Luxor: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon & Private Ancient Sites Tour

Sunrise balloon flight over Luxor then ancient tombs, temples and Nile views

You’ll float over Luxor at sunrise in a hot air balloon, then walk through ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings with your Egyptologist guide. Stand beneath Hatshepsut Temple’s cliffs and see Medinet Habu’s carvings up close. With hotel pickup, meals, entry fees, and an overnight stay included. You’ll feel both awed and strangely at home among all that history.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Sand City Hurghada4h
2. Valley of the Kings1h · entry included
3. Temple of Hatshepsut1h · entry included
4. Colossi of Memnon15m
5. Medinet Habu1h · entry included

Day 1: Travel to Luxor and dinner

• Pickup from Hurghada hotel
• Travel to Luxor by private vehicle
• Meet Egyptologist guide
• Dinner at local restaurant
• Check in 4-star hotel

Day 2: Hot air balloon and West Bank tour

• Early pickup for hot air balloon flight
• Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Tour Medinet Habu temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return to Hurghada

The experience

I was already half-asleep when we left Hurghada, maybe 3pm? The drive to Luxor felt longer than I expected, but honestly, watching the desert shift colors out the window was its own kind of hypnotic. Our driver played old Egyptian pop on low volume. When we finally met our Egyptologist guide by the Nile (his name was Ahmed), he grinned and said something about “tomorrow’s magic.” Dinner tasted smoky and sweet? Eggplant I think? The hotel room overlooked the river. I could hear faint laughter from boats below as I tried to sleep early for the sunrise.

The balloon crew picked us up before dawn, which felt slightly cruel at first. But then you’re out there in the dark with other sleepy faces, and suddenly you’re floating above Luxor just as everything turns gold. It’s quiet except for bursts of flame from the balloon. Ahmed pointed out the Valley of the Kings below, tiny from up here, and you could see how close everything is: tombs, fields, little villages waking up. My hands were cold on the basket edge but I didn’t want to move them.

After landing (a bit bumpy), we headed straight for those tombs we’d seen from above. The Valley of the Kings is nothing like I pictured: more sun-bleached rock than Indiana Jones mystery, but stepping into those painted chambers hit me harder than I thought it would. Ahmed told stories about each pharaoh like he knew them personally. There was one moment inside Hatshepsut Temple where a breeze kicked up dust and it smelled almost sweet, like old stone and flowers? Maybe that’s just my brain filling things in.

We stopped at the Colossi of Memnon for photos (they really do look like they’ve been waiting forever), then Medinet Habu, which has these reliefs that still show bits of color if you squint right. Lunch after all that felt earned. Flatbread warm from the oven and something tangy with herbs. The drive back to Hurghada blurred together. I kept replaying that sunrise in my head, not sure if it really happened or if I dreamed it on the long road home.

What’s included

Your journey includes private hotel pickup from Hurghada or nearby resorts, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, an overnight stay at a 4-star hotel with breakfast and dinner overlooking the Nile, a sunrise hot air balloon flight above Luxor with expert crew, guided visits to Valley of the Kings (with entry to three tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon and Medinet Habu, all entrance fees covered, and lunch at a local restaurant before heading back home.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tour from Hurghada to Luxor, including a hot air balloon rideGuide in 6 languages · 00:00Pickup is included

East Bank add-onGuide in 6 languages · 00:00Karnak Temple with a felucca boat ride, pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Legacy Tour

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Is pickup from Hurghada included in this Luxor tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada (and nearby areas) are included.

What time does the sunrise hot air balloon flight start?

The exact pickup time is confirmed the evening before. Flights begin just before sunrise.

Are meals provided during this day trip to Luxor?

Yes, dinner on arrival, breakfast before the balloon flight, and lunch after touring are included.

Which sites are visited after the balloon ride?

You’ll visit Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, and Medinet Habu.

Is an overnight stay included in this Luxor tour?

Yes, a 4-star hotel overlooking the Nile is included for one night.

Can children join the hot air balloon ride?

No, children under 6 years old cannot join for safety reasons.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are entrance fees covered in this package?

All entrance fees to mentioned attractions are included in your booking price.