As the first rays of light sweep over the Theban hills, a silent spectacle rises in the Luxor sky: hot-air balloons bloom like high altitude flowers above the temples and palm groves. To experience a hot-air balloon flight in Luxor is to experience a moment of suspension, a fresh look at Egypt’s thousand-year-old history, and a serene interlude in an often fast-paced itinerary.
A unique experience in the silence of the sky
Departure is well before dawn. You have to get up early – very early. It stings a little, but the excitement soon wins out. By the light of a few torches, we reach the pier to cross the Nile to the west bank. Hot coffee in hand, we wait for everyone to arrive. The crossing is short and silent.
On the other side, the scene is astonishing: an impressive line of vans awaits passengers. We’re clearly not alone. Everything is well organized, but we still have to wait: the vehicles leave in convoy, flanked by the police to guarantee safety all the way to the take-off site.
On site, the hot-air balloons slowly come to life. The canvases inflate slowly, with a dull roar punctuated by great sprays of fire.
The atmosphere is breathtaking. Groups form up, safety instructions are given, then everyone climbs into their basket. The ground team holds the ball firmly in place. All set. A few more seconds… and lift-off.
We’re the first to leave the ground. Soon, the landscape opens up before our eyes: temples, fields, the mountains of the western shore. The sky turns pink. The silence is total. It’s a magical sight.
As you gain altitude, the landscape gently unfolds. Hatshepsut’s temple is carved into the rock like a work of art sculpted from the mountain itself. A little further on, Madinat Habu and the Colossi of Memnon emerge from the golden mist, motionless silhouettes watching over the still-sleeping plain.
The Valley of the Kings can be seen in the folds of the Theban chain, carved into the hillside, discreet and solemn. The low-angled light underlines the contours of the desert, outlines the fields and makes the crops sparkle. Below, the Nile meanders slowly, lined with palm trees, small flat-roofed villages and precisely cultivated patches of green.
Everything seems calm, slow and harmonious. And in this suspended silence, you can fully appreciate the beauty of the place. Luxor seen from above is another way of experiencing Egypt.
After a long, silent float, the pilot begins the descent. We fly over a few houses, palm groves, dirt roads… then it’s time to look for a suitable landing area. We have to deal with the wind, crops and power lines. The balloon glides gently, hesitates, then heads for an open area between two sugarcane fields.
New instructions are given, and the passengers hang on. On the ground, the recovery team is hard at work: the men grab the ropes and stabilize the gondola as soon as it touches down. It takes a few seconds for the balloon to calm down, for the canvas to fall gently. Then each man in turn descends, a little dazzled, a little stunned, but above all, amazed.
The flight is over. But the memory will hang on for a long time to come. We slowly return to terra firma. After exchanging a few smiles, we climb back into the van and head for the pier. The Nile is calm, the morning light brighter. We cross again by boat, the fresh wind on our faces, still a little elsewhere.
In the sky, a few hot-air balloons still float, ending their flight in a golden light. Back to the hotel, a little tired but with a light heart. Egypt has just given us one of its most beautiful awakenings.
Good to Know
- Total duration of activity: approx. 3 hours (transfer, briefing, flight, return)
- Times: very early start, between 4 and 5 a.m. depending on the season
- Conditions: flight subject to weather conditions; in the event of cancellation, a refund or postponement will be offered.
- Price: from €80 to €100 per person (depending on options and service provider)
A hot-air balloon flight over Luxor may only last an hour, but it leaves a lasting impression. It’s a suspended moment, a fresh look at Egypt, far from the crowds and the hustle and bustle. It’s a simple, luminous experience that gives the journey a new depth.
If you’d like to include this flight in your Egypt itinerary, contact us for a no-obligation personalized proposal, or discover our 8-day Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs tour.
