Balloon ride over Egypt's treasures in Luxor

Balloon ride over Egypt's treasures in Luxor

Flight • Adventure • Adventure Travel

from AGE ™ Travel Magazine
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Weightless in the land of the pharaohs!

Impressive, timeless, weightless. A hot air balloon flight is an adventure in itself. How about if you could also fly over ancient temples? That is exactly what is possible in Luxor, the well-known cultural city of Egypt. Early in the morning several hot air balloons start at the same time on the west bank of the Nile. Even from the ground, this spectacle is wonderful to behold. You are guaranteed a box seat in the basket of the hot air balloon. Here you will watch as Egypt awakens, as the first rays of the sun break the horizon and the round disc of the sun god Ra takes its rightful place. Of course, a balloon ride in Egypt has even more highlights to offer than a romantic sunrise. Would you like a view of the Nile from above? A flight to the Valley of the Kings? Or the Luxor Temple from a bird's eye view? Everything is possible. The wind direction determines the exact flight route. No matter in which direction the wind blows you, there are plenty of exciting prospects. Eventually your hot air balloon will end up somewhere in the middle of nowhere or, as in our case, right next to an old statue.


“The fire hisses above us. Last calls are exchanged. Then the pilot gives a signal. The big moment has come. Almost imperceptibly, the ground begins to move away from us. With the hissing sound of the burner, the balloon rises, leaves the earth and slips away gently into the morning sky. On the horizon we discover a glittering blue - the Nile. But the wind has other plans. We slowly drift across the green sugar cane fields of the Nile Valley and enjoy the first rays of sun that greet the day. The mood is unique because below us, above us and next to us we are accompanied by other colorful balloons. Then the first Egyptian temple comes into view.”

AGE ™

Africa • Arabia • Egypt • Luxor • Hot air balloon flight in Egypt

Experience a balloon ride in Egypt

Luxor Egypt Hot Air Balloon Flight Deals

Balloon flights in Luxor are offered by several operators. The balloon sizes or basket sizes may differ. The flight duration is mostly similar. Both group tours and private tours are possible. An experienced balloon pilot and a provider who puts the safety of the passengers first is particularly important. It makes sense to read reviews beforehand and compare the offers.

AGE™ took a hot air balloon flight with Hod Hod Soliman Hot Air Balloon:
Established in 1993, Hod Hod Soliman was the first hot air balloon operator in Luxor to regularly operate tourist balloon rides. Today the company has 30 years of experience and 12 balloons in different sizes to offer. Most of its pilots also hold a balloon instructor license. That convinced us. We wanted to fly with the original. With those who train others.

On a sunrise balloon flight, AGE™ was able to enjoy views of the Nile, the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut, among others. Organization and material were very good and our pilot "Ali" flew excellently. Several changes in altitude offered interesting perspectives, rotating the balloon around its own axis gave every guest a 360° all-round view and the landing was spectacular, gentle and unerring - right in front of a large Ramses statue. Skill is skill. The group size was 16 people, with 4 people always having their own small basket. We really enjoyed the balloon ride over Egypt's cultural sites and felt safe and well looked after.

Africa • Arabia • Egypt • Luxor • Hot air balloon flight in Egypt

Luxor hot air balloon flight experience


Sightseeing vacation recommendation travel experiencesA special experience!
Have you been dreaming of an exciting hot air balloon ride for a long time? Fulfill your dream in Egypt. Enjoy the sunrise and views of Egyptian temples on an unforgettable balloon flight in Luxor!

Offer Price Cost Admission Sight Travel How much does a balloon ride in Egypt cost?
Balloon flights in Luxor are offered between 40 euros per person and 200 euros per person. Price varies based on time of year, start time (with or without sunrise), group size, and provider. The transfer from your accommodation to the starting point and back is usually included. Please note possible changes.
View more information
• Group tour approximately 1 hour in the air
– 40 to 150 euros per person
• Private tour approximately 1 hour in the air
– from 190 euros per person
• Usually an early sunrise flight and a later flight are offered.
• The low season is often cheaper than the high season.

