For more than two centuries, people have used hot air balloons to launch themselves into the atmosphere and observe the world below from a unique perspective. However, the thrilling experience of riding safely and comfortably in a hot air balloon has never been more accessible. Today, adventurous travelers from all corners of the world can enjoy the world’s most spectacular landscapes and magnificent views of ancient civilizations, and gain a new appreciation for the beauty and diversity that is planet Earth.
1. Cappadocia, Turkey
Located high plateau of Cappadocia in the Anatolian region of Turkey, where thousands of years of wind and rain shaped dotted with rock formations formed by volcanic eruptions. Some of the rocky limestone towers, known as “fairy chimneys”, became the home of the region’s oldest human inhabitants. Later populations carved ornate temples and underground cities into the rock. Hot air balloon flights are popular here, and operators are highly experienced, often directing baskets deep into the valleys for a close-up view of rocky structures.
2. Serengeti, Tanzania
You know the opening credits of The Lion King, which gives you a bird’s eye view across the savanna, and you see all the animals in action? With the Serengeti Balloon Safaris, you can have this image in real life when you take a hot air balloon tour over Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
From above, you’ll have an unobstructed view of lions, elephants, hippos, and giraffes that just survive. And until now, they won’t notice you, so you’ll see the amazing wild animals of Africa with all their pristine beauty. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. Napa Valley, USA
California’s Napa Valley is known all over the world for its picturesque vineyards, and the hot air balloon ride offers visitors the perfect way to experience the serene beauty of the countryside. Environmentally conscious residents and vineyard owners are committed to preserving the natural environment in all its glory so that passengers can enjoy the uninterrupted view. The mild weather throughout the year makes Napa Valley an ideal hot air balloon destination for all seasons. Local operators enhance the experience with knