The ULTIMATE guide to Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor
Here’s everything you need to know before you take to the skies in a hot air balloon in Luxor. Am I writing this because I want a place to share our amazing photos? Well… maybe! But I’ll make this useful for you too, as we convince you to add this amazing activity to your itinerary. We’ll also cover what to expect from your hot air balloon ride in Luxor, what to look out for, how much you should be paying, and logistical information.
Hot air balloons over the Valley of the Kings
A LITTLE BACKGROUND...
Luxor is often called the world’s greatest open-air museum. But that doesn’t even come close to describing this incredible part of Egypt. Nothing in the world compares to the scale and grandeur of the Ancient Egyptian monuments that have survived from ancient Thebes.
From the Valley of the Kings on the west bank, to Luxor Temple and Karnak on the east, there’s so much to explore. But between the touts, traffic, and temperatures, Egypt can be an assault on the senses. What do you do when you need a breather?
Well, you go on a hot air balloon ride of course!
A hot air balloon ride over Luxor offers an unparalleled perspective. Drifting gently over the Nile River as the sun rises over ancient temples and tombs and the morning call to prayer echoes across the valley – it’s an unforgettable adventure! One that rivals the similar, but much more famous balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkiye.
Before you take to the skies, here’s everything you need to know about hot air ballooning in Luxor. Ready? Let’s go!
In a hurry? Jump to:
- The history of hot air ballooning in Luxor
- Why go on a hot air balloon in Luxor?
- How long does the experience last?
- How much does it cost?
- Are hot air balloons in Luxor safe?
- Are hot air balloons sustainable?
- Our experience
- Is a hot air balloon in Luxor worth it?
- What to expect
- What to look out for from the sky
- What to wear on your hot air balloon ride
- How to book
- FAQS
Filling the balloons with air
THE HISTORY OF HOT AIR BALLOONING IN LUXOR
When you take a hot air balloon ride in Luxor, you’re experiencing history, going back to a time of European “Egyptomania’, archaeology, and new discoveries. The first hot air balloon took off from Luxor in the late 1700s, piloted by French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard. Little did he know, he was planting the seeds for this iconic tourist activity in Luxor.
Hot air ballooning in Luxor didn’t really take off until the late 1900s. As tourist numbers in Egypt grew, so did the number of companies offering hot air balloon rides for a unique perspective on Ancient Thebes.
And hot air ballooning in Luxor remains a popular activity, with hundreds of travellers taking to the skies on a clear morning. The weather in Egypt is dry, with a slight breeze, and the mornings usually aren’t too cold. Perfect for ballooning!
Almost ready for take-off
WHY GO ON HOT AIR BALLOON IN LUXOR?
Hot air ballooning in Luxor is a great way to start any day in Ancient Thebes! Watching the sun rise over the Nile, golden rays splashing across monuments, temples, and the Valley of the Kings, is an incredible experience.
Here are three reasons we loved our hot air balloon experience in Luxor:
#1 VIEWS FOR MILES
Luxor is home to some of Egypt’s most iconic sites, including the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak Temple Complex, and the Colossi of Memnon. Hot air ballooning in Luxor provides a birds-eye view of all of these monuments.
Set against a backdrop of the lush greenery of the Nile and the golden sandy desert beyond, these ancient wonders take on a new dimension. You can appreciate their grandeur and scale in a way that’s impossible from the ground.
#2 THE BEST SUNRISE OF YOUR LIFE
Yes, you have to get up early. But my favourite part of our hot air balloon ride in Luxor was experiencing the sunrise over the desert.
Tour operators in Egypt are pros. They really know how to give you an experience to remember. And a ‘sunrise flight’ in a hot air balloon in Luxor is timed perfectly. You’ll be ascending right as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the temples and tombs below you, casting a golden glow over the city.
#3 A MOMENT OF TRANQUILLITY
Egypt is chaotic in the best possible way. But between the touts, the traffic, and the temperatures, we often felt frazzled and in need of a breather.
Taking to the skies in a hot air balloon in Luxor was the most peaceful and relaxing experience. The crisp morning air and harmony of the morning prayer echoing across the valley was a moment of tranquillity. It was a beautiful contrast with the excitement of exploring Luxor’s bustling streets and historical sites later in the day.
Views over Luxor’s Valley of the Kings
HOW LONG IS A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR?
