Egypt is an amazing country to visit. We are so glad we went when we did as, despite the occasional tummy trouble, it was incredible to actually see the pyramids, visit some amazing temples and cruise the Nile River.
Luxor was the city where we took our first ever Hot Air Balloon ride. Not that we have had many, only two in fact. The second one was in Cappadocia in Turkey. Both experiences are recommended!
We had seen the balloons on the morning of our arrival into Luxor. Our arrival at the Steigenberger Nile Palace hotel had been very early from Cairo (the flight departed at 4am!), and the balloons were floating over The Nile River as we had our breakfast. It was an amazing sight and we were excited for our upcoming balloon experience.
The Adventure Starts
It was an early start on the day of the balloon adventure. We were ferried across the Nile River from the hotel in a small boat, and served coffee to help us wake up. On arriving on the western bank we were collected by a minivan and driven to the launch site. The balloons were still being inflated and dawn was barely visible on the horizon.
The balloon support staff looked everyone up and down to assess our weight, and then divided us amongst balloons. They helped us into the baskets so that our collective weight was evenly distributed. I hadn’t been aware previously that the basket of a hot air balloon is actually segmented into eight sections for passengers (and one for the pilot). I imagine this is to stop us all running from one side of the basket to the other and upsetting the balance whilst in the air.
Climbing into the basket wasn’t graceful, and I strongly recommend wearing pants, leave the skirts in your hotel room. I was already slightly concerned about how nimbly I would be able to exit the basket at the end of the trip. But that was a worry for later.
Lift Off
The sun was now starting to lighten the sky and we lifted off. The pilot quipped that this was his first flight, immediately followed by numerous reassurances. The first thing we noticed is the noise of the gas burners. It’s not everyday you have a super strength gas flame almost within arm’s distance. The second thing we noticed is how peaceful it is once you are drifting along with the burners off. It is so quiet!
It didn’t take too long to get a good elevation. We floated over Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile River and had a great view of the Mortuary Temple of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut with its impressive columns lining its three terraces. We had visited this temple as part of our tour of the Valley of the Kings whilst in Luxor, so it was great to see it from above.
Aerial View of Luxor’s Surrounds
As we drifted along, we saw ladies carrying baskets on their heads as they walked along dusty streets. We could see into the gardens of houses and sailed over farms green with crops. The houses appear unfinished, and this is because in Egypt at the time unfinished houses were not subject to certain taxes. So most properties had an unfinished top floor. Recent tax reforms are changing this.
The sunrise was so pretty and the sun lit up the sandy hills as it rose. Around us were dozens of other balloons. It was magical! There wasn’t a single person on board who wasn’t captivated by the experience. The balloon moved so gracefully, and the views were enchanting.
Sugarcane Landing
Eventually, what goes up must come down and landing was an event in itself, and hilarious. We were close to ending up in an irrigation channel, but the hard working support crew were able to manoeuvre us up and out, and instead we landed in amongst a crop of sugarcane. Children from nearby houses ran to greet us on the edge of the field. Exiting the basket was everything I imagined it would be.
We celebrated our balloon adventure with a champagne and chicken breakfast on the edge of the sugarcane fields whilst the support crew folded and packed away the enormous balloons. We returned to our accommodation the way we had come, by van then on a boat across the Nile River. And in time for another breakfast in our accommodation!
If you get the opportunity to explore Egypt, no matter how tired you are on reaching Luxor, you must take the balloon ride. We did it on our last day in Luxor, and the advantage was that we recognised some of the sights that we’d already visited and learned about. It made it more meaningful for us, so perhaps consider this when you book your own balloon adventure.