• Prices as a guide. Price increases and special offers possible.

As of 2022. You can find current prices from Hod Hod Soliman here.


Planning time investment sightseeing vacationHow much time should I plan?
The balloon ride itself, i.e. the time in the air, will take around 1 hour. Depending on the wind and weather conditions, it can be as little as 45 minutes or the flight can even be extended. In total, you should plan with roughly 3 hours. This includes the transfer to the take-off point, waiting for take-off permission, inflating and erecting the balloon, the flight itself, and after landing, folding the balloon and transporting it back.

Restaurant Cafe Drink Gastronomy Landmark VacationIs there food and toilets?
A hot drink is served as a welcome during the short Nile crossing to the official starting point of the hot air balloons. Both tea and coffee are available. Meals are not included. There are no toilets.

Maps route planner directions sightseeing vacationWhere does the balloon flight take place in Egypt?
Egypt's cultural city of Luxor is known for hot-air balloon tours. Luxor is centrally located in Upper Egypt on the east bank of the Nile. The city is around 700 km from Cairo. However, the official launch point for hot air balloons is outside of the city of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile, about five minutes from the river. Small boats run regularly as ferries. For hot air balloon tours, the transfer by minibus and boat crossing is usually included.

Nearby attractions Maps route planner vacationWhat sights can you see on a balloon flight?
This is very dependent on the wind direction. If the wind blows towards the east, then you fly over it Nil, the largest river and lifeline of Egypt. On the other side of the river you float over the roofs of the City of Luxor. Typical sights in this area are the Luxor Temple, the Street of the Sphinx and the Karnak Temple.
On our balloon flight, the wind instead pushes the hot air balloon west. Right after the balloon launch, AGE™ gets a glimpse of the Nile, then we float away over green ones Fields of the Nile Valley. Sugar cane, field workers, dried tomatoes and donkeys in small backyards. From a bird's eye view, we get new, exciting insights into everyday life life of people Egypt. The abrupt transition from the lush green of the Nile valley to the barren brown of the desert is impressive. They are short Colossi of Memnon to see, then let's enjoy it Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, also called Habu Temple, the Hatshepsut Temple and Ramesseu from above. From the air we can see the desert landscape from the Valley of the Nobles to the Valley of the Kings.

Good to know


Background knowledge ideas landmarks vacationHow does a hot air balloon tour in Luxor work?
Usually you will be picked up directly at your accommodation and taken to the starting point. If you live on the east side of the Nile, i.e. in Luxor or Karnak, then crossing the Nile with a small boat is included. Some providers serve tea and coffee as a welcome and there is a safety briefing for flight and landing. You can watch the construction on site while everyone is waiting for permission to start. It's exciting to see how the huge shells stand up and glow in the firelight.
After the official OK, the big moment has come. All aboard. The ground gently moves away, your balloon gains height and you fly. Then it's time to marvel and enjoy. After about an hour, depending on the wind, your captain will look for a suitable landing site. You usually sink gently to the ground, but rough landings are also possible. How to hold on to the basket correctly will be discussed before take-off and the pilot will give instructions in good time. Afterwards you will be brought back to your accommodation or you can stay on the east bank and visit the temples and tombs on your own.

Background knowledge ideas landmarks vacationIs a sunrise balloon ride worth it?
The pick up time for the first flight is between 3.30am and 5am. Depending on the season and the location of the hotel. Middle of the night. AGE™ still thinks it's worth it. It is wonderful to see how the sun slowly moves up the horizon and bathes the landscape below you in a delicate morning light. Be there live when Egypt awakens. If you don't want to miss out on this experience either, confirm at the time of booking that you will be assigned to the early group for a sunrise tour.