Hot air balloon rides in Luxor usually last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. This can vary depending on weather conditions, wind speed and other air traffic (there are 20 or so other balloons up there with you, each doing their own thing!). The pilot also has to prioritise safety, so if they have to adjust the flight time or altitude to keep everyone safe, they will!
It might not seem like long, but ~45 minutes is plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking views of Luxor’s iconic landmarks. Your balloon will gently rotate, giving everyone on board a 360 degree view, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything.
When you factor in your hotel pick-up, pre-flight preparations, safety briefings, boarding, and landing procedures, you can expect the experience to last 2 to 3 hours in total.
HOW MUCH DOES A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR COST?
Hot air balloon rides in Luxor are relatively affordable compared to similar experiences in other parts of the world.
As with everything in Egypt, the price is flexible! Prices generally range from $35 to $150 USD per person. The basic cost will include your balloon ride, and transportation to and from your hotel as a minimum. However, the price may vary depending on:
- Flight time (longer flight = more expensive)
- Season (main tourist season = more expensive, off-season = cheaper)
- The company you book with
- Whether you book online or in-person (online = more expensive, in person = cheaper)
- How last-minute you book (often, you can negotiate a cheaper price if the flight isn’t booked-up the evening before)
- Any extras (hotel transfers, a light breakfast, a guided tour/commentary, they’ll all cost extra!)
- How many people are involved in your booking (everyone will take their cut!)
- How good you can haggle!
It may be tempting to opt for the lowest-priced option. However, it’s worth paying a bit more for a reliable and safe experience. Do your research, ask around, look into different operators, read reviews, and inquire about safety measures. Some companies have a better track record than others. Trust your gut, and if the vibe is off, don’t fly!
We flew with Cinderella Balloons, which we booked through our hotel. They had great tripadvisor reviews, and I felt very safe throughout the flight. Add to that that we were the first balloon up, and it was an incredible experience. If you’re looking for a place to start, you can check them out here.
Sunrise over Luxor and the Nile
ARE HOT AIR BALLOONS IN LUXOR SAFE?
I just said some companies have a better track record than others… but what does that mean? Are hot air balloon rides in Luxor safe?
Although accidents have happened, hot air balloon rides in Luxor are generally considered a safe activity. The hot air balloon industry in Luxor adheres to the strict safety regulations set by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. All pilots are required to have a licence. They also need to have enough experience in handling the balloons before they can fly tourists, and they need to follow all safety protocols.
Weather conditions also play a significant role in the safety of hot air balloon flights in Luxor. Most hot air balloon rides fly in the early morning, when weather conditions are more stable and visibility is good (it’s not too hazy!). If the weather conditions aren’t right, no balloons will fly. Simple.
Top tip: Book your hot air balloon flight for one of your first days in Luxor. If the weather conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered to postpone your flight until the next suitable day. Don’t wait until your last day in Luxor to book a balloon ride, as if the weather isn’t favourable, you’ll be disappointed.
Before your flight, you will receive a safety briefing. The pilot will explain what to do, and what not to do. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but listen carefully. Landing can be bumpy – I once got whiplash from a balloon landing in the U.K. – so it’s important to follow instructions here.
ARE HOT AIR BALLOONS IN LUXOR SUSTAINABLE?
Hot air balloons are powered by propane gas burners, which heat the air inside the balloon to create lift. So they aren’t 100% emission-free. However, propane is a clean-burning fuel that produces fewer emissions. And hot air balloons do have a relatively low carbon footprint compared to other forms of aerial tourism.
In Egypt, hot air balloon operators must follow specific environmental guidelines to minimise their impact on the local ecosystem. These guidelines include avoiding flying too close to bird nesting areas and maintaining a safe distance from historical sites. By adhering to these rules, ballooning companies help protect Luxor’s natural and cultural heritage.
Hot air balloons can also help reduce the pressures of wear and tear from foot traffic on historical sites in Luxor. By offering tourists an alternative way to experience these ancient wonders, hot air ballooning in Luxor helps to preserve monuments for future generations.
Here are more top tips and sustainable guides to help you reduce your impact:
- What is sustainable travel? (+ 23 tips to travel more sustainably!)
- Overtourism: what’s the solution?
- The Beginners’ guide to offsetting your carbon emissions and 5 things they don’t tell you about carbon offsetting…
- 10 sustainable swaps to pack for your next trip
- 7 tips to be eco-conscious in the outdoors
The balloon launch site
HOT AIR BALLOON IN LUXOR: OUR EXPERIENCE
We had a bit of a rocky start to our hot air balloon experience in Luxor. Originally, we’d booked through a friend of our felucca boat tour guide in Aswan. Everyone in Egypt seems to have a friend or family member that they can pass on contact details for. Once you’re in the country, it’s normally pretty easy to plan things!
