CAIRO: More than 1,700 tourists from around the world enjoyed recreational trips in Egypt by taking part in 73 hot air balloon flights over Luxor on Monday.
The activity is popular as tourists get a panoramic view of ancient Egyptian temples, tombs, the Nile River and green agricultural fields.
Ahmed Aboud, head of the Egyptian Federation of Hot Air Ballooning Companies in Luxor, said that pilots launched weather test balloons before takeoff.
He added that Luxor is the third-largest city operator of hot air balloons globally, and is renowned for its warm atmosphere.
Tourists were delighted to see the monuments and temples on the western mainland after being ferried by small boats across the Nile.
After breakfast, tourists are transported to the hot air balloon airport by bus.
This destination is popular among celebrities and attracts many flights.
Demand for trips increases in the winter, with tourists enjoying the magic of warm weather over the historical sites in the morning.
The balloons are comprehensively examined before each flight, with safety and personal security procedures being top priorities for tourists.
On Friday, 55 hot air balloons flew over western Luxor with 1,450 tourists of various nationalities. Last Tuesday, 72 hot air balloons flew over Upper Egypt carrying 1,613 tourists from different countries.
