Hodhod Soliman Balloons

Hodhod Soliman is one of the longest-established balloon companies in Luxor. Ballooning over the city began in 1988, when British pilots started flights under a company set up for the purpose, and Egyptian-funded operators joined from 1994. Hodhod Soliman was one of the first of these local companies, founded in 1994, and it still flies sunrise trips over the West Bank.

As with the other Luxor operators, flights take off early in the morning from the West Bank, close to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Reports describe flights of about 45 minutes at a height of roughly 2,000 feet, giving views over the Valley of the Kings, the mortuary temples, the Colossi of Memnon, the patchwork of fields and the Nile with the East Bank beyond.

Ballooning in Luxor is closely regulated. Civil aviation officials at Luxor International Airport decide each morning whether flights can go ahead, based on weather data. Take-off is only permitted when the temperature is no higher than 35°C, wind speed does not exceed eight knots, there is no fog or mist and horizontal visibility is more than four kilometres. Since 2019 balloons have carried GPS and black-box tracking so that flight paths and landing sites can be monitored.

This means flights can be cancelled at short notice, so plan your balloon morning early in your stay. Expect a very early start, as hotel pickups usually happen well before dawn, and dress in layers because the desert is cold before sunrise in winter. Wear closed shoes for the landing in fields and keep loose items secure in the basket.

The company suits first-time balloonists and anyone who wants a long-established local operator. Children are often welcome, but there are usually age and height restrictions, so check before booking. Booking through your hotel or a trusted local agent is common in Luxor; whichever route you choose, confirm what is included, such as transfers, refreshments and a certificate, before you pay.

After landing, crews pack the balloon away while passengers are driven back to their hotels, usually in time for a late breakfast and a full day of sightseeing. Combining a flight with a West Bank tour that same morning works well, as you will already be on the right side of the river.