3 Days in Luxor: Temples, Tombs and a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
3 Days in Luxor: Temples, Tombs and a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
If Cairo is Egypt’s chaotic heart, Luxor is its ancient soul. This is where pharaohs built temples for the gods, carved their stories into stone and painted entire underground worlds so they could live forever.
We spent 3 days in Luxor exploring both sides of the Nile – temples, tombs, village streets and quiet sunsets on the water – and it became one of our favorite places in Egypt.
Here’s our exact 3‑day Luxor itinerary, with the tours we booked, the mistakes we made and the experiences we’d do again in a second.
How Long to Stay in Luxor?
Could you “do Luxor” in one day from a cruise ship? Technically, yes. But you’d miss everything that makes this place special.
3 days in Luxor felt like the sweet spot:
- Enough time for Karnak and Luxor Temple without rush
- A full day on the West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, artisan village
- Sunrise hot air balloon and sunset felucca ride on the Nile
And yes, we skipped the Nile cruise on purpose – more on that later.
Where to Stay in Luxor
We based ourselves on the East Bank, near the Nile, at Pyramisa Hotel Luxor for three nights. Having a pool to escape the afternoon heat and views of the river made a huge difference.
Tip: Choose a place within easy reach of the Nile promenade and taxis. You’ll thank yourself every time you come back exhausted from the West Bank.
Day 1 – Karnak & Luxor Temple Without the Crowds
Sunrise: around 06:35
Main tour: Luxor Highlights Tour (~8 hours)
Morning at Karnak Temple
We started our first full day in Luxor with a traditional Egyptian breakfast: warm bread, falafel, spreads and strong coffee. By 8:00 a.m. we were already at Karnak Temple.
Arriving early was the best decision of the entire day. At that time the Great Hypostyle Hall – a forest of 134 massive columns – was almost empty. We could walk in silence, touch the carved hieroglyphs and watch the light move slowly across the stone.
By 9:30 a.m., it was a completely different story: 30°C and full tour buses. If you remember one thing from this article, make it this:
Come to Karnak as soon as it opens.
Why We Skipped the Nile Cruise
Walking through Karnak surrounded by crowds gave us a preview of what a cruise schedule would feel like: same places, same times, same photos.
We wanted something slower and more flexible, so we chose to base ourselves in Luxor and book local tours instead of being tied to a ship’s timetable. That way, we could show up early or late, stay longer, or change plans if we were tired.
Afternoon: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon
In the afternoon our guide drove us across the Nile to the West Bank – the land of the dead.
- Valley of the Kings: we visited several tombs, including Ramses II. Inside, the air was thick and hot, like a sauna, but the colors on the walls were unreal – deep blues, bright yellows, scenes of gods and afterlife journeys.
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: a striking temple built into the cliffs, dedicated to one of Egypt’s most powerful female rulers.
- Colossi of Memnon: two giant statues guarding the road, a quick but impressive stop.
What to know: the West Bank gets very hot. Bring water, a hat and light clothes. Some tombs feel like stepping into a steam room – beautiful but intense.
The Constant Hustle (and the “Ferrari” Story)
On our way back, we tried to walk a bit and “get lost” in the streets. Instead, we ended up in a constant negotiation with horse‑cart drivers, shop owners and would‑be guides.
At some point, a driver proudly showed us his horse cart and called it his “Ferrari”, insisting we should ride with him to the market. We agreed on a very short ride for a few euros… and still had to say no multiple times to extra stops and upsells.
Tip: In Luxor, learn to say a firm but friendly “No, thank you” and repeat it as many times as needed. It’s part of the experience.
Day 2 – Hot Air Balloon at Sunrise & Felucca at Sunset
Balloon tour: Hot Air Balloon over Luxor
Boat ride: Felucca Ride on the Nile
Floating Above the Nile at Sunrise
The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. We stumbled out of bed, grabbed a quick coffee and joined the group in the dark on the West Bank.
Soon the burners started roaring and one by one, more than 50 hot air balloons lit up against the night sky. When we finally took off, the noise of the city disappeared. Below us: the Nile, green fields, scattered villages, the Valley of the Kings and the desert beyond.
It’s one of those experiences you remember for life – and one we’d recommend to anyone coming to Luxor.
Slow Afternoon: Papyrus, Pool & Nile Views
After the flight we visited Lotus Papyrus Luxor, a small papyrus workshop, and had lunch at Abydos Nile View, a simple spot with great views over the river.
The rest of the afternoon was all about recharging by the pool – highly recommended after waking up before sunrise.
Sunset Felucca Ride on the Nile
In the late afternoon we boarded a traditional felucca, a wooden sailboat used on the Nile for centuries.
No engine, no loud music, just the sound of water against the boat and the wind in the sail. As the sun started to set, the light turned golden and the West Bank temples became silhouettes against the sky.
It was one of the most peaceful moments of our entire week in Egypt.
Day 3 – Artisans, Queens and the Balloon That Almost Didn’t Happen
If you have a third day in Luxor, use it to go deeper into the West Bank and see what most visitors skip.
Deir el‑Medina: Village of the Artisans
Deir el‑Medina was one of our favorite stops: a village where the artisans who built the tombs of the pharaohs actually lived. Their own tombs are smaller but incredibly well preserved, with bright colors and intimate scenes of daily life and the afterlife.
Walking here with a local guide felt like being let into the backstage of ancient Egypt – the place where the people who made eternity possible actually slept, ate and told stories.
Valley of the Queens & Local Encounters
We continued to the Valley of the Queens, the resting place of powerful queens and royal children. The tombs we visited were quieter than the Valley of the Kings and felt almost private.
On the way, our guide introduced us to local friends, invited us for coffee and took us to viewpoints we would have never found by ourselves. That’s when we realized that in Luxor, the right guide is everything.
What About the Balloon Weather?
Our first hot air balloon attempt was actually cancelled because of wind conditions. It happens – and it’s frustrating when you wake up at 4 a.m. for nothing.
Tip: If the balloon is high on your list, book it for your first morning in Luxor. That way, if weather cancels it, you still have a backup day.
Why We’d Choose 3 Days in Luxor Again
Looking back, spending three nights in Luxor instead of rushing through on a cruise was one of our best decisions in Egypt.
- We could visit temples early, before the heat and the crowds.
- We had time for both “big hits” and smaller, quieter places.
- We met locals, drank coffee with them and heard their stories.
- We had slow moments: sunsets on the Nile, pool breaks, walks through village streets.
Luxor is not just a checklist of sights; it’s a place to feel history under your feet and above your head.
Book the Same Luxor Experiences We Loved
- Luxor Highlights Tour – Karnak, Luxor Temple, West Bank
- Sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor
- Sunset felucca ride on the Nile
We’ll soon add this entire 3‑day Luxor itinerary to our interactive Egypt map, together with photo spots, restaurants and viewpoints. And if you want to bring a piece of Luxor home, keep an eye on our shop – we’re turning our favorite shots into fine‑art prints and custom maps.
Until then, save this guide, pin your favorite photos and start planning your own 3 days in Luxor. The temples will be waiting.