Luxor: 2-Day Valley of the Kings, Felucca Night & Hot Air Balloon

Summary

Ancient tombs sunrise balloon ride Nile night on felucca

You’ll walk through ancient tombs with an Egyptologist guide, watch Luxor turn gold from a felucca at sunset (with tea), float over temples in a sunrise hot air balloon ride, and see Karnak up close—all with hotel pickup and meals included. Expect moments that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the hush inside the Valley of the Kings. Our guide, Ahmed, kept his voice low—almost like he didn’t want to wake anyone (which made sense, considering). The air was dry and cool, and I could smell dust and something sweet from a nearby stall selling dates. Walking through those painted corridors, I tried to imagine what it felt like to believe in eternity. Ahmed pointed at some faded blue stars on the ceiling—he said they were over three thousand years old. It’s weird how you can feel so small but also kind of electric at the same time.

After that, we zigzagged past the Colossi of Memnon—two giant statues just standing there in the sun—and then Medinet Habu. There was this moment when our driver honked at a donkey cart and everyone just sort of waved at each other; I liked that. The Temple of Hatshepsut looked almost unreal against the cliffs. I tried to say her name right (Hatch-ep-soot?) but Ahmed grinned and corrected me gently. By late afternoon, we were climbing onto a felucca for the night. Honestly, I didn’t expect to sleep on a boat in Luxor, but there I was sipping tea as the Nile went gold at sunset. The river was quiet except for some laughter from another boat drifting by.

The next morning started way too early (I’m not really a morning person), but floating up in that hot air balloon over Luxor made me forget about yawning. The city looked soft and pink below us—the temples and fields all blurred together—and for once nobody said anything for a while. Back on land, we stopped at Karnak Temple where our guide explained how people used to walk between Karnak and Luxor Temple during festivals. My brain was still half up in the sky, honestly.

I keep thinking about that night on the felucca—the way everything slowed down for a bit. If you want something more than just checking off monuments—a real day trip in Luxor with quiet moments and actual conversations—this was it for me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — West Bank tour and felucca night

• Pick-up from hotel
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Medinet Habu temple
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Transfer to felucca
• Lunch and tea on felucca
• Overnight on felucca

Day 2 — Hot air balloon and East Bank

• Pick-up from hotel
• Hot air balloon ride over Luxor
• Return to felucca and collect luggage
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Transfer to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Luxor tour?

Yes, private hotel pickup and return are included both days.

Do I sleep overnight on the felucca boat?

Yes, one night is spent sleeping on a traditional felucca on the Nile.

Are meals provided during this 2-day Luxor trip?

Lunch and dinner are included on day one; tea is served on the felucca.

How high does the hot air balloon go over Luxor?

The flight reaches up to 1,500 feet above Luxor’s historical sites.

Which temples will I visit during this package?

You’ll visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Medinet Habu, Hatshepsut’s Temple, plus Valley of the Kings.

Is an English-speaking guide provided throughout?

Yes, you’ll have a professional private Egyptologist guide in English during tours.

Can infants or children join this tour?

Yes; infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers if needed.

Is transportation private or shared?

This tour uses private air-conditioned vehicles for transfers between sites.

What’s included

Your two days include private hotel pickup and drop-off in Luxor, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water along the way, entry to major sites with your own Egyptologist guide who answers every question patiently—even pronunciation ones—a traditional lunch and dinner plus tea served right on your felucca as you drift down the Nile overnight, plus an early-morning hot air balloon ride before exploring more temples together.