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If you think visiting the Giza Pyramids means walking around the monuments, taking a few photos, and leaving, think again. The Giza Pyramids area is preparing to welcome an entirely new tourism experience: a tethered balloon that will take visitors 150 metres above the ground, offering breathtaking views of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the surrounding area from a perspective they have never seen before. The best part? The entire experience will last around 15 minutes. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is a Tethered Balloon?

Before you imagine yourself floating freely over Giza, there is an important distinction to make. This new balloon is not a free-floating hot-air balloon that travels with the wind. Instead, the balloon will remain attached to the ground and move vertically. It will take visitors up to 150 metres before bringing them back down to the starting point. In simple terms, you will remain in roughly the same location, but instead of viewing the Pyramids from ground level, you will see them from above, enjoying a wide panoramic view of the entire area. The project is the first of its kind in the vicinity of the Giza Pyramids and represents a new addition to the activities visitors can enjoy when exploring one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites.

15 Minutes Above the Pyramids

The experience will last approximately 15 minutes. While relatively short, this should be enough time to take in the area from a completely different perspective. The balloon will reach 150 metres above the ground, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the Pyramids and their surroundings. However, the experience will be more than simply going up and enjoying the view. During the journey, visitors will receive information about the Pyramids area and its most important landmarks, combining sightseeing with an introduction to the history of the location. The commentary will be available in 12 different languages through specially designed glasses and headphones, allowing each visitor to select their preferred language.

Where Is the New Balloon Located?

The project is located outside the immediate archaeological boundaries of the site, in a desert area approximately two kilometres from the Pyramids and around 2.2 kilometres from the Sphinx. This means the balloon will not be installed directly inside the archaeological zone, which is particularly important given the area’s historical and exceptional value. Another key aspect is that the project did not require underground excavation or concrete construction that would affect the soil. Instead, lightweight structures and prefabricated components were used. These are installed above ground and can be dismantled and reassembled, helping minimise the project’s potential impact on the area and its surroundings.

Will the View Really Be That Different?

This is arguably the most exciting part of the experience. We are used to seeing the Giza Pyramids from the ground, whether from directly in front of them or from the popular viewing points around the site. But once you rise 150 metres above the ground, the entire picture changes. Rather than seeing the Pyramid as the main focus in front of you, you will be able to appreciate its relationship with the surrounding desert, roads, buildings, and urban landscape. The project is ultimately designed to give visitors a new perspective of the Giza Pyramids and their surroundings, rather than simply providing another way to reach a higher viewpoint.

Who Is Behind the Project?

The project is being carried out by Tashreef Tourism Marketing in cooperation with French company Aerophile, which specialises in developing and operating tethered balloon experiences around the world. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy conducted an inspection tour of the Giza Pyramids area to follow up on the project’s progress and review its different stages before the balloon begins its trial operations. During the tour, the technical components and specifications of the balloon were presented, along with details about its operation and the measures being taken regarding safety, security, and environmental sustainability.

What About Safety?

Naturally, safety is one of the most important considerations for an experience like this. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, safety, security, sustainability, and preserving the Pyramids’ visual landscape were among the main priorities throughout the project. The goal is not only to ensure that the balloon is safe for visitors, but also to make sure that its presence does not negatively affect the archaeological site or its distinctive visual identity. For this reason, technologies and procedures have been adopted to meet high safety and security standards while taking the nature and historical importance of the site into consideration. During his tour, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities emphasised that preserving the archaeological character and distinctive visual identity of the Pyramids area, alongside the highest standards of safety and environmental sustainability, remains a key priority for the project.

A New Way to Experience the Pyramids

Ultimately, the project aims to change the way visitors experience the Pyramids. There is certainly no shortage of fame when it comes to the Giza Pyramids. They are among the most recognisable landmarks in the world. Yet even a site visited by millions of people every year can offer new perspectives that make each visit feel different. The tethered balloon aims to provide one of those perspectives. Fifteen minutes in the sky, 150 metres above the ground, with information about the area available in 12 languages and panoramic views of the Pyramids and their surroundings. The project’s trial operation is expected to begin soon, following the completion of the necessary preparations and procedures. With that, visiting the Pyramids could become more than simply saying, “I went to the Pyramids and saw them.” Instead, visitors will have the chance to see one of the world’s greatest ancient wonders from above, all in an experience lasting just 15 minutes.