Luxor West & East Banks Tour: Hot Air Balloon, Temples & Felucca

Five temples, a balloon flight at dawn, and a felucca on the Nile in one day

This full-day private tour of Luxor covers both the West Bank and East Bank temples, starting with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the historical sites at 1500 feet. The itinerary includes the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, with lunch, a traditional felucca sail on the Nile, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a private English-speaking Egyptologist guide. Entrance fees to the temples are not included and must be purchased separately. Hotel pickup is available from the East Bank. West Bank pickup is available for an extra cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Valley of the Kings1h
2. Temple of Hatshepsut1h
3. Colossi of Memnon30m
4. Karnak Temple2h
5. Luxor Temple1h

Explore Luxor's West and East Banks

• Pick-up from hotel or cruise ship
• Enjoy 45-80 minute hot air balloon flight
• Visit the Valley of the Kings
• Visit Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See the Colossi of Memnon and have lunch
• Sail on the Nile River in a felucca boat
• Visit Karnak Temple with guided explanation
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Transfer back to hotel or cruise ship

The experience

The day starts before dawn with hotel pickup and a drive to the balloon launch site. You'll spend 45 to 80 minutes aloft in a hot air balloon, rising to 1500 feet over the West Bank temples and farmland. The operator notes this is the highest balloon flight available in Luxor. From that height you watch the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut take shape across the desert floor as the sun rises.

After landing, your guide takes you to the Valley of the Kings, where rock-cut tombs were carved into the cliffs for pharaohs and nobles over nearly 500 years during the New Kingdom. From there you move to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a three-tiered mortuary temple built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari and considered a masterpiece of ancient architecture. You'll stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Amenhotep III, before lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon includes a felucca sail on the Nile, a traditional wooden sailing boat where you can relax with a drink while the current carries you past the riverbanks. Then you visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex in ancient Egypt, dedicated to the god Amun and his family. The tour closes at Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II, before your guide returns you to your hotel. The entire day runs about eight hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Professional private Egyptologist guide in your choice of language.
• hotel pickup and drop-off on the East Bank.
• air-conditioned vehicle and professional driver.
• sunrise hot air balloon ride.
• felucca sail on the Nile.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• all taxes and service charges.

Options for this experience

2 options

With English Guide03:30Includes pickup

Guide available in another languageGuide in Spanish, French or German · 03:30Includes pickup

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

Before you book

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 03:30, from US$ 129 per person, with live guides in 6 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 03:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 to 60 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Nice tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to pack five temples plus a Nile sail into one morning-to-afternoon outing, starting with a sunrise balloon flight that gets you exploring by mid-morning.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

What is the Valley of the Kings and why is it important?

The Valley of the Kings is a valley where pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom were buried in rock-cut tombs over nearly 500 years, from the 16th to 11th century BC. It's one of the most significant burial sites in ancient Egypt and a major stop on this tour.

How high does the hot air balloon go in Luxor?

The balloon reaches 1500 feet, which the operator states is the highest altitude offered for hot air balloon flights in Luxor. The flight lasts 45 to 80 minutes and departs at sunrise.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included. The meal happens after you visit the Colossi of Memnon and before the felucca sail on the Nile.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying on a cruise ship?

Yes, hotel pickup is available from anywhere in Luxor, including cruise ships. If you're staying on the West Bank, pickup there is available for an extra cost of $5 per person.

Do temple entrance fees come with this tour?

No, entrance fees to the temples are not included and must be purchased separately when you arrive at each site.