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

Sunrise balloon over Luxor then ancient tombs and temples all day

You’ll start your day floating above Luxor at sunrise in a hot air balloon, then explore ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist guide. Walk among pharaoh statues at Karnak Temple and see Queen Hatshepsut’s cliffside sanctuary. Expect moments of quiet wonder—and maybe a laugh or two—before heading back full of stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot air balloon and Luxor sightseeing

• Sunrise hot air balloon ride
• Check out and start West Bank tour
• Visit 3 tombs in Valley of the Kings
• See Tomb of Ramses III
• See Tomb of Ramesses IX
• See Tomb of Merneptah
• Optional visit Tomb of Tutankhamun
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple complex
• Walk Avenue of Sphinxes
• See Obelisk of Thutmose I
• Visit Luxor Temple

The Experience

I didn’t really sleep the night before — too wound up thinking about floating over Luxor at dawn. Turns out, you don’t need coffee when you’re standing in a field before sunrise, watching flames fill a hot air balloon. The air smelled faintly like burnt sugar from the fuel, and our pilot grinned as we clambered into the basket. When we lifted off, it was dead quiet except for a few birds and someone’s nervous laugh (maybe mine). The Valley of the Kings looked unreal from up there — patchwork earth and shadows where pharaohs still sleep. I kept blinking to make sure it wasn’t just a dream.

After landing (a bit bumpier than I expected), we met our guide, Ahmed. He had this dry sense of humor — he called the Colossi of Memnon “the original Egyptian bouncers.” We drove through Luxor’s West Bank in an air-conditioned van, which was honestly a relief because by 8am it was already heating up. At the Valley of the Kings, Ahmed helped us pick which tombs to enter (I went for Ramses III and Merneptah; Tutankhamun’s was extra but worth it if you’re into that sort of thing). The walls inside were still bright with color — blues and ochres that somehow survived centuries underground. It smelled a little dusty but not musty, more like sun-baked stone than anything else.

I tried to pronounce “Hatshepsut” correctly at her temple — Ahmed laughed and said even locals argue about it. The place itself is wild: terraces cut right into pink cliffs, with stray cats napping in the shade. Lunch came just when I needed it (rice, grilled chicken, lots of bread), and I remember being surprised how good tomatoes taste here. Afterward we saw Karnak Temple’s columns — so many you lose count — and finally Luxor Temple as evening crept in. My legs were tired but my head was buzzing with stories about gods turning into animals or kings who ruled at age ten.

Looking back now, I can still feel that weird mix of awe and calm from drifting over those tombs at sunrise. If you want one day in Luxor that feels like several lifetimes packed together — this is probably it.

Top questions

What does the hot air balloon ride over Luxor include?

The ride includes hotel pickup before dawn, flight over the Valley of the Kings at sunrise, and return transport to continue your day tour.

Are entrance fees included for all sites?

No, entrance fees are not included; expect around 750 EGP extra (cash) for main sites.

Is lunch provided during this Luxor day tour?

Yes, lunch is included after visiting several monuments on both banks.

How many tombs do you visit in Valley of the Kings?

You’ll visit three tombs chosen with advice from your Egyptologist guide; Tutankhamun’s tomb is optional with extra fee.

Who leads this tour in Luxor?

A licensed Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout the day for context and recommendations.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are both included in this package deal.

How long does the whole tour last?

The tour lasts a full day starting before sunrise for the balloon ride and ending after sunset visits to temples.

What should I bring on this tour?

Bring cash for entrance fees (around 750 EGP), water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and maybe something light for early morning chill.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup for a sunrise hot air balloon ride above Luxor’s West Bank, followed by guided visits to key sites like Valley of the Kings (with entry to three tombs), Queen Hatshepsut’s temple, Karnak Temple, Colossi of Memnon, lunch at a local restaurant, all ground transport by air-conditioned vehicle throughout Luxor’s East and West Banks—and finally drop-off back at your hotel when your head is spinning with history.