But honestly, the vibes were weird from the start. And after getting up at 4am and waiting outside for over an hour in a pre-arranged location for a pick-up that never came, we decided to cancel. We booked a hot air balloon in Luxor through our hotel instead.
The next morning, at 4am, two minibuses turned up to pick us up. It turned out the first guy had just… forgotten to mention to anyone that we’d cancelled (despite us telling him at least 20 times that we didn’t enjoy being stood up, and no longer wanted to take his balloon trip). After a brief argument in Arabic between the drivers and several phone calls later, we ended up in the right minibus.
We picked up a few others and drove to the launch site. As we arrived, the balloons were ready, filled with hot air, and waiting to take off. We were ushered into the Cinderella, given a quick safety brief, and up we went!
The experience of a hot air balloon ride in Luxor was incredible. The Cinderella was the first balloon in the sky that day, and we rose just as the sun spilled its golden rays over the landscape. We watched the ~20 or so balloons fill up the sky along with us as the morning call to prayer echoed across the valley on the holy festival of Eid al-Fitr.
We floated, gaining and losing altitude, for ~50 minutes. The balloon gently rotated, so we could see all of the monuments we’d visited the day before. It was an adventure that will stay with me forever.
We felt incredibly taken care of at every stage, from the balloon being prepared when we arrived, to the very gentle landing, and the team that packed away the balloon afterwards. After the trip, we were dropped off back to our hotel. We took a quick nap, before heading out for the rest of the day to explore the Karnak Complex and Luxor Temple!
IS A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR WORTH IT?
Is a hot air balloon in Luxor worth it? Short answer: absolutely!
Long answer: seriously, why are you still considering this. A hot air balloon ride in Luxor is an experience to remember. The views are breathtaking, and it’s remarkably good value compared to the same activity elsewhere in the world.
The experience is magical, once-in-a-lifetime, and you can’t do it anywhere else. The only experience I can think of that comes close to this is the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkiye. You might not know its name, but you’ll have seen it on social media. It’s beautiful, but expensive and overrun with influencers.
If you’re visiting Egypt, book a hot air balloon ride in Luxor. I promise you won’t regret it.
Launching moments before the sun rise
WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR?
So, I’ve convinced you! Does that make me an influencer now…?
Jokes aside, here’s what to expect on your hot air balloon ride in Luxor.
1.
Booking: You can book your trip online, or in person. If you book in person, remember to pay either on pickup, or after the experience. It seemed to be seen as rude in Egypt to pay before the experience. Asking for cash up-front has high scam potential, you might not see a balloon ride, or your cash again.
2.
Pick-up: Your operator will arrange a time and place to meet you. Usually they will pick you up from your accommodation. Expect to wake up early! Pickup for a sunrise flight is between 4am and 5am. You’ll get driven to the take-off area, where it’s time for…
3.
…The flight: the moment you’ve been waiting for! Hop in your hot air balloon and take to the skies for up to an hour. Soaring above the monuments of ancient Thebes whilst the morning sun illuminates the landscape is an experience to remember. Keep reading for our favourite things to look out for.
4.
Landing: What goes up must come down, and the same goes for your balloon. With luck, it’ll be a smooth landing, but keep your head tucked in just in case, and don’t stand up until the pilot tells you. Sometimes the balloons can drag along the floor a little in stronger winds.
5.
Drop off: Afterwards, you’ll be driven back to your accommodation. The rest of the world will be waking up. It’s time to grab some breakfast and continue your sightseeing itinerary, wherever that may take you.
Fields and ancient monuments
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR ON YOUR HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR?
The best part of a hot air balloon ride in Luxor is all the things that you can see, dotted across the golden landscape below you. Here are five things to look out for when you take to the skies!
The Nile River: The lifeblood of Egypt, the Nile River winds its way through Luxor. From the air, you’ll see the contrast between the lush greenery of farms along the riverbanks and the golden, rocky desert beyond.
The Valley of the Kings: Home to the tombs of pharaohs and noblemen, the Valley of the Kings is one of Luxor’s most significant archaeological sites. Although they’re much more impressive from the inside (they were made to be hidden after all), seeing the valley from above is a good perspective on the scale and layout of the area.
