Hot Air Balloon Sunrise

Before dawn, dozens of hot air balloons launch from the West Bank and drift up over Luxor's ancient landscape as the sun rises — the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the patchwork of green farmland along the Nile, all laid out below in the first light of day.

Flights typically last 45 minutes to an hour, reaching altitudes that give a genuinely different perspective on how the tombs, temples and farmland relate to each other geographically — something that's hard to grasp from the ground.

Only book through a licensed, well-reviewed operator, and expect an early wake-up call — balloons launch at first light, and pickup from your hotel is usually well before dawn.