Luxor hot air balloon ride: Desert temples sunrise view

You rise into the dark and watch the desert light up below you.

A hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise, with hotel pickup and return, takes three hours total and includes coffee, tea and a flight certificate. The balloon launches from the West Bank while the sky is still dark, so you see the sun break over the temples and the Nile from directly above. Children from age 6 are welcome. The company holds Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority certification and the pilot team has over 20 years of experience.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon ride at sunrise

• Hotel pickup by driver
• Transfer to launch site
• Hot air balloon ride over Luxor
• View sunrise and monuments

The experience

The pickup happens early. A driver collects you from your hotel and drives an air-conditioned vehicle to the West Bank launch site. You arrive before dawn. The balloon is prepared on the ground, and once you step into the basket, the pilot takes you up as the first light touches the horizon. From altitude, the temples of Luxor and the curve of the Nile come into focus gradually, their shadows lengthening across the desert as the sun rises. The flight itself is the experience. There are no stops or landings mid-air.

The whole outing (pickup, flight, return to your hotel) runs about three hours. Coffee or tea is served either before or after the flight, depending on the operator's schedule that morning. You receive a flight certificate as a record of the ride. The balloon is operated by a certified company, and safety protocols are built into every step.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• the hot air balloon flight at sunrise.
• coffee and/or tea.
• a flight certificate.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30Last departure this season: 10 Dec

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (11 to 75 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by King Tut Balloons

Is this one for you?The three-hour commitment means an early start, but it leaves the rest of your day free to explore Luxor's temples on the ground or rest at your hotel afterward. If you want to see the monuments from above without a full-day excursion, this fits the morning slot perfectly.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What time does the balloon launch?

The launch happens at sunrise, which means pickup from your hotel occurs in the dark, typically between 4 and 5 a.m. depending on the season. The exact time is confirmed when you book.

What exactly do you see from the balloon?

The Luxor temples and the Nile River spread out below as the sun rises over the desert. The vantage point is directly above the landscape, so you see the monuments and the river's curve from an angle you cannot get from the ground.

Is the flight bumpy or uncomfortable?

Hot air balloons rise and drift with the wind rather than move through turbulence. The ride is generally smooth. The company notes the experience is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the altitude and the early morning start.

What happens if the weather is bad on the morning of my flight?

Wind and weather conditions determine whether a flight can safely launch. The operator will reschedule your flight to another morning if conditions are unsafe on your booked date.