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Private Day Trip to Luxor: Exploring Ancient Thebes, Hot Air Balloon Ride and Visits to Temple Banks
4.6
221 Ratings
El Nozha
Embark on a private day trip to Luxor and immerse yourself in the ancient wonders of Thebes. Discover the grandeur of Luxor’s temples, take a breathtaking hot air balloon ride, and experience the rich pharaonic culture. Book now!
Embark on a private day trip to Luxor and immerse yourself in the ancient wonders of Thebes. Discover the grandeur of Luxor’s temples, take a breathtaking hot air balloon ride, and experience the rich pharaonic culture. Book now!
Duration:
15 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Cairo International Airport Road - A representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza around 4:00 P.M. in an air-conditioned vehicle to head to Cairo International Airport for a one-hour flight to Luxor. (Flight tickets included)
- Luxor International Airport - Upon arrival, our representative will greet you with our company…
- Cairo International Airport Road - A representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza around 4:00 P.M. in an air-conditioned vehicle to head to Cairo International Airport for a one-hour flight to Luxor. (Flight tickets included)
- Luxor International Airport - Upon arrival, our representative will greet you with our company sign to begin your journey, heading to a hotel to relax until the hot air balloon team arrives between 4:00 and 5:00 A.M. to witness the most stunning sunrise of your life. The hotel staff will prepare a breakfast box for you to take on the hot air balloon ride.
- Luxor - Prepare to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from a hot air balloon. Climb into the balloon’s basket and get ready for lift-off. Take a deep breath and enjoy the breathtaking view of Luxor from above, a truly amazing sight.
- Valley of the Kings - After landing, proceed to the West Bank of Luxor to visit the Valley of the Kings. Explore the complex and see the tombs and resting places of notable Egyptian kings such as Merneptah, Ramesses III, and Ramesses VI.
- Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari - Then, visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, dedicated to the fifth pharaoh and the only female ruler of Egypt who reigned for 20 peaceful years.
- Temple of Medinat Habu - Next, visit Medinet Habu, where the burial temple of Ramses III is located, one of the city’s most significant religious monuments. Its entrance is 63 meters wide and 22 meters tall, featuring a depiction of the Pharaoh himself punishing some prisoners.
- Colossi of Memnon - Then, visit the Colossi of Memnon to see the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
- Luxor - Next, sail on the Nile River in a traditional felucca sailing boat to explore the beauty of Luxor. Relax with a drink as you enjoy the scenery. Experience 30 to 45 minutes of unique sailing to the Karnak temple.
- Temple of Karnak - Upon arrival, take a short walk to Karnak Temple. Listen to your professional Egyptologist guide and admire the Karnak Complex, one of the largest temples in the world. Your guide will explain the 5000-year-old pharaonic civilization. Enjoy being in the largest temple in the world and feel free to ask any questions to your Egyptologist guide. Don’t forget to take memorable photos (a photographer can be provided at a small additional cost).
- Luxor - Afterward, enjoy 30 to 45 minutes of scenic sailing to Luxor temple and experience the unforgettable sunset. Having already witnessed the sunrise from the hot air balloon, now it’s time to enjoy the unforgettable sunset on the water.
- Luxor Temple - Then, visit the Luxor temple, built by Amenhotep III in the 18th Dynasty of the modern kingdom, and completed by Ramses II.
- Luxor International Airport - After the tour, you will be transferred to Luxor International Airport for a one-hour flight back to Cairo (Flight tickets included).
- Cairo - Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting for you with our company sign.
After meeting, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cairo or Giza.
