Is a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor Worth It?

Is a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor Worth It? (An Honest Review)

In case you are planning your trip to Egypt, there is one thing you will probably see in many pictures of your destination country – the sight of numerous bright-colored balloons flying easily above the golden sands of the desert, rocky limestone hills and the meandering green line of the Nile River in the early morning.

Of course, if you want to have a good time, you should always keep in mind that nothing is always as perfect as it may seem in the pictures. So, the obvious question appears – is it really worth the hype? Is it actually safe? Or maybe it is not even worth your time and effort?

As someone who has looked beyond the hype and tried it personally, I decided to give you my honest opinion about the Luxor hot air balloon ride.

The Short Answer: Yes, Absolutely

Let's put things into perspective straightaway: Yes, this definitely is 100% worth it.

In fact, among experienced tourists who have seen all kinds of ruins across the world, the balloon flight in Luxor is one of those highlights of their Egypt trip which gets unanimous votes for being the most memorable experience of all times. Not only is it entertaining from a photographic point of view, but it changes your whole perception of the historical past.

But nothing is ever perfect. And to help you see it from an absolutely objective angle, here come the pros and cons.

The Pros: What Makes It So Special?

1. A Life-time Perspective
Luxor is well-known as the greatest open-air museum on earth. However, when you walk around the East and West Banks, you see big columns, inscriptions of hieroglyphs and deep tombs. It is difficult from the earth perspective to understand how vast the ancient plans were.

When you float up at one thousand feet in the air at sunrise time, everything becomes clear. What you see is the precise border line made by the ancient Egyptians, who separated the life and eternity. The fertile green color of the East Bank where the sun rises is sharply divided by the dry limestone rocks of the West Bank where the sun goes down. From this high point of view, you can appreciate the works of architecture of Hatshepsut temple and the Colossi of Memnon.

2. Complete Surprise Serenity
If you are apprehensive about heights or scared of roller coaster type of drops, you should not be. Hot air ballooning is quite serene.

Since the balloon travels at the very same speed and direction as that of the wind, there is absolutely no resistance from the wind. As soon as you take off, you will feel that there is not even the slightest movement around you. The earth moves past below you as if it was an alive map. The only sound you will hear is a magnificent roar of the propane burners operating in the skies, followed by an absolute silence.

3. Pure Local Flavor
As you float up in the skies, your pilot will most certainly bring you down by using a current of wind that flows at a lower altitude. You will float down to such an extent that you will be able to see some small villages of farmers, sugar cane plantations, and some mud-brick houses. Seeing local children come out of their courtyard to wave and cheer for you with a shout of "Welcome to Egypt" will surely give you warm touch.

The Cons: The Realities to Keep in Mind

It’s only fair to note a couple of small issues in advance to avoid any disappointment during the process of booking:

1. The Unpleasant Alarm Clock
In order to witness the breathtaking sunrise, your pick-up will take place around 4-5 AM. In case you are too exhausted from visiting numerous temples on the previous day, early morning alarm is sure to be annoying. (A hint: The second you feel the fresh air and the sky above your head, you will totally forget about exhaustion.)

2. Weather Conditions
Hot air balloons are completely dependent on weather conditions. In case of strong winds or bad visibility, aviation authority will ban all flights. It means there is always a chance of cancellation of the flight right before it.

How to deal with it: You should always book a hot air balloon tour for your very first morning in Luxor. In case your flight gets canceled due to the weather, you will have other opportunities to do it again. In case you decide to do it on your last day, you may lose your opportunity forever.

3. Basket Sharing
The standard basket of the commercial hot air balloons will accommodate about 12 to 24 people at a time, depending on the number of separate sections available on the basket, located around the central burner. Although everyone will get an excellent view from the edge of the basket, you are not going to fly alone. For a really private trip, regular balloon flights are not your choice.

Is It Safe?

Safety is obviously one of the most pressing concerns that people may have. The Egyptian authorities have very strict rules governing the balloon industry in Luxor. The launch pads are scheduled according to wind patterns; the pilots are licensed professionals with a lot of flying experience, and the operators go through tough inspections.

Even if accidents are extremely rare, it is better to pick a reputable operator with good safety records and reviews, rather than searching for the cheapest deal.

Final Verdict: Book It

There is always something optional, something which is just meant for tourists, or some experiences that have been blown out of proportion when described.

But then comes a hot air balloon ride over Luxor. And it does not fail to meet the high standards set by its reputation. It will be humbling to see that great pink and golden sky above and see that mighty river flowing below, which has nurtured humanity for thousands of years.

So, if you are planning a visit to Luxor, there is no way that you can talk yourself out of it. Go ahead and book your ticket now. It will all be worth every penny.