A guide to going in a Hot Air Balloon in Egypt
When I went to Egypt I had no intention of doing a hot air balloon Egypt trip but when a couple on my tour decided to do the trip for sunrise, the “I hate missing out” part of me started kicking in. I didn’t want them to come back and tell me how good it was and see the pictures and regret not doing it, so I signed up and agreed to get up at some ridiculous hour so that we could get out to the field into our balloon and in the air while it was still dark so we could watch sunrise in the sky. When we arrived I was surprised at the size of the basket, I was expecting that one balloon carrying maybe 4 people and not realising there would be lots of baskets attached.
Our balloon was carrying 20-25 people!!! Everyone was in pairs getting put in the baskets and then there was little me left all on my own!! A guy came over and gave me some gloves and advised I was with the captain!!!
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This meant that I experienced the whole flight in the basket with the gas canisters and because of the gloves when we needed to rise I had to stand on my tiptoes to press the lever to put the flames in the balloon!! As if I wasn’t nervous enough about going up in the balloon, I am terrified of heights, I am surrounded by gas canisters and I am in charge of keeping us in the air!!!
Once we were all in our baskets, the captain had gone through the safety briefing and how to land (most of which didn’t apply to me because of the gas canisters!! I wasn’t to duck low in the basket on landing!! As I might get knocked out by a gas canister!!), the captain got us in the air.
As co-pilot I was chatting to the pilot and he was telling me about his long experience as a balloon pilot and that he was actually in charge of all the other balloons and so I was very lucky because we were the first balloon up and would be the last balloon to land and so we would get extra time for free!! He could tell from the look on my face, that this was not good news to me, all I wanted to do was get back on the ground as soon as possible!!
Thankfully the captain kept me busy, pointing out all the sights on the ground, Hatshepsut’s Temple, Temple of Ramesseum & Colossi of Memnon, so I could take lots of pictures and reminding me to keep the balloon in the air!!
It was amazing seeing the Valley of the Kings, which is one of Egypts top tourist attractions, from the air, knowing that afterwards we would be visiting it. After a bit I got used to being up there and the views were amazing, it was a truly amazing experience and so peaceful. I am glad I did it but am not sure I will do it again!!
To book your Egypt hot air balloon trip over Luxor, click on the link below.
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It sounds like you had a super neat and unique experience! I haven’t been in a hot air balloon but would love to someday. I want to do it in New Mexico or Turkey, but now maybe Egypt is an option! Those mountains are breathtaking!
I can’t believe the balloon could hold that many people! A hot air balloon ride is on my bucketlist for sure!
What an amazing experience! That couple you met definitely got you on the right track because your photos look fantastic. It’s been on my bucket list to go to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Japan. Have you ever heard of it?
That looks incredible! Adding it to the list!
What a fun experience. Loved that you overcame your fear of heights and ended up having a great time. I’m also so surprised to read that the baskets are so big. Great pictures. So glad you enjoyed the experience.
Wow! Go you conquering your fears and captioning the balloon! I did one in Turkey, but it’s pretty awesome to see all the ruins below. We didn’t have that. What an amazing experience!
What an amazing experience! I would’ve loved to be captain haha. Probably freak out half way though haha. Awesome!!
Id love to experience the hot air balloon! You can see and experience the place in a different perspective. Those photos a really cool!
What an amazing experience! I’m glad you decided to go. The pictures are incredible. Sounds like once in a lifetime and so cool to do it in Egypt!
Lovely pictures. I did a tour in Dubai just a few months back and loved it 🙂
Wow, now that really does sound and look like a once in a lifetime experience! Fabulous views and great photos! A hot air balloon ride is on my bucket list… Just need to decide where to do one!
I think if I had to do another one it would be in Cappadocia, Turkey. That one looks amazing 🙂
Aye, I think that would be the one! You’re right – it does look fabulous! Also one over the Grand Canyon would be fab!
I did a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon that was great fun 🙂
There’s a strong chance I would have passed out. I love doing memorable things like this when I travel but I need a really strong push forward to get going. I would have died a little if I had to actually control the thing lol. NOPE.
What a fun memory to share! Helping the Captain fly the hot air balloon sounds like an amazing adventure! Definitely worth waking up early to experience.
Looks like an amazing experience! I totally want to try that out too, though I’m afraid of heights as well. I missed doing it in Cappadocia & Serengeti but I’m definitely going to do it someday, somewhere.
Oh my gosh they gave you THAT much responsibility on your first ride?!? Good for you haha sounds like you kept your composure. I probably would’ve cried. Hot air ballooning is one of those bucket list items I have yet to tick off, but wow Egypt would definitely be a crazy place to do it!
How amazing that you got to be the co-pilot. So lucky. Was it expensive? Bet you are glad you did it now!
I’ve always wanted to do a balloon trip they look so fun!! Do you plan on doing some in other countries as well??
I am not sure I will ever do it again!! Though I could be tempted to do it in Turkey!!
Oh my! The views from the balloon are incredible! Hot air balloons always look so pretty and peaceful in the sky, its always been a dream to go in one 🙂
What a fun experience and the views of the Valley of the Kings is amazing from above! Did you get a discount for helping to fly the hot air balloon? 😉
I wish!! Am surprised we survived to be honest!!
This is incredible! I’m TERRIFIED of heights too so I have so much respect for you for not only getting on the hot air balloon but also co-piloting one. I think I’d just poop my pants and pass out from fear lol