You’ve booked your trip to Egypt and have decided to add a trip to Luxor to your itinerary, and now you keep seeing things about the hot air balloon rides over Luxor, but you're not sure whether it’s really worth it or whether it’s just another tourist trap. Could it really be as amazing as it looks and sounds?
Whilst it would be easy to assume that, indeed, it is just a tourist trap, the evidence shows that this is not the case.
Starting with What to Expect on the Trip
Not great for those who do not like mornings, but this trip usually starts very early, around 4 a.m., as you leave your place of stay to catch the sunrise. It may be a shock to your system waking up and leaving that early, but even for those ‘non-morning people’ it won’t seem that bad once you’re there.
Sunrise views from a hot air balloon in Luxor
This adds to the whole experience as you get the unique opportunity of seeing the city in its sleepy atmosphere. At that time of morning, the only people you will see about are those who are on the way to or from the Mosque for their morning prayers, or the farmers off to start their morning routines. With a peaceful hum in the air and cooler temperatures, it creates a mysterious vibe, adding to the whole experience.
Seeing the sun pushing back the darkness, illuminating the Nile, the West Bank temples (Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon), desert, and farmland is enough to fill your hearts and quiet your mind. You can soak in how truly beautiful the country is and just how amazing the buildings are from a new perspective.
Scenic views of Luxor’s West Bank and lush farmland
Once up in the air, your guide will take you up and will explain what you can see in which direction, and as the glow of the morning sun lights up each destination and you start to feel the warmth from the daytime sun slowly heating up, you will stay in the air for a bit, floating above the city, and then slowly descend back to ground level.
Unique Experiences
This trip is the best way to get unique snapshots of you and the city. With a different perspective from the ‘normal’ traveller, you can add a flair of mystery to your shots with the right lighting behind you, and the lands below will look like a set from a movie.
From the air, you get sweeping panoramic views that you just can’t get on foot or by car: temples, the river, early morning life, and the desert all around. For many people, that alone makes the cost justified.
Is it Safe?
This is, of course, the number one question, and as it should be. In the past, there have been reports of accidents, but as with anything, there is a risk to bear in mind. However, as day-to-day operation goes, it is generally safe.
With stricter regulations to operate these excursions, it means that accidents are less likely to happen with only licensed pilots, oversight by Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority, routine equipment checks, and weather-related cancellations now standard.
What to Expect Cost-wise
One of the more affordable hot air balloon experiences in comparison to the popular Cappadocia, Turkey, prices do vary depending on the operator, time of year, size of the basket, etc., but many rides fall into budget or mid-range brackets.
Hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey
While relatively affordable, costs can still add up, especially if you choose a premium operator or add extras (private rides, better photo positions, etc.). If the experience doesn’t match what you expected (views, altitude, smooth ride), some people feel they didn’t get full value.
Popularity and Crowds
The only downside to the cost not being that high is that it does make it a very popular trip, which means crowds can be quite busy. This also depends on the time of year, with the summer being more popular than the winter due to warmer weather at that time of morning.
Busier crowds mean multiple balloons launch each morning, resulting in shared skies, sometimes crowded baskets, and varying quality across operators. Some reviews mention being crammed, or the balloon not rising high, or not seeing much because of positioning in the baskets.
Balloon launch crowds
Weather Dependent
You could say one of the cons of this trip is that whether it runs or not depends on the weather. If the wind is too strong or visibility is poor, flights will be cancelled. Sometimes at the last minute! That can mess with plans, especially if you only have one morning in Luxor.
Balloon in the mist
Also, don’t forget that Luxor is one of the hottest regions in Egypt, so in the summer, even at 5 a.m., the heat from the sun can be quite strong, something to consider if you have younger children with you.
Overall
So, what is the verdict overall? Although there are some downsides to this trip, it is mostly ‘upsides’ and is definitely recommended. The only real concerns would be for those who don’t like waking up early, and with regards to the crowds, also that it can be slightly unreliable due to the weather conditions of the day.
If your trip is very tightly scheduled, or you're especially bothered by early wake-ups or crowded tourist experiences, you might decide to spend that time or money elsewhere (e.g., exploring more temples, Nile scenery, etc.), but otherwise, I see no reason why you wouldn’t love floating above the city as it wakes up with the sun.
