Every year, Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority suspends hot air balloon flights over Luxor during June, July and August. The reason is straightforward: the extreme summer heat in Luxor — regularly exceeding 45 °C — creates powerful thermal turbulence and unpredictable high-altitude winds that make safe flying impossible.
This seasonal suspension, which applies every summer, ended as planned at the start of September 2026. Balloon companies operating in Luxor have resumed their activities, and the first flights have taken off in recent days at sunrise.
Why are hot air balloon flights in Luxor suspended every summer?
Balloon flights depend heavily on weather conditions. In Luxor's summer, extreme temperatures, strong thermals and variable high-altitude winds create significant safety risks. Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority therefore imposes a mandatory interruption from June to the end of August each year to protect passenger safety.
This decision also aligns with the seasonality of Egyptian tourism: the vast majority of international visitors prefer the months of October to April, when temperatures are more comfortable. The September resumption therefore marks the start of the peak tourist season in Luxor.
What you will see from a balloon over Luxor
A hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise offers an absolutely unique perspective on one of the greatest concentrations of pharaonic monuments in the world. From the basket, on a clear morning, you can observe:
🏛️ Hatshepsut Temple — built in terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari
🗿 Colossi of Memnon — two colossal statues of Amenhotep III guarding the Theban plain
🌊 The Nile — the river and its green banks contrasting with the desert
🌅 Sunrise over ancient Thebes — an unforgettable visual spectacle that very few travellers ever experience
The flight typically lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour, with take-off before dawn and landing after sunrise. Pick-up is arranged directly from your hotel or Nile cruise ship.
How to combine a balloon ride with a Luxor excursion from Hurghada
If you are staying in Hurghada or on the Red Sea coast, book directly through our Luxor hot air balloon ride with Memnon Reisen — pick-up from your hotel or Nile cruise ship, sunrise flight over the Valley of the Kings.
The balloon ride can be arranged early in the morning before the guided temple visit — allowing you to combine the aerial view at sunrise with ground-level exploration alongside a private English-speaking Egyptologist.
Practical information for September–October 2026
⏰ Departure times: Before dawn, typically between 05:00 and 05:30
🕐 Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
🌡️ Temperatures: In September, Luxor begins to cool — around 38–40 °C during the day, more pleasant in the early morning
📍 Departure: West bank of the Nile, with pick-up from your hotel or boat
💡 Tip: Book in advance — places are limited and demand is high at the start of the season
