Luxor 2-Day Trip from Hurghada with Optional Balloon Ride: trip overview
Luxor deserves more than a single day, and staying overnight transforms the experience. You avoid the long there-and-back drive in one go, see the temples in the softer morning and evening light, and can take a hot-air balloon flight over the West Bank at sunrise.
Day one covers the East Bank — Karnak and Luxor Temple after dark. Day two starts with the optional balloon, then the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon before driving back to Hurghada.
Highlights
- Overnight in a comfortable Luxor hotel
- Optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight
- Luxor Temple illuminated at night
- Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple
- More time at every site
Your day, as it feels
Day one ends differently from any day trip: instead of a four-hour drive back, you walk into Luxor Temple as the lights come on and the carvings glow gold against the dark sky.
Before dawn on day two, the optional balloon rises over the West Bank. Below you, the Nile, green fields, temples and the desert cliffs appear in the first light — one of the most beautiful sights in Egypt. Then, rested and inspired, you explore the royal tombs and Hatshepsut's temple before driving back to Hurghada.
Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips
No rushing
The sites are spread over two days.
Luxor Temple at night
Something day-trippers rarely see.
Sunrise balloon option
Only possible when you stay overnight.
Comfortable hotel
4–5 star with breakfast.
Itinerary, hour by hour
- Day 1 · 06:00
Pickup and drive
Drive to Luxor, check in or drop bags.
- Day 1 · Afternoon
Karnak Temple
Guided visit, then lunch.
- Day 1 · Evening
Luxor Temple
See the temple lit up at night.
- Day 2 · 05:00
Balloon (optional)
Sunrise flight over the West Bank.
- Day 2 · Morning
West Bank
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon.
- Day 2 · Afternoon
Return
Lunch and drive back to Hurghada.
Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.
Places you'll visit
What you will see on this trip, in a few words. The exact order can change on the day.
Karnak Temple
Karnak is the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, built and extended by pharaohs over about 2,000 years and dedicated mainly to the god Amun. The highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 giant columns, many still carrying their original colour high up. Avenues of ram-headed sphinxes, obelisks and the sacred lake complete the visit. It is a big site, so your guide follows a clear route that covers the essentials without wasting your energy. Full guide & map →
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple stands in the centre of modern Luxor, on the east bank of the Nile. Built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, it was linked to Karnak by the restored Avenue of Sphinxes. The entrance is guarded by statues of Ramses II and a single obelisk; its twin stands in Paris. The temple is especially beautiful in the late afternoon and after dark, when it is lit up, and it is compact enough to visit in about an hour.
Valley of the Kings
On the west bank of Luxor, kings of the New Kingdom were buried in tombs cut deep into a desert valley, hidden from robbers. The standard ticket includes three tombs, and the painted walls and ceilings are often in astonishing condition. Some tombs, such as Tutankhamun's, need an extra ticket. Photography rules and open tombs change from time to time, so your guide chooses the best tombs open on the day and explains what the scenes mean. Full guide & map →
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut rises in three wide terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. She was one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and her temple tells the story of her reign, including a famous trading expedition to the land of Punt. The architecture looks surprisingly modern. The site is exposed to the sun, so it is usually visited earlier in the day, with hats and water ready. Full guide & map →
Colossi of Memnon
Two enormous seated statues of Amenhotep III, each about 18 metres high, once guarded the entrance of his mortuary temple on the west bank of Luxor. In Roman times one of them was said to 'sing' at dawn after an earthquake damaged it, and travellers came from far away to hear it. Today it is a short photo stop by the road, usually on the way to or from the Valley of the Kings. Full guide & map →
What's included
- Hotel transfers
- One night in a 4–5* hotel with breakfast
- Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets listed
- Two lunches
Not included
- Hot-air balloon (optional extra)
- Dinner
- Special tombs
- Tips (optional)
Optional extras — told to you before you book
| Optional extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hot-air balloon | optional extra |
| Dinner | not included |
| Single room | supplement |
Your safety on this trip
- Licensed balloon operators; flights cancelled in unsuitable winds
- Comfortable hotel and experienced drivers
- Egyptologist guide both days
What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead
We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Is this trip right for you?
Perfect for
- Travellers who dislike very long days
- Photographers
- Couples
Maybe not for you if…
- Guests with only one free day
Insider tips from our team
- Book the balloon when you book the trip — it sells out in winter.
- Pack a warm layer for the balloon at dawn.
- Use the free evening to walk the Luxor Corniche.
What to bring
- Passport
- Overnight bag
- Warm layer for the balloon at dawn
Good to know
- Balloon flights depend on wind; if cancelled by the authorities, the balloon price is refunded.
- Single room supplement applies.
Hotel pickup areas
Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.
Guest reviews
Reviews on this page come only from guests who booked this trip with us; we publish positive and critical ones alike. After your trip we send you a short review link.
Luxor 2-Day Trip from Hurghada with Optional Balloon Ride: questions & answers
Is the balloon safe?
Balloon operators in Luxor are licensed and flights are cancelled in unsuitable winds. We only work with established operators.
Can we add Dendera or Abydos?
Yes, on a private version of this trip.
How are children's tickets priced?
Children aged 0–4 travel free on standard per-person trips; ages 5–10 pay 50% of the adult trip fare; ages 11 and over pay the full fare. Enter every child’s age on the trip date when booking. Pickup supplements and minimum booking prices are shown separately. Private boats, jeeps and quads are priced per vehicle. Activity age restrictions still apply.
What if the balloon is cancelled?
If the authorities cancel flights because of wind, the balloon price is refunded.
Is dinner included?
Dinner is not included, so you can choose where to eat.
