Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor Egypt

Time & Place:

The hot air balloon ride in Luxor takes about an hour; of course the whole experience takes more than just an hour to arrive at the location of launch and to be prepared for the flight. But once you are in the air and flying over the Valley of the Kings you will know that you will never experience something like it in your life.

No wonder that Egypt and specially Luxor is in the top locations to take a hot air balloon rides in the world. Seeing the ancient world and the valley from the above will feel like heaven. 

You will also find plenty of room to take photos and feel comfortable during the one hour flight, you will be able to enjoy every single minute of it.

As you fly over the ancient world, the sun rises and gives even more magical view. 

Clothing & Weather:

Passengers should wear comfortable outdoor closing for the particular season and the time of the flight, as they will be flying at the same speed of the winds around them. Also for the shoes, the flat ones are perfect for the whole experience. For the winter flights we recommend wearing layers of clothes, put on as many as it takes to stay comfortable, you could always remove a layer or two. You may find a hat or a hair covering a nice idea.

For the summer flight we don’t recommend over dressing as you will find the weather is very nice during tour ride.

Weight limit:

Every Balloon has a maximum level of weight it can carry. This weight is affected by the ambient temperature around the balloon and at what altitude it is flying. Before a flight, the pilot uses the passenger's weight to decide how many people can go in each basket. Due to limited weight in the balloon, back packs and big camera bags remain on the ground, in our cars.

Health & Safety:

We make our best to ensure that people enjoy the ride without any safety concerns, but there is some points that we need to make sure before anyone can ride, such as all passengers must be in good physical and mental health. You must not fly if you are suffering from any significant medical condition or if you have recently undergone major surgery. Pregnant women should not fly. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed to fly.

How High And Fast Do Balloons Fly?

It depends on many factors, but the general flying altitude for balloon rides is about 3,000 FT just above tree level. 

Regarding the speed, balloons fly at about the same speed of the wind, which is capped at ground wind speeds of 8 MPH for safety reasons.

What Kind Of Fuel Does a Balloon Needs?

Balloons use a fuel called liquid propane gas, or LPG. Every single balloon can carry up to 40 gallons of fuel in two tanks, while there are other balloons with three smaller tanks that can carry 10 gallons each. 

This fuel allows the balloon rides to lasts from 45 minutes to an hour. 

Also you should know that most balloons have an independent fuel system for safety as a backup. 

It’s one of the most amazing experiences one could ever have, as you witness the sun rise over the city of Luxor - one of the world’s greatest open museums – it’s a spectacular panoramic view as not seen anywhere else.

The balloon is an aircraft that is lighter than air consisting of a bag that filled with heated air, suspended beneath is a wicker basket which carries passengers and a source of heat. 

One might ask how dangerous the air balloon ride, in the aviation world, hot air balloons are an incredibly safe form of flight, and they have become even safer over time. Accidents are uncommon, and fatalities are ever rarer. 

Some people might find it scary to ride, but one should know that the wind that mover the hot air balloon isn’t scary even in the slightest. As a matter of fact, you won’t be able to feel the wind, as you will be traveling with it.

History:

Earlier as it was first invented during the era (220–280 CE) it was used for military signaling, then over time it was developed several times until it took its current shape in the 1950s, the first modern hot air balloon to be made in the United Kingdom was the Bristol Belle, built in 1967. 

Location:

A one hour flight from Cairo, 3 hours by road from the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, and 3 hours by road from Aswan, Luxor is easily accessible by many transport links including trains between Cairo and Aswan.

What to see:

Luxor is one of the greatest ancient cities in the world that make it one of the best spots to do a hot air balloon ride. 

As you ride the balloon before sunrise, it takes of around 4 am. You will fly above the Valley of the Kings, which is also known as the Valley of the Gates of the Kings. It was used as a burial chamber for nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC; the Valley of the Kings was used for royal burials for the Kings, their families, and their possessions. In 1979, it became a World Heritage Site, as well as the rest of the Theban Necropolis.

It was discovered by Howards Carter in an excavation expedition in 1922, one of the most important tombs found in the Valley of the Kings is the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen and all of his treasures. This discovery has ever since then attracted tourists from all over the world as the treasures found traveled the world on a tour to spread the news that this very important discovery for the history of our civilization was discovered in the Valley of the kings.

Then you get to see the stunning view of the sun rises above the valley and the rest of land.