Take a Luxor Balloon Ride to See the Worlds Largest Open-Air Museum from Above
Taking a balloon ride while visiting Luxor is an absolute must for the adventurous Egypt traveler. Jamie Brown did it and had an experience of lifetime. Read on…
“… Several men are holding grimly onto the basket, murmuring comforting words to us with encouraging smiles on their faces, all in Arabic of course. One last burst of flame and we are off. Slowly we ascend into the sky, not a sound except the occasional burst from the burner.
Looking down it feels like you are floating in the air like a Autumn leaf, where you go is in the lap of the wind. Underneath passes Hatshepsut Temple with the stark, orange cliffs of rock rising behind. A picture from Lonely Planet I’m sure.
The sun has just peeped over the horizon as we glide across the fields of wheat, sugarcane and lucerne. The farmers are burning cane stubble and a haze of smoke hangs in the air with hardly a breath of wind to blow it away.
With another big burst of hot air to fill our balloon we climb to 500 metres. The ground now taking on small dimensions as we soar above. Then dropping down to the ground, skimming across Luxor’s West Bank. I nearly touch a date palm as we pass over houses, sleepy children staring up at us. Their parents already out in the field. A little awkward I feel, us wealthy tourists, in our balloon, invading their privacy. Something they could never afford as they toil away trying to etch out their existence.
Landing safely we are swarmed upon by the usual begging children. Where we are duly whisked off back to our five star hotels. Certificate in hand to verify our achievement???”
More at Luxor From Above | Travel Blog
These are some of the attractions you will see from above…
- Deir Al Medina
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Ramesseum Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Valley of the Queens
You should definitely consider adding a balloon ride to your Egypt tour. Your can customize your Egypt trip here or simply click the button in the upper right corner to get instant help from one of our professional Egypt tour consultants.
Top Attractions: Luxor, Egypt Tours
Don’t deny yourself a Luxor, Egypt tour experience! Luxor is easily an excellent place when you’re looking for relaxation and interesting attractions to see. Situated on the Nile lots of the Nile cruises either arrive or leave from Luxor.
Arguably the second most popular Egyptian tourist town, Luxor is still however rather small as far as population goes. When you sift through the various Egypt tour packages available you will find that many of them will include a trip to Luxor.
Top Attractions in Luxor, Egypt
Why is Traveling Luxor in Egypt so Amazingly Popular?
Do not deny yourself a Luxor travel experience!
Luxor is obviously an excellent place when you’re looking for relaxation and engaging attractions to see. Located on the River Nile lots of the Nile cruises either arrive or leave from Luxor.
Why is traveling Luxor so amazingly popular?
Debatably the second most well liked Egyptian town, Luxor is still nevertheless rather little as far as population goes. When you sieve through the many Egypt tours and Egypt travel packages available you will find that a lot of them will include a visit to Luxor. Why? Because modern-day Luxor is considered the world’s most important ancient open air museum!
Ancient sites to explore in Luxor
Egypt Tours of the Luxor Temple
The Luxor Temple, some 260 m ( 8 150 ft ) long today, was built by Amenophis III on the foundations of a prior religious structure, dating from the time of Queen Hatshepsut.
The colonnade is enclosed on each side by a masonry curtain wall, with reliefs picturing many phases of the Festival of Opet, finished and decorated in the reigns of Tutankhamun and Horemheb. An impressive yard follows; it is covered with a double row of columns, and bordered to the south by the hypostyle hall, which itself has 32 huge columns. From here, the visitor passes on to the inside section of the attraction where there’s a collection of four antechambers and subordinate rooms along the Sanctuary of the Holy Barque, in the innermost room. The chapel was reconstructed by Alexander the Great.
The rites that occurred in the Luxor temple were of grave seriousness, and their religious symbolism complicated.
Symbolism and Illusionism
Like other Egyptian structures a common technique used was symbolism, or illusionism. For example, to the Egyptian, a sanctuary shaped like an Anubis Jackal was really Anubis.
