Honest Review: Hurghada to Luxor Balloon Tour – Is It Worth It?

Dreaming of ancient Egypt? Yeah, a lot of us do. You could be thinking that a trip from Hurghada to Luxor, topped off with a hot air balloon ride, is like your ultimate adventure. So, is the “Hurghada Small Group Luxor Highlights Balloon Day Tour” something that lives up to all the images in your head? So, I took this very tour myself, and I’m ready, too, to give you the lowdown—without all the fancy travel agent speak.

What You Can Expect on this Tour

The name is very much what it is: you’re packing a day full of Luxor’s biggest sights, and I mean squeezing it all in before flying over it in a hot air balloon, too. Typically, tours like these throw in visits to places such as the Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple. As a matter of fact you get to see all the “greatest hits,” often with lunch tucked somewhere in the middle. Now, this small group part? Actually, that’s meant to make it a bit more personal than those busloads of tourists. This tour sells itself as being very up close and much more personal, alright, so I will see if that matches reality.

Early Start and the Drive

I won’t lie to you; that day starts early—I’m talking seriously early. It is pretty much 3 or 4 AM kind of early, alright, so you’re getting picked up from your Hurghada hotel. As I was saying the drive to Luxor can be a bit of a stretch, really close to four hours or so. So, that’s a whole lot of time in a vehicle. The landscape, anyway, it is mostly desert, I guess. Very empty, and after some time the rising sun makes it very beautiful to see.

Tip: You need to pack a pillow, something like a travel pillow can be very helpful here.

Karnak Temple: A Majestic Start

The Karnak Temple is one gigantic place, so I’m not kidding here. Basically, it has pillars that appear to touch the sky, I mean literally they feel like they are going to. In fact, I had seen loads of photos, but being there, anyway, that’s very different. Anyway, our guide was alright, yet they weren’t fantastic; giving, too, some info but sometimes appearing more into keeping everyone together than going deep. So, depending on who you have in your group this can be very enjoyable and still quite a nice experience overall.

Hot Air Balloon Ride: A Surreal Experience

Okay, this very bit, the hot air balloon, that’s where the tour goes next level, like totally next level. Arguably, gliding above Luxor as the sun pops up? So, it gives you those memories. The colors, the calmness (barring the burner noise), actually, it’s magic, is that not true? Yet, the organization, could be improved a little, I believe. Very brief safety talk, and a feeling like they wish to squeeze in as many trips as possible. So, you just want they give people as much time to prepare and breath.

Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple

After you touch the ground again, you are going to head over to the Valley of the Kings, which happens to be home to a collection of old royal tombs, so very interesting. The very elaborate paintings and hieroglyphs were, actually, breathtaking. Next, the Hatshepsut Temple, you see it rising from the desert, you know? Amazing to behold. Yet, I’m pretty sure we rushed through those spots just a little. Could be to fit everything in, it’s almost like we didn’t stop and see things correctly.

Is a Small Group Worth the Extra Cost?

I am pretty sure this comes down to what one values, doesn’t it? In general, the small group tours have the advantage, they’re more personal, and you may actually get to ask more questions, is that right? You may get time to speak one-on-one with your guide; however, so in my group it wasn’t especially small. Actually, this led to feeling somewhat crammed at spots, and there was, in a way, very little “small group” advantage, honestly. So, that was disappointing to see from my personal experience.

The Good, the Not-So-Good, and the Verdict

• What I enjoyed: Balloon ride, Karnak Temple (scale and beauty), scenery during parts of drive, actually, that made up for everything that had been wrong.
• What needs a boost: Group size control, very in-depth information shared by guides, time allocated at each site (didn’t you think so, too?), so you get a much more educational and enjoyable experience overall.

In short? Right, the “Hurghada Small Group Luxor Highlights Balloon Day Tour” shows you lots, that it certainly does. The balloon ride, in particular, anyway, is worth the red-eye wake-up. So, don’t expect a totally VIP, super-personal experience, right, especially when considering those ‘small group’ promises. Okay, it’s more of seeing the top spots quickly, basically. It is worthwhile if you are tight on time and prepared for a long day, arguably.

If I had to book this tour again, it’s almost like I’d consider a standard group tour and maybe budget extra for a personal guide to make up for the differences, honestly. Alternatively, split the trip to Luxor up with an overnight stay so you get more breathing time, you see?

Essential Tips for Your Tour

• Get ready for an early wake-up: So, pack all that you might need the night before.
• Wear clothing to be comfortable: Light colors that don’t attract a whole lot of sun.
• Keep yourself hydrated: Egypt is very hot, so bring that water.
• Take Egyptian pounds with you: Smaller vendors and bathrooms might only accept them, right.
• Agree to bargain but always remain friendly: It’s very much part of the culture in Luxor, alright.

So, with some adjusting of expectations and keeping these recommendations close to mind, your trip from Hurghada to Luxor might actually be epic, honestly.

So, there is my review of this experience. Please tell me about your experiences in the comments, and leave your recommendations! Enjoy!