What's Included
- VIP sunrise hot air balloon ride
- Guidance by a professional private Egyptologist
- Private air-conditioned transportation
- Domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor
- Door-to-door hotel transfers
- Meals including lunch in Luxor
- Felucca sail on the Nile
- Stay at a 3-star hotel with breakfast
- All handling fees, service charges, and taxes
- VIP sunrise hot air balloon ride
- Guidance by a professional private Egyptologist
- Private air-conditioned transportation
- Domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor
- Door-to-door hotel transfers
- Meals including lunch in Luxor
- Felucca sail on the Nile
- Stay at a 3-star hotel with breakfast
- All handling fees, service charges, and taxes
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees to all historical sites
- Entrance fees to all historical sites
Additional Information
Experience a cosy journey by air from Cairo to Luxor, the world’s most outstanding outdoor museum which cannot be satisfactorily defined in mere words. Nothing on earth can measure up to the vastness and majesty of the relics that stand as testament of the ancient city of Thebes. In this expedition, you’ll have an authentic encounter with the…
Experience a cosy journey by air from Cairo to Luxor, the world’s most outstanding outdoor museum which cannot be satisfactorily defined in mere words. Nothing on earth can measure up to the vastness and majesty of the relics that stand as testament of the ancient city of Thebes. In this expedition, you’ll have an authentic encounter with the breath-taking Pharaonic culture.
Discover the city’s splendid temples by traversing the west and east bank of Luxor.
Delight in a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride for an once in a lifetime escapade over the historical landmarks of
- Please note that the hot air balloon ride is subject to weather conditions and aviation authority approvals. In rare cases, the balloon ride may be canceled due to unsafe weather conditions. This decision is made by the authorities and is beyond our control. If the balloon ride is canceled, a refund for the balloon ride portion will be provided
Location
Cairo International Airport Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(221 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Nikki_p
Mar 11, 2026
Superb tour guide prof mahmoud Hassan - Excellent day with mahmoud Hassan. So knowledgeable at our own. His recommendations you could not falter. Would highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Kundai_c
Feb 27, 2026
Luxor trip - Tour was Good with prof. mahmoud. hasan. Went to temples, felucca ride. Easy to navigate and helpful
Review provided by Viator
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2026
It's been a very satisfying tour as well. ... - It was a very satisfying tour, as good as it got.
The Japanese were worried about the rice, but it was delicious and surprising.
I was happy to be able to rotate efficiently and ride a balloon.
The guides and drivers were very kind.
Review provided by Viator
Flyer54278302234
Jan 27, 2026
Amazing Experience! - This was an amazing experience that I highly recommend. The only downside was the 3-star hotel stay—I didn’t like it. However, the 4-star hotel they offer was very nice and clean.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thamaraikannanu2023
Jan 26, 2026
Professional, Packed and Perfect! - I was visiting Cairo for business and ended up taking this option to visit Luxor in the weekend. The whole trip was seamless from pickup from airport to drop back to my hotel in Cairo. The team even changed our return flight to have a better experience. At every point their representatives were ON TIME, Professional and gracious!
The whole itinerary is packed with a marathon of places to visit, loved it and made the best use of the limited time available with us!
Will recommend Nice Tours for any Egypt trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lauraj_g
Mar 10, 2026
Very bad experience - I visited Egypt to celebrate my BDay (turning 70), and the very first day of this tour left me without any energy. I had a hard time trying to understand the lady guide because her limited English and very strong accent, she kept getting a little angry because she had to repeat things. She kept scripting at all times, and did not let me ask questions of my own; at one point, I had to tell her to listen to me for a moment. On top of that, her personality was quite strong--she received me in Luxor outside of the airport, saying with a demanding voice: - What took you so long?! What were you doing?! (not good morning or how was the flight). In addition to that, she tried to sell me things that I was not interested in. If I wanted to see the stores at the entrance/exit of the sites, she prevented me for doing so; if I was interested in essential oils, she took me instead to the store for alabaster. At one point, she tried to sell me a series of postcards, and also jewelry. The drivers were very nice and courteous, there was one, Macarious, who spoke perfect English, which I found out, when he dropped me at the airport, because supposedly, the guide is the only who should talk.