The Temples: Luxor’s temples are among the most impressive in Egypt. From the sky, you’ll get a good view of the Karnak Temple Complex, with its massive columns and sprawling layout. You’ll also be able to see the smaller Luxor Temple in the town centre. The Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, with its many columns, are quite close to the take-off site. You should get a good view of these too.
Luxor and its surroundings: Beyond the ancient sites, you’ll also get a glimpse of everyday life in Luxor and the nearby rural villages. The patchwork of fields and the simple homes of the local farmers provide a contrast to the grandeur of the historical landmarks.
All the other balloons: Don’t just look down, look out too! Admire the view as dozens of other hot air balloons fill the sky with colours.
Balloons over the West Bank
WHAT TO WEAR ON YOUR HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR?
Egypt has a hot climate, but the crisp morning air, fresh breeze, and altitude can make a balloon ride in Luxor feel a bit nippy. Here are some recommendations for what to wear:
- Layered Clothing: Layers are perfect to adapt to temperature changes during the morning. I wore a light jumper and a light jacket. I ended up standing fairly close to the burners, which was warm enough that I needed to de-layer!
- Long Trousers: Egypt is a conservative country, and all genders will likely find it more comfortable to dress modestly with long trousers. This is particularly important on a hot air balloon ride, where you need to climb in and out of the balloon. I wore long, linen trousers which were perfect!
- Comfortable Shoes: Wear shoes with good grip as it’s important to be steady on your feet during launch and landing. I wore my birkenstock sandals and they were fine! Maybe skip the flip flops though…
- Scarf or Bandana: Consider bringing a lightweight scarf for an extra layer of warmth. I brought my scarf everywhere in Egypt, in case we went somewhere where women are expected to cover their hair.
- A small backpack: to carry essentials such as sunscreen, a camera, some water, and personal belongings.
As always, remember to check the weather forecast for Luxor on the day of your hot air balloon ride. Most likely it’ll be hot and dry, but dress appropriately!
HOW TO BOOK A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN LUXOR?
#1 BOOKING IN PERSON
As with everything in Egypt, booking in person is the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to find a hot air balloon ride in Luxor. Egyptians are incredibly hospitable. Even though we were travelling in a busy season, they’d always find a way to make things possible.
Literally everything in Egypt is done through WhatsApp. Your accommodation is sure to be able to book a hot air balloon on your behalf, or give you the number of an operator who can do this for you.
It can be hard to let go of the anxiety of not having a set plan, but booking in person almost always leads to lower prices, especially if you’re willing to negotiate or book last-minute.
Top tip: Never hand over money in advance. Most Egyptians would see it as impolite to ask for money until after you’ve enjoyed the service, and you’ll rarely be expected to pay a deposit. However, Egypt takes scams to the next level. If anyone asks for money upfront, insist on paying on pick-up, or after your balloon ride.
#2 BOOKING ONLINE
If you’re travelling during peak tourist seasons, or have a tight itinerary, booking a hot air balloon ride online before your trip can provide peace of mind and ensure you secure a spot
Many reputable companies offer online reservations, complete with detailed descriptions of their services, reviews from past customers, and transparent pricing.
However, we found online prices two to three times more expensive than booking in-person in Luxor, so be warned!
FAQs
Can I ride a hot air balloon in Luxor if I’m scared of heights?
Our hot air balloon rose over 100 metres. That said, it felt very safe and secure, and the ride wasn’t bumpy in any way. I can’t tell you if you should or shouldn’t take a hot air balloon ride in Luxor. Only you know if this is something you can manage.
Will we fly over the Valley of the Kings?
Hot air balloons don’t have any way of steering. The pilot can control the altitude, but the balloon will drift where the wind takes it. This means there’s no guarantee that you will fly over the Valley of the Kings. The balloons do take off really nearby though, so there’s a high chance!
Does a hot air balloon ride in Luxor set off from the East Bank or West Bank?
The hot air balloons in Luxor set off from the West Bank. We liked it more here than in the city centre on the east side, and based ourselves on the west bank throughout our trip. But if you’re staying on the East Bank, don’t worry! Your pick-up will collect you and drive over the Nile, or arrange a boat transfer and meet you on the west side of the city.
Is a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor worth it?
100%. A hot air balloon ride in Luxor is absolutely worth it. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Egypt!
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Alice
Alice is a UK travel blogger who advocates sustainable travel and being more eco-conscious on a budget. She loves coffee, her houseplants and summiting mountains.
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