At the Luxor temple, the two obelisks (the smaller one closer to the west is now in the Place de la Concorde in Paris) flanking the entrance were not the same height, but they created the illusion that they were. With the layout of the temple they appear to be of equal height, but using illusionism, it enhances the relative distances hence making them look the same size to the wall behind it.
Symbolically, it is a visual and spacial effect to emphasize the heights and distance from the wall, enhancing the already existing pathway.
Construction of the Luxor Temple
The Luxor temple was built with sandstone from the Gebel el-Silsila area, which is located in south-western Egypt. This sandstone from the Gebel el-Silsila region is referred to as Nubian Sandstone. This sandstone was used for the construction for monuments in Upper Egypt as well as in the course of past and current restoration works.
The Best Tours in Egypt Visit the Historic Capital Luxor
Being the dynastic and spiritual capital of the Middle and New Kingdoms of ancient Egypt, there are plenty of things to see in Luxor.
From massive temples, to royal crypts, impressive desert and beautiful Nile views. Luxor has it all.
Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes, the great capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and the glorious city of the god Amon-Ra. Thebes was also known as “the city of the 100 gates.”
The importance of the city started as early as the 11th Dynasty, when the town grew into a thriving city, renowned for its high social status and luxury, but also as a center for wisdom, art, religious and political supremacy.
The Classical 5 Day Cairo Luxor Tour is a historical experience that introduces visitors to some of the most famous historic sites in the region. Experience Cairo and Luxor.
The best tours in Egypt visit the historic capital Luxor!
Egypt Vacation Packages – Sightseeing in Cairo and Luxor
What do you really think of when Egypt comes to mind? For many people choosing Egypt vacation packages this land is shrouded in amazing nature and historical importance. There is a sense of love and intrigue as you think about Egyptian garb and camels tiptoeing through the hot desert.
Cairo and Luxor vacation packages to Egypt frequently focus on the rich history of the land and the historic destinations most visitors would like to see. When choosing Egypt tours you may naturally have pro, knowledgeable guides that will answer your questions and educate you on the various visitor sites.
Egypt Vacation Package Favourites
Travel Luxor, Cruise the Nile & Explore the Amazing Wonders of Ancient Egypt
Travel Luxor and explore some of Egypt’s most renowned sites the way you prefer. Visit
Karnak temple complex, Valley of the Kings and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut! Read More…
Egypt travel packages include sightseeing trips in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
Why should you consider a private Egypt tour? Perhaps you have pictured touring the pyramids and amazing temples in Luxor taking in the archaeological sites the way you choose.
Perhaps you wish to trek thru the desert and visit the many oasis sites with a private guide.
If you want a guided tour and explore parts of Egypt of your choice all you have to do is fill out the request form for the Egypt tour of your dreams and we will reply with custom Egypt tour and price quote within 24 hours.
Most Egypt travel packages include Cairo, Luxor and Aswan trips.
Tour Egypt and Visit the Valley of the Kings in Luxor
The world has always been fascinated with the history of the country of Egypt. When your tour Egypt aside from Cairo, many tourists also visit the city of Luxor. One of the most popular places here is the Valley of the Kings, which reveals over a thousand years of ancient Egypt history. Tourists who have visited Luxor would agree that a vacation in the city is incomplete if you do not visit the Valley of Kings. This article will discuss about interesting facts and tips that you may want to know if you want to visit this tourist spot. Read More…
The Brief Luxor Egypt Travel Guide
As any Luxor Egypt Travel Guide will tell you, Luxor is the most popular tourist destination in the Nile Valley of southern (or Upper) Egypt. This city was the capital of the Middle and New Kingdoms of ancient Egypt and as you might expect from a former ancient capital, there are a lot of historical sites to visit here; and Luxor also offers all of the amenities you’d expect of a modern city along with its ancient ruins, natural beauty and historic charm. Read More…