A balloon over Luxor is a one-sentence wow. This West Bank tour pairs a luxury sunrise hot air balloon ride with time at the Valley of the Kings, Deir el Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon, plus a rare-feeling tomb access element tied to Tutankhamun. I like that you get hotel pickup/drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, so your day starts with less hassle. I also like the clear arc of stops, from balloon views to the tomb circuit, so you’re not bouncing randomly around town.

One thing to weigh: timing and group comfort can vary. In at least one recent case, pickup ran later than expected, and the balloon basket felt very full, which matters if you’re hoping for a calmer, more spacious flight.

Key things to know before you go

• Sunrise balloon over Luxor: expect early timing and desert-cool starts, then a city view as the light comes up
• West Bank tomb route: Valley of the Kings plus a Deir el Bahari stop that’s built for history-and-photos
• Tutankhamun tomb access opportunity: the tour description highlights this special access as a standout
• Air-conditioned transport: hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which is a big quality-of-life win
• Entrance fees not included for key sites: you’ll likely pay extra at the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Over Luxor: The View and the Timing Reality

This is the kind of morning plan that changes how you see Luxor. You start with a sunrise hot air balloon ride that lifts you above the modern city and gives you a bird’s-eye sense of where the West Bank sites sit in relation to the Nile and the urban sprawl below. The balloon time is listed at about 45 minutes, which is long enough to get into the experience without turning the day into a marathon.

The practical detail I’d underline is timing. The tour is designed for a sunrise flight, which usually means very early pickup. In one unhappy experience shared by a past customer, pickup happened much later than the requested time, and the sun was already up when they reached the balloon. That doesn’t mean every day runs late, but it does mean you should plan mentally for an early start, and be flexible if the pickup window shifts.

Comfort is part of the pitch here: you transfer to the West Bank launch area in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Luxor because even when mornings start cool, you can still get hot quickly once you’re waiting outside. If you’re prone to feeling sluggish in early travel, you’ll appreciate having the AC for the ride out, rather than dealing with a warm, cramped van.

Another detail you’ll care about if you’re picky: balloon capacity. One negative note mentions a very crowded basket (around 28 people plus the pilot), described as feeling like a factory. Again, that’s not guaranteed, but it’s a heads-up. If you want quiet and space, choose your expectations accordingly.

From Hotel Pickup to the Launch Site: What Luxury Transport Actually Means

This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, plus transport by air-conditioned vehicle. In practice, that’s where the “luxury” label earns its keep. You’re not navigating taxi lines at dawn or trying to time public transport while you’re figuring out where the launch area is.

It also helps that this is described as a private tour/activity for your group. That usually means you’re not stuck waiting on strangers through multiple stops. Still, keep in mind that the balloon itself may operate like a shared experience—one past review noted a large balloon group—so private on the ground doesn’t always mean private in the air.

A small but important practical point: insect control. One review complained about an old pickup vehicle with mosquitoes. You can’t plan for every vehicle condition, but you can plan for the environment: bring insect repellent and consider long sleeves for the waiting periods. It’s one of those boring items that saves your mood.

And because your day is structured (balloon first, then tomb visits), you’ll want to travel light. You’ll be moving from site to site, and you don’t want a bag situation that slows you down when it’s time to enter.

Valley of the Kings: Special Tomb Access and a Two-Hour Reality Check

The Valley of the Kings stop is where your history morning turns into actual walking, looking, and reading the details you can’t see from a distance. You get about 2 hours here, and it’s specifically the Necropolis of Thebes area on the West Bank.

What makes this tour stand out in the description is the promised opportunity to go inside Tutankhamun’s tomb, along with visits to three other tombs in the Valley of the Kings with artwork. That’s exactly the kind of itinerary upgrade that turns a standard Valley-of-the-Kings visit into something you’ll remember for years—because going inside changes the experience from sightseeing to feeling the space and scale of the tomb interiors.

One big catch: entrance fees are not included for the Valley of the Kings. The tour summary also lists entrance fees for other stops as optional/not included. So when you budget, treat tickets as an additional line item. The upside is that paying on-site often lets you keep control of what you see and how you pace your entry.

Here’s the trade-off to consider: inside tombs usually means timed entry rules, crowds, and tight spaces. Even with a good guide plan, you’ll spend part of your 2 hours doing the “entry choreography.” If you’re hoping for unhurried solitude, build in patience. If you’re excited by seeing the tomb artwork up close and inside structures rather than just standing at exterior points, this schedule is more your speed.

Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari: Why This Stop Matters

Next comes Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. The tour calls out Hatshepsut as the only woman to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and the temple is described as an architectural and cultural achievement with impressive structures and historical significance. You’ll spend about 2 hours here.

This stop is valuable for two reasons. First, it’s a change of pace from tombs. In the Valley of the Kings you’re dealing with burial space and the feeling of secrecy. At Deir el Bahari you’re dealing with a grand stone statement meant to last—terraces, scale, and views you can’t get from inside a tomb.

