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April 3, 2025Be warned, hot air balloon rides take place before sunrise so that you can experience the beautiful spectacle from an entirely new and unique perspective.
For several years, whenever I have been invited to attend a wedding in a place I’ve never been to before (read about Hawaii and Mexico here), I have tried to take a few extra days to explore the region if I can. So, while planning a trip to Egypt for a friend’s wedding a few years ago, I tacked on some time and chose to travel from Cairo to Luxor to learn about the history and culture of the city.
Before my trip, I looked into the various temples and other sites to visit and booked some guided excursions to make the most of my time there and to learn as much as possible in a short time. Apart from the tours, the one thing I was keen to experience while in Luxor was a ride in a hot air balloon so I went about finding and booking one for my second morning. Hot air balloon trips and other tours in Luxor can be booked via platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator based on your preferences and budget.
Be warned, hot air balloon rides take place before sunrise so that you can experience the beautiful spectacle from an entirely new and unique perspective. Based on the time of year, that means you will be picked up from your hotel by the tour company anywhere between 3-5 am. I was there in May when they days are long and the sun rises early and so I was waiting for my ride in the hotel lobby at the crazy hour of 3:00am! The balloon ride was due to start at 4:00am! After a short drive from the hotel, I boarded a small boat along with the other passengers to go across the Nile to the balloon take-off location. On the boat we were served a simple breakfast of cake, cookies and coffee and told a little bit about what to expect over the next couple of hours.
Once we arrived at the site, we were greeted by scores of balloons being inflated and prepped with the huge flames being lit and various groups gathering around for the start of the ride. It was an incredible sight, seeing the huge balloons go from being flat mounds on the ground to huge vehicles, capable of carrying close to 30 passengers for an hour long ride across the Luxor landscape!
Once in, we we briefed on safety procedures and taught the brace position that we would need to adopt at the time of landing
When they were finally ready to, my group was led to our designated balloon (each balloon is operated by a different company, and each tour group is affiliated with various operators) and guided into the basket that would hold us for the duration of the trip. Getting in to the basket was an interesting feat. It involved climbing up a small step ladder and then swinging one leg over the (pretty high!) side of the basket before hoisting yourself up and over in a way that no on would every describe as graceful! But we all made in it and landed on our feet.
Once in, we we briefed on safety procedures and taught the brace position that we would need to adopt at the time of landing (this is similar to what I experienced in Cappadocia as well, and you can read about that balloon ride here.)
Our balloon was helmed by a seasoned pilot who manned the flame, expertly heating the air in bursts as he navigated the changing wind direction and currents, and a guide who would point out noteworthy sites on the ground below. After a smooth takeoff, assisted by a team of men pushing the basket and manipulating its tether ropes as we caught the perfect gust of wind to rise up, we were off! As the balloon started to rise, the feeling was something akin to a roller coaster a quick flip-flop in my stomach which repeated every time we hit an air pocket and the balloon would rise or drop suddenly. It felt akin to sudden turbulence on an airplane, but the overall experience and the breathtaking views around us almost entirely cancelled it out!
Our ride, which was extremely smooth for the most part, with not too many of the aforementioned bumps, took us over the landscape of Luxor and the Nile, and as we floated along in the sky surrounded by other balloons, our knowledgeable guide pointed out various important landmarks including the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the second woman to rule Egypt in her own right and the famed Valley of the Kings, which was on the schedule for later that day (read about the rest of my trip to Luxor here). We also passed over some residential areas and were able to see the homes of the local population.
As promised, the sun began to rise about halfway through our ride and as the sky began to light up with hues of red and orange, it took my breath away. Finally, after an educational and fun ride it was time for our pilot to set our balloon down safely. Balloon landings take place at different locations based literally on where the wind takes us, and the guide in the air was coordinating with the team on the ground to ensure they would be waiting at our potential landing site to take us back to our respective hotels. We finally set down in a field close to a road and after disembarking the balloon basket we were greeted by the ground team, handed certificates for our flight and glasses of non-alcoholic champagne to toast the successful journey.
Hot air balloon rides are gaining popularity across global destinations with Cappadocia in Turkey and Morocco being known for them. In Luxor too, the ride is well worth waking up before dawn for, and if you can fit it in to your schedule, it’s something you will always remember!
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Disha
Disha is a former corporate lawyer with a flair for writing. As an avid traveller, she is always seeking new adventures and loves telling stories about her globe trotting.
