Full-day tour: sunrise balloon ride, Valley of the Kings and Karnak

The day starts in the dark on Luxor’s West Bank. Your balloon lifts off as the sky turns gold, and for 45 minutes to an hour you float over the Theban hills, the temples and the green fields along the Nile. Every passenger receives a flight certificate.

After landing, your Egyptologist guide takes you to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then across the river to Karnak and Luxor Temple.

Pickup and return are from your hotel or Nile cruise in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the balloon ride and every entrance ticket are already paid.

Is the Luxor balloon and both banks tour right for you?

This is the fullest day we offer in Luxor. It suits travelers who want the view from above and the great sites on the ground in a single day: a hot air balloon flight of 45 minutes to an hour, then the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak and Luxor Temple.

Seeing the West Bank from the air first helps you understand the landscape of ancient Thebes before you walk it. Your Egyptologist then fills in the history, which you can explore further in UNESCO’s Ancient Thebes listing. Every passenger receives a flight certificate.

The day starts in the dark, so lay out warm layers the night before: early mornings can feel cool even when the afternoon is hot. Wear flat, comfortable shoes, and bring a hat, sunscreen and a charged phone or camera for the sunrise.