Background knowledge ideas landmarks vacationHow big are the groups in the balloon at Luxor?
Group size varies depending on provider and demand. There are baskets for up to 32 people. AGE™ flew in a 16 person basket, with 4 people each having their own compartment. With some providers, large baskets are divided so that there are no crowds and everyone has a clear view. If you prefer a private flight, this is also possible in Luxor. Talk to the provider you trust about it. Many also offer private balloon tours, for example in small 4-person baskets, for an additional charge.

Background knowledge ideas landmarks vacationIs a balloon flight in Luxor safe?
Anyone researching the Internet is quickly unsettled by the balloon crashes in Luxor in 2013 and 2018. Nevertheless, ballooning is statistically significantly safer than driving a car. Each balloon must also await official take-off clearance from Luxor International Airport. This will not be granted in dangerous weather conditions. If the conditions change during the flight, the pilot's experience is important for a safe landing.
For this reason, it makes sense not only to compare prices, but also to take into account comments regarding the material and experience of the pilots. The reputation of the balloon company as well as current ratings will help in the decision. In the end, gut feeling counts: fly with whom you feel safe.

Background knowledge ideas landmarks vacationWhat can and cannot be guaranteed?
The starting place is the same for all providers. The exact flight route and flight length depends on the wind. In exceptional cases, it can unfortunately happen that the international airport issues take-off permission late. Normally, however, the timing is perfectly designed for the sunrise. If the wind or weather conditions are surprisingly bad, a flight is unfortunately impossible. In this case, no take-off permission will be granted. Usually your money will be refunded promptly and a replacement flight will be offered. Safety first.

Exciting background information


Background information knowledge landmark vacationHistory of Balloon Flight
The first, still unmanned, hot air balloon rose into the air on June 4, 1783. The inventors were the Montgolfier brothers in France, who worked in a paper mill. On September 19, 1783, a ram, a duck and a rooster flew in the basket and landed safely. On November 21, 1783, the first manned flight took off and managed 9 km and 25 minutes.
French physicist Charles broke the brothers' records with a gas balloon: on December 1, 1783, he flew for two hours, 36 kilometers wide and 3000 meters high. In 1999, Bertrand Piccard from Switzerland and Brian Jones from Britain completed the first circumnavigation of the earth in a helium balloon in just under 20 days. They landed in the Egyptian desert on March 21st.

Let the AGE™ Egypt Travel Guide inspire you.


Africa • Arabia • Egypt • Luxor • Hot air balloon flight in Egypt

Enjoy the AGE™ Photo Gallery: Over the Land of the Pharaohs in a Hot Air Balloon

(For a relaxed slide show in full format, simply click on a photo and use the arrow key to move forward)

Africa • Arabia • Egypt • Luxor • Hot air balloon flight in Egypt

This editorial contribution received external support
Disclosure: AGE™ were given discounted or gratuitous services from Hod Hod Soliman Hot Air Balloon as part of the reportage. The content of the contribution remains unaffected. The press code applies.
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If the content of this article does not match your personal experience, we assume no liability. The contents of the article have been carefully researched and are based on personal experience. However, if information is misleading or incorrect, we assume no liability. Furthermore, circumstances can change. AGE™ does not guarantee topicality or completeness.
Source reference for text research
On-site information and personal experience on a hot air balloon ride with Hod-Hod Soliman near Luxor in January 2022.

Althoetmar, Kai (oD) Aviation. balloons. [online] Retrieved on 10.04.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: https://www.planet-wissen.de/technik/luftfahrt/ballons/index.html#Erdumrundung

Bayerischer Rundfunk (as of June 04.06.2022th, 18.06.2022) Montgolfier brothers. [online] Retrieved on XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: https://www.br.de/wissen/geschichte/historische-persoenlichkeiten/montgolfier-brueder-ballonflug-heissluftballon-fliegen-100.html

Hod-Hod Soliman Hot Air Balloon Luxor: Homepage of HodHod Soliman Hot Air Balloon Luxor. [online] Retrieved on 06.04.2022-XNUMX-XNUMX, from URL: https://hodhodsolimanballoons.com/

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