Luxor Day Trip from Cairo: Hot Air Balloon, Temples & Nile Sail

Summary

Sunrise balloon ride over Luxor then temples and Nile by felucca

You’ll fly from Cairo to Luxor for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over ancient sites, walk through tombs in the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist guide, sail a felucca down the Nile after lunch, and explore Karnak and Luxor Temples before heading home—leaving you with more memories than you can count.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the hush before sunrise in Luxor — just me clutching a breakfast box, shoes crunching on dew-soaked grass. Our guide, Mahmoud, was already grinning at the launch field. I’ll admit, my nerves kicked in climbing into that hot air balloon basket (I mean, who wouldn’t?), but once we lifted off, everything below shrank into this puzzle of green fields and ancient stones. The Nile looked almost silver in the morning light. Mahmoud pointed out the Valley of the Kings as we drifted — he said something about how even locals still get goosebumps seeing it from above. I believed him.

Landing felt a bit like waking up mid-dream. We headed straight for the West Bank — dust swirling around our shoes as we walked through the Valley of the Kings. The tombs were cooler than outside; you could smell old stone and something faintly sweet I couldn’t place. Our Egyptologist guide (I think his name was Youssef?) had this way of telling stories that made Ramses III sound like someone you might actually know. At Hatshepsut’s Temple, I tried to imagine her ruling here for twenty years — honestly, standing there with sunlight bouncing off those pale cliffs made it feel possible.

I didn’t expect lunch to be such a relief — cold hibiscus juice and grilled chicken at a local spot where everyone seemed to know our driver by name. Afterward, we sailed on a felucca along the Nile toward Karnak Temple. There was this moment when everyone went quiet except for the slap of water against wood and some distant call to prayer drifting over from town. It’s funny what sticks with you.

Karnak itself is massive — columns everywhere, hieroglyphs half-worn smooth under your fingers if you reach out (I did). By sunset at Luxor Temple, my legs were tired but my brain was buzzing; Youssef kept answering questions even as we shuffled back toward the car. The flight back to Cairo felt oddly short after all that ground covered in one day. Sometimes I still think about that sunrise — feels like it belongs to another world.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Flight to Luxor and balloon ride

• Pick up from Cairo hotel
• Fly from Cairo to Luxor
• Relax at Luxor hotel
• Prepare for sunrise hot air balloon
• Enjoy hot air balloon ride over Luxor

Day 2 — West Bank temples and lunch

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Medinet Habu temple
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at local restaurant

Day 3 — Nile sailing and East Bank temples

• Sail Nile on traditional felucca
• Visit Karnak Temple with guide
• Sail to Luxor Temple at sunset
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 4 — Return flight to Cairo

• Transfer to Luxor airport
• Fly from Luxor to Cairo
• Meet delegate at Cairo airport
• Transfer to Cairo or Giza hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Luxor day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza are included.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Luxor?

The flight takes about one hour each way.

Is breakfast provided during the tour?

You’ll receive a breakfast box from your hotel to take on the hot air balloon ride.

What temples will I visit in Luxor?

You’ll visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut’s Temple, Medinet Habu, and see the Colossi of Memnon.

Are domestic flights included in the price?

Yes, round-trip flights between Cairo and Luxor are included.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

Yes, a professional private Egyptologist English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor is part of your tour.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation in Luxor?

No—all transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle with your group.

What’s included

Your day includes door-to-door hotel transfers in Cairo or Giza, round-trip domestic flights to Luxor, all private ground transport with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout your journey across both banks of Luxor; sunrise VIP hot air balloon ride with breakfast box; entry fees for all major sites including Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings; traditional felucca sailing on the Nile; plus lunch at a local restaurant before returning by evening flight.