Sixty hot air balloons decorated the skies of Luxor on Monday after weather conditions improved, carrying 875 Egyptians and foreigners 450 meters above the ground to view monuments and temples scattered in the western and eastern banks of the Nile. The sixty balloons from various companies only flew on four trips due to coronavirus precautionary measures, explained the director of a hot air balloon company in Luxor Hany al-Sayed. These balloon trips are one of the most adventurous tourism programs for Egyptians and foreigners who visit the monuments and archaeological and tourist destinations in Luxor. Prior to the coronavirus outbreak Luxor was the third best country for balloon flights, Zeid said, having operated 1,000 flights annually carrying nearly 216,000 tourists. Hot air balloon companies are now able to make more daily trips, after allowing balloons to fly at different times of the day, instead of being limited to the early morning hours only, Zeid added.

Source: Egypt Independent March 01, 2021 13:52 UTC