Second, it rounds out your “West Bank story.” A balloon gives you the big picture. Tomb access gives you the personal details. Then Hatshepsut gives you a bigger sense of power, monument-building, and how rulers wanted to be remembered in place and stone.

Just like the Valley of the Kings, the admission ticket is not included here. So keep your cash/card situation ready. Also, because this is a 2-hour block, plan for some standing and walking on uneven ground. Comfortable shoes matter more here than they do on a museum bench day.

Colossi of Memnon: The Short Stop That Still Feels Big

You finish with the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues associated with King Amenhotep III. This is a shorter stop—about 15 minutes—and the admission ticket is listed as free on this schedule.

Fifteen minutes can sound rushed, but these statues are the kind of subject where even a short visit can land well. They’re huge, they hold attention fast, and they work as a strong visual punctuation mark after the tomb-heavy morning. If you’re using the day for photos, this stop is also a nice reset: less reading, more seeing form and proportion in the open air.

One practical thought: since the stop is brief, don’t arrive with the mindset that you’ll linger and chat. Use those minutes for a quick circuit: look at them from different angles, then step back and take in the surrounding area.

Price and Value: Is $56.55 a Good Deal for a 5-Hour West Bank Morning?

Let’s talk money in a straight way. The price is listed as $56.55 per person, and the total day is about 5 hours. Included items are: hot air balloon, air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and taxes and charges.

That can be strong value because the balloon is the big-ticket item in most Luxor itineraries. If you were trying to book balloon transport and the West Bank ground sites separately, you’d almost certainly spend more once you add transport time, coordination, and separate tickets. Here, you’re paying once for a coordinated plan with the balloon built in.

But the value equation changes when you remember what’s not included. Entrance fees aren’t included for the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut. So the true total cost is often the base price plus those on-site admissions. Also, tipping is not included, and a guide is listed as optional. Translation: you should budget for a bit more cash than the headline price.

Another value signal: booking timing. This is described as typically booked about 10 days in advance, which usually means demand is steady. If you wait too long, you might find fewer departure slots or fewer choices.

Group Size, Comfort, and What to Pack for a Smooth Day

Even though the tour is described as private for your group, the balloon basket can still be shared with other passengers, and one review described it as crowded. So think of your comfort plan like this: you control the stuff you bring, and you manage expectations about how crowded the balloon might feel.

What I’d pack (practical and simple):

• Insect repellent for early waiting and transfer time
• Light layers for sunrise wind and cool air, then warmth as the day starts
• Good walking shoes for tomb paths and temple stone areas
• A small bag you can keep close in crowded moments

Also, keep your phone charged. The itinerary is built for photos: balloon city views, tomb interiors (where allowed), and the statues at the end.

Who This Luxor West Bank Balloon Tour Fits Best

This is a good match if you want:

• A single morning that hits multiple West Bank highlights
• A sunrise balloon experience without extra logistics work
• A tomb-focused day with Tutankhamun access opportunity and additional Valley tomb visits

It’s less ideal if you:

• Hate crowded small spaces and need room to spread out
• Get cranky when timing shifts and you’ve already set a rigid schedule
• Don’t want to pay separate entrance fees for major sites

If you’re the type who likes a tight, efficient day—balloon first, then monuments, done—you’ll probably find the structure satisfying. If you want long, slow wandering with lots of empty space, you might feel the 5-hour format moving a bit quickly.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if the core promise sounds like your ideal Luxor morning: sunrise balloon + West Bank tomb and temple route, with special Tutankhamun tomb access opportunity built into the Valley of the Kings plan. At the listed price, you’re getting the expensive part (the balloon) bundled with transport and pickup, which is hard to beat.

Don’t book it (or go in with eyes open) if you’re very sensitive to comfort details like long pickups, vehicle condition, or a crowded balloon basket. In that case, you’ll still get the sights, but the experience might not feel as calm or luxurious as you hoped.

If you do book, do two things: pack for insects and early mornings, and budget extra for the on-site entrances at the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut. That combo keeps the day smooth and lets you focus on the moments that matter: the balloon light over Luxor, then those tomb interiors.

FAQ

How long is the Hot Air Balloon with Secrets of the West luxury tour in Luxor?

It’s listed as about 5 hours (approximately).

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, plus transport by air-conditioned vehicle.

What does the hot air balloon include?

The hot air balloon ride is included, and the schedule lists about 45 minutes for the balloon portion.

Which West Bank sites are visited?

You visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon.

Are entrance fees included for the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut?

No. The Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut have admission tickets listed as not included (entrance fees are also noted as not included/optional).

Is tipping included in the tour price?

No. Tipping is not included.

How much is the tour?

The price is listed as $56.55 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I get a mobile ticket and confirmation?

Yes. The tour provides a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking.