TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Ballooning over Luxor, Egypt: Antiquities from the sky

Amr Nabil (Associated Press)
Luxor, Egypt
Tue, April 19, 2016

Share This Article

Change Size

Ballooning over Luxor, Egypt: Antiquities from the sky In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, a hot air balloon flies over the mortuary temple of Ramsis III at Medinet Habu on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. Only from a balloon high in the sky, in the clear air of the early morning, can a visitor begin to grasp the beauty of antiquities on the ground in this one-time Egyptian capital once known as Thebes. (AP/Amr Nabil)

They take off at first light, reinforced wicker baskets filled with people, heading into the skies over Luxor, Egypt.

Only from a balloon high in the sky, in the clear air of the early morning, can a visitor begin to grasp the beauty of antiquities on the ground in this one-time Egyptian capital known in ancient times as Thebes.

The city in southern Egypt is one of the world's largest outdoor museums, boasting majestic pharaonic temples on the east bank of the Nile River and heavily adorned tombs of some of the best-known ancient kings — including Tutankhamun, the boy king — on the west bank.

In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, hot air balloons fly over the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. The path of the brightly colored balloons is determined by prevailing winds. On the ride, the silence is broken only by the whoosh of the gas burners and the occasional exclamations from tourists awed by the sights. (AP/Amr Nabil)

The path of the brightly colored balloons is determined by prevailing winds. On the ride, the silence is broken only by the whoosh of the gas burners and the occasional exclamations from tourists awed by the sights.

Yet there may be mixed feelings at takeoff: a healthy dose of adventurism and anticipation about what the short flight will reveal, but also concerns about safety. Three years ago, 19 people died here in a balloon accident. Since then, authorities have imposed rigid regulations on balloon operators, including cancelling flights on bad-weather days and training requirements for pilots.

In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, smoke rises as farmers burn chaff after a harvest on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. The details of life in rural Egypt come into view as the balloon begins its descent, with farmers toiling in the fields and children heading to school. (AP/Amr Nabil)

The ride lasts about 20 minutes, before the pilot begins looking for a safe landing zone. Tourists brace themselves for landing, a usually bumpy affair more akin to a soft crash landing. The details of life in rural Egypt come into view as the balloon begins its descent, with farmers toiling in the fields and children heading to school in the dusty roads of the west bank.

A dedicated ground crew riding a rugged truck tracks each balloon. The trucks maneuver in anticipation of the landing spot. Once the balloon touches down, they hurry to grab ropes to prevent it from taking off again or moving sideways.

___

If You Go...

LUXOR BALLOON RIDES: Price for balloon rides, including hotel transfers and a souvenir DVD, currently runs at around $30, a bargain without any of the usual haggling for which Luxor is notorious.

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.