There is nothing like gliding through the sky in a massive floating vessel while enjoying an aerial view of a landscape and sunrise.
The perspective from above the sky is always more enchanting than adventuring on foot. Hot air balloon rides can be expensive but the experience is usually worth every penny. Scroll down to learn about some of the world’s best spots to soar in the sky.
Serengeti, Tanzania
When you are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National park, you’d surely head for a classic safari, but what if you want to get off the beaten Jeep track? The balloon safaris of Serengeti take the experience to new heights, enabling ballooners to enter deeper into the park and away from the regular trails on land to enjoy the wildlife. The unobstructed view from far up will offer a bird’s eye view and you can witness the magnificent beauty of Africa.
Cappadocia, Turkey
One of the most famous hot air balloon rides is over Cappadocia's fairy chimney rock formations. The chimneys are otherworldly, cone-like bizarre rock formations that look stunning when viewed from the basket of a hot air balloon. Several ballooning companies provide rides through the whimsical landscape. The duration of the rides lasts between 45 minutes to 2 hours. For a more affordable ride, you can opt for a group trip but for the experience of a lifetime, try a private tour that stays up longer.
Luxor, Egypt
When you drift over the ancient tombs and temples of Egypt, it’s easy to feel like you have traveled back in time. View Egypt's Valley of the Kings from a hot air balloon, as the sun rises and turns the mesmerizing desert into a golden landscape. It is a sight that you’ll never forget. The trips depart in the early morning, and the duration and direction of every ride vary as per the winds and weather of the day.
Bagan, Myanmar
If you thought exploring the temples and jungles of Myanmar’s Bagan Archaeological Zone would be incredible, wait until you witness the ancient complex from the sky. Rise through the mists of Bagan and get a glimpse of how monumental this civilization was, and the ruins appear to glow orange and gold with the first rays of the sun.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Every October, Albuquerque becomes the epicenter of the hot air ballooning world when it hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Over the course of nine days, the annual event features mass ascents of more than 500 balloons and speed racing competitions. Even if you don’t visit Albuquerque during the fiesta, you can still go for hot air balloon rides throughout the year.
Are you ready to undertake a dramatic journey in the air?
