Luxor Highlights: 2-Day Tours with Hot Air Balloon and Banana Island From Hurghada

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hurghada to Luxor Transfer and Luxor East Bank 

Your tour will start with a pick up from your hotel in Hurghada at 7:00 am (available to change) by our English speaking driver in an air conditioned vehicle, then begins the 4 hour journey towards Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor around 11:00 am, check in your hotel in Luxor (book it yourself) and relax for couple of hours before the tour to the east bank.

Then meet your guide for the tour at 3:00 pm and head to the first stop of the day, Karnak Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site and the greatest example of a site of worship in history built through 2000 years, covering an area of about 63 acres. Listen carefully to the stories and legends to be told by your tour guide. Marvel at the sheer size of the Great Hypo-style Hall, take photos between the huge columns and obelisks.

In your way to Luxor Temple, stop to see the avenue of sphinxes, once linked the two temples together for the ancient Egyptians New Year Festival.

Proceed to Luxor Temple, which is among the most beautiful temples in Egypt, and was built by king Amenhotep III from the 18th. dynasty and completed by the great king Ramses II during the 19th dynasty, where ancient Egyptian, Christian and Islamic features are exhibited. Admire its obelisk and well preserved statues. Then, transfer back to your hotel for overnight.

Meals Included: Not Included

Accommodation: Not Included

Day 2: Hot Air Balloon, Luxor West Bank, Banana Island and Departure transfer to Hurghada

Following an early morning pick-up (around 4:30 am) from your hotel, drive towards the River Nile to cross to the West Bank on a motorboat followed by another vehicle transfer to the hot air balloon launch site. After listening to the safety instructions, hop into the hot air balloon’s shared basket and get ready for lift off. Rise up into the sky and enjoy a bird’s eye view of Luxor at sunrise. See the city from an entirely different perspective.

Take 30 to 40 minutes Hot Air Balloon flight over the west bank of Luxor and enjoy an aerial view of the country’s landscape and famous landmarks such as; the Ramesseum temple, the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut Temple and the view of the Colossi of Memnon rising from the nearby fields. Be sure to capture the best moments of the sunrise over the Theban Necropolis mountains. Float back down to earth and you will receive a flight certificate and a small gift.

Back to your hotel to have your breakfast and check out with your luggage and be ready for the west bank tour. Your Egyptology tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 am. Drive in nature for about 30 to 40 minutes to the West Bank to start by visiting the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs from the New Kingdom 18th to 20th dynasty carved their tombs in the mountains aiming to hide their treasure and protect their mummies. With your expert guide, learn about the rulers who are entombed here such as the Great Pharaoh Ramses II and Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Your tour guide will explain everything from outside as no guiding inside the tombs, then explore the best 3 selected tombs from the open ones.

Continue, to Hatshepsut Temple, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved temples of Ancient Egypt. Listen to her interesting story from your Egyptology guide and know how she managed to rule the country for 22 years as a sole Pharaoh. End your tour in the West Bank by a photo stop in front of the gigantic 17 meters statues of Memnon once depicted King Amenhotep III. Marvel at these fascinating sculptures and listen to incredible stories about the rulers and times through which they have lasted.

Then, drive down to the Nile and board a traditional felucca boat, relax, enjoy the scenery of the Nile views all the way, watch the real Egyptian life, pass by the farmer’s fields with the sugar cane as a major crop in Luxor. Disembark at the Banana Island, where your felucca captain will take you on a walk around the island, covered by the banana, mango, and guava trees. See the pigeon tower and the old irrigation wheel. Enjoy a delicious meal at the island restaurant, eat some sweet banana as a dessert. Sail back to the Nile side to be transferred back to your hotel in Hurghada.

Meals Included: Lunch

Accommodation: Not Included

Additional Information:

• Essentials for the excursion: Passport, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen.
• Your passport copy is required after booking for a government permission before the travel date
• Please, send us your hotel name, address and room number when possible before the travel date.
• Children less than 6 years are not allowed for the balloon trip.
• If the balloon trip cancelled due to bad weather you will be refunded with 30$ USD per person.
• You will need to carry Egyptian money cash for the Tipping to The guide and driver.
• You will need to pay all the entrance fees to the sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary by card.
• Other languages are available with extra charge upon your request.