The sunrise balloon over Luxor's West Bank means a 4 am start. What the morning is like, sunrise and temperature by month, safety, and when it is worth the money.
For most visitors, yes, as long as you can face a 4 am pickup. The balloons go up around sunrise over Luxor's West Bank, above the temples, the Nile fields and the Valley of the Kings. On our trips it is optional, and where we list a price it is $120 per person. Skip it if your only Luxor morning is taken, or heights are not for you.
Key Takeaways
- It costs $120 per person on the packages where we list it as an add-on.
- Pickup is at around 4 am, with transfers included. Flights are shared with other passengers.
- Sunrise in Luxor ranges from about 5:27 am in April to 6:47 am in October, so the start time changes through the year.
- Winter mornings are cold. Luxor averages 43°F at night in January and 46°F in December.
- Flights depend on the weather. Egypt's civil aviation authority oversees ballooning in Luxor, and flights are called off when the wind makes them unsafe.
What the morning is like
You are picked up in the dark, at around 4 am, and taken to the launch site while the balloons are inflated. The flight itself happens as the sun comes up, over the West Bank: the fields along the Nile, the temples, and the desert hills that hide the Valley of the Kings.
On our cruise itineraries the balloon is scheduled for the morning you visit the West Bank. You return to the boat or hotel for breakfast and then see the same places on foot: the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. Seeing the layout from the air first makes the ground visit easier to follow.
Sunrise and temperature by month
| Month | Sunrise in Luxor (mid-month) | Average overnight low | Average daytime high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:37 am | 43°F | 73°F |
| March | 6:00 am | 53°F | 85°F |
| April | 5:27 am | 63°F | 96°F |
| June | 5:57 am | 74°F | 106°F |
| August | 6:22 am | 76°F | 106°F |
| October | 6:47 am | 65°F | 96°F |
| November | 6:06 am | 54°F | 84°F |
| December | 6:28 am | 46°F | 76°F |
Sunrise times are calculated for Luxor in local time. They jump later in May because Egypt moves its clocks forward from the end of April to the end of October. Temperatures are long-term averages from the World Meteorological Organization.
From November to March, bring a warm layer and gloves for the wait before take-off. Our guide to what to wear in Egypt covers the rest. In summer the flight is the coolest part of the day.
Is it worth $120?
| It is worth it if | Skip it if |
|---|---|
| It is your first time in Luxor and you want to see how the West Bank fits together | Your only Luxor morning starts with an early flight or a long drive |
| You like photography. Sunrise light over the Nile is hard to beat | You are uneasy with heights, or standing in a basket for the whole flight |
| Your itinerary already has a West Bank morning, so the balloon costs no extra time | You are on a tight budget and would rather spend $120 on a site ticket or a guide |
Is it safe?
Balloon flights over Luxor have run since the late 1980s, and Egypt's civil aviation authority oversees them. The authority has grounded flights for safety reviews after accidents. The worst was in February 2013, when 19 people were killed after a fire broke out on board. Since then, the practical rule for travelers is simple: flights go only when the weather allows. If the wind is too strong, the morning's flights are cancelled, so do not plan the balloon for a morning you cannot spare.
How to fit it into your trip
- On the 7 Days Pyramids of Giza & Nile Cruise trip, it is on the last morning in Luxor, before the West Bank tour.
- On the 7-Day Luxury Nile Cruise package and the 10-Day Egypt Package from the USA, it is a $120 add-on.
If your trip has more than one morning in Luxor, book the balloon for the first one. If the flight is cancelled for wind, there is still another chance.
Where to start
Tell us which morning you will be in Luxor, and we will tell you whether the balloon fits without cutting into anything else.
