minute flight itself takes you over Luxor's temples and ancient burial grounds from above: the reason this stretch of the Nile is sometimes called the world's largest open-air museum.

After landing, your private guide meets you at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues from the reign of King Amenhotep III that mark the start of the ground exploration. From there, you move through the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank, where you'll enter tombs of Ramses, Horemheb, and Merenptah. An Egyptian breakfast follows, then lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon takes you to Karnak Temple on the East Bank, where you'll walk the Avenue of Sphinxes and stand inside the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 colossal columns. You also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, built to honor Egypt's only female pharaoh. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or one of five other languages, depending on what you select at booking.

The return drive to Hurghada leaves at 3 p.m. and takes another 3.5 hours, with more snacks and drinks along the way. You'll arrive back at your hotel around 7:30 p.m. If the full day feels too long, the Hot Air Balloon Only option lets you skip the temple tours and return directly to Hurghada after the flight lands, cutting the total time significantly.

What’s included

• Sunrise hot air balloon flight lasting 45 minutes.
• private round-trip transportation from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• private qualified tour guide in your chosen language.
• Egyptian breakfast after the balloon lands.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• entry to Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Temple of Hatshepsut.
• snacks and water throughout the day.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Options for this experience

2 options

Hot Air Balloon OnlyGuide in English · 01:00This option covers only a hot air balloon trip with private transfer and does not include Luxor day tours. It lasts 8 hours: 6-8 hours of driving both ways and 35-50 minutes of hot air ballooning. Breakfast and snacks: a delicious Egyptian breakfast and snacks. Included: hotel pickup, transfer to Luxor, hot air balloon ride, Egyptian breakfast, return transfer, and a private air-conditioned car. With this option, the guide speaks English only, as there is no sightseeing commentary. Pickup is included.

Hot-air balloon flight plus day tours of LuxorGuide in 9 languages · 01:00Following the balloon ride, you can take a private tour of Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple, with all entrance fees covered. With this option, you get a hot air balloon ride and a full-day Luxor tour with a private guide and car, lasting 11 hours: 6-7 hours of driving, 35-50 minutes of hot air ballooning, and 3 hours for the Luxor tours. Lunch and snacks: enjoy a tasty Egyptian lunch and snacks, plus complimentary bottled water during your transfers. Included: hotel pickup, hot air balloon ride, Egyptian breakfast, Luxor highlights tour, Egyptian lunch, return transfer, private air-conditioned car, and a private guide with this option. Pickup is included.

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 dayDeparts at 01:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Dutch and Russian

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Egypt Tours Travel

Is this one for you?Book the full Balloon Trip & Luxor Day Tours option if you want to see the temples from the ground and have a complete day of sightseeing. Choose the Hot Air Balloon Only option if you're short on time or prefer a shorter outing. You'll still get the sunrise flight and the drive back to Hurghada, just without the four temple stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3).

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.

Can I do just the hot air balloon without the temple tours?

Yes. The Hot Air Balloon Only option includes the sunrise flight and return transport to Hurghada, skipping the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Hatshepsut temple visits. You'll still get the 1 a.m. pickup, the motorboat ride to the launch site, and the 45-minute flight, then head straight back to your hotel after landing.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup?

Pickup is at 1 a.m. from your Hurghada hotel, so you'll need to be packed and waiting at your accommodation. The early start gets you to Luxor in time for the sunrise balloon launch.

What's included in the price?

The Balloon Trip & Luxor Day Tours option includes the hot air balloon flight, hotel pickup and drop-off, private vehicle for the day, private guide, Egyptian breakfast after the flight, lunch at a local restaurant, snacks and water throughout, and all taxes and fees. Gratuities are separate.

What are the Colossi of Memnon?

The Colossi of Memnon are two towering statues from the reign of King Amenhotep III, standing on Luxor's West Bank. Your guide meets you there after the balloon lands, and they mark the beginning of your temple exploration for the day.

How long is the hot air balloon flight?

The balloon ride lasts 45 minutes and takes you over Luxor's temples and ancient sites from above. It departs at sunrise, which is why the pickup from Hurghada happens so early in the morning.

Is this tour suitable if I have a bad back or I'm pregnant?

The balloon flight is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. If either applies to you, the temple-only portions of the day may still work, but check with the operator before booking.