Regarding the way the company operates, is very disorganized. I started to contact them via email about 2-3 weeks before my trip and they did not answer my emails. Once in Cairo, and 1 or 2 days prior to leaving for Luxor, they were making changes in a hurry, and pressuring me to answer immediately (I was sleeping a lot due to medication I took because I was sick), saying that if I didn't answer, they would cancel my Luxor tour. More so, the 3 stars hotels, was more like a 2 stars hotel, however, the company told me that they wanted to make my trip very special for me and together with the lady guide, they were saying they were checking me in a 4 stars hotel. The elevator didn't work properly, no warm water for me to take a shower (maintenance fixed it, but when I went again to take the shower, still no warm water), and the room was a disaster. The following day, very early in the morning, around 4 am, they told me there was no balloon ride due to the bad weather, and that they would refund me $40, and I am still waiting for the refund.
Review provided by Viator
Markiss_s
Mar 1, 2026
A few issues but still good - I really wish I could give this 5 stars but there were too many issues. However I will say that Nice Tours did their best to try to make up for some issues. I booked this tour well in advance and 2 days before my tour I get a message saying my flight couldn’t be arranged, which was odd because I booked it in advance, I’m assuming they waited until the last minute. So I had to rearrange my itinerary to accommodate a new schedule. Then, there were issues with the NEW flight so I had to rearrange some things again. Once everything was finally confirmed the tour started off good (day 1 in Luxor). My tour guide gave me freedom to roam by myself which was nice. Day 2, my hot air balloon ride got canceled (not Nice Tours fault) but it was the primary reason I booked the tour. In an effort to make a few things right they provided a 4 star hotel instead of 3, and provided me lunch on the last day. On the last day my tour guide was very knowledgeable, and also gave me freedom to roam around. Had it not been for the flight mixup and hot air balloon ride I would have given 5 stars.
Review provided by Viator
Chicago2006
Jan 30, 2026
Some good. Some bad unfortunately - The tour got off to a good start. A wonderful driver picked me up at my hotel in Cairo and got me to the airport for the evening flight. We flew to Luxor and arrived at the hotel by midnight. We were told to be ready by 0545 for the balloon ride. From there, problems arose. Another couple and I were waiting in the lobby at 545 for our ride. Nobody showed up until 615 and he immediately said it looks like the ride is cancelled due to visibility issues. The skies were clear and there was no wind. Something seemed sketchy. After that disappointment, we were told to wait till 9. A guide showed up and picked me up along with a driver. The couple I met went with another guide. From the moment we arrived at the Valley of the gods, it was apparent, he had 2 things in mind, getting me to buy things from vendors and getting a tip. Despite that, he was knowledgeable and provided good information. After visiting the burial sites and several temples, he was to take me to a prepaid hotel to rest at 4PM as the return flight to Cairo wasn't until 1040. When we arrived, the hotel manager said we have no rooms available. After bickering with the manager for 5 minutes, he was told again no rooms. At that point, I told the guide I wanted to be done with this company and asked to be taken to the airport. I preferred to sit at the airport for 5 hours instead of dealing with them any longer. He said he would leave and have the driver take me to the airport. I gave him a tip, but he didn't feel it was sufficient. I have never been yelled at by a tour guide over a tip. Absolutely ridiculous and unprofessional. They also don't mention it on the itinerary, but they force you to stop at 4 overpriced tourist traps. Upon arrival to the airport, I reconnected to the couple from the morning. They were told the same nonsense, no rooms at their hotel to rest at until the flight time. The sites we visited will always be great lifelong memories, but the nasty tour guide and other issues with the tour company left a lot to be desired. Hard to recommend this company
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ezra_c
Jan 19, 2026
Worst travel agency ever - I was laughed at, and this this trip never took place!!!
They took my money and then I was told that , they couldn’t find an airline ticket and they will not do the trip !!!
Review provided by Viator
Johnson_p
Dec 27, 2025
Beware of last minute disappointments - Best of Egypt Tour company was worst communicator and canceled the tour at the last minute when we were in Lobby. Our whole trip was planned based on this , but there was no response from operator till last moment and Viator tried and failed to reach him too.
Be aware and stay on top of trip planning. Keep ask the tour company to avoid last minute disappoints.
Try GetyourGuide , they have guarantee plans.
In my scenario , Viator was also helpless .
You spent time/money before 4 months still tour company was not able do their commitments
Review provided by Viator
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