Traveling by balloon through Egypt
The path of the brightly colored balloons through Egypt 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.
- 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 Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, the Nile River is partially shrouded in early morning clouds in Luxor, Egypt. They take off at first light, balloons over Luxor, Egypt, providing sky-high views of antiquities below. The city in southern Egypt is one of the world’s largest outdoor museums, with majestic temples and tombs of ancient kings. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
- 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 Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, a hot air balloon flies over the Colossi of Memnon 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. The city in southern Egypt is one of the world’s largest outdoor museums. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, the details of life in rural Egypt come into view as the balloon begins its descent, on 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 Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, ground crew members collect a hot air balloon after a tour over the west bank of the Nile River, in Luxor, Egypt. They take off at first light, reinforced wicker baskets filled with people, heading into the skies over Luxor, Egypt. 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. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
- 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 Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, a hot air balloon lands as the ground crew secures the balloon after a tour over the west bank of the Nile River, in Luxor, Egypt. They take off at first light, reinforced wicker baskets filled with people, heading into the skies over Luxor, Egypt. 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. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken from a balloon Friday, April 1, 2016, farmers harvest their wheat as the balloon descends, on 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. The ride lasts about 20 minutes, before the pilot begins looking for a safe landing zone. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
- In this picture taken Friday, April 1, 2016, a hot air balloon prepares to take off on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. They take off at first light, providing sky-high views of antiquities below. Luxor in southern Egypt is one of the world’s largest outdoor museums, with majestic temples and tombs of ancient kings. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
- 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. The path of the brightly colored balloons is determined by prevailing winds. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)