Luxor 2-Day Tour: Hot Air Balloon & Valley of the Kings

Hot air balloon at sunrise, then three tombs and two temples across two days

A 2-day private guided tour from Safaga port to Luxor combines a hot air balloon ride over the West Bank with visits to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Your guide tailors the pace and commentary to your interests, and the tour includes one night in a Luxor hotel, all entry fees, meals and return transport to the port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Safaga to Luxor East Bank

• Travel from Safaga to Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temples
• Lunch at oriental restaurant
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 2: Hot Air Balloon and West Bank

• Hot air balloon ride with breakfast box
• Explore Valley of the Kings
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at Nile-view restaurant
• Return to Safaga

The experience

Your cruise docks at Safaga, and you have two days to see Luxor's major sites without the rush of a same-day excursion. Day one takes you from the port to Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built: 247 acres of stone raised by generations of pharaohs. After lunch at a local restaurant, you move to Luxor Temple, which anchored the ancient festival of Opet and was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. You stay overnight in a Luxor hotel, giving you time to rest before the second day's early start.

Day two begins before dawn with a hot air balloon ride over Luxor's landscapes, with a breakfast box to eat as you float above the West Bank. You then visit the Valley of the Kings, where you enter three tombs including those of Ramses II and Tutankhamun. Next comes Hatshepsut Temple, the well-preserved mortuary complex of the female pharaoh, followed by the Colossi of Memnon: two massive stone statues of King Amenhotep III that stand as the last remains of a once-complete temple. Lunch at a Nile-view restaurant closes the day before you return to Safaga and rejoin your ship.

Your private guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language and adjusts the itinerary to match your pace and what interests you most. The tour covers entry to all sites, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, one night's accommodation, breakfast and lunch both days, and pickup and return to your hotel or the port.

What’s included

• Professional private guide in your choice of language.
• one night in a Luxor hotel.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from Safaga to Luxor and back.
• hot air balloon ride with breakfast box.
• entry fees to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings (three tombs), Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon.
• lunch on both days at local and Nile-view restaurants.
• pickup from your hotel or Safaga port and return transport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt Best Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if your cruise gives you two full days at Safaga and you want a private guide who adjusts pace and stops to your interests rather than following a fixed group itinerary through Luxor's temples and tombs.

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 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is inside the tombs in the Valley of the Kings?

The Valley of the Kings holds the burial chambers of Egypt's pharaohs and their families. The tour includes entry to three tombs, among them the burial sites of Ramses II and Tutankhamun, where you see painted walls, carved hieroglyphics and the architecture of royal tombs built deep into the rock.

How early does the hot air balloon ride start?

The balloon ride departs early in the morning before sunrise, when the air is calmest and the light is best for viewing the landscape. Hotel pickup happens before dawn so you can board the balloon and rise above Luxor's West Bank as the sun comes up.

What is the Colossi of Memnon?

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of King Amenhotep III, each about 67 feet tall, that stand on the West Bank near Luxor. They are the last standing remains of what was once a complete mortuary temple, and they have survived for over 3,000 years.

Does the tour return to Safaga port in time for the ship?

Yes, the tour is timed to get you back to Safaga in time to rejoin your cruise ship at the end of day two. The operator coordinates the return schedule with typical port departure times, though you should confirm your ship's exact departure time when you book.

Can I choose which three tombs to visit in the Valley of the Kings?

Your private guide can adjust which tombs you enter based on your interests and energy level. The tour includes entry to three graves, and the guide tailors the selection to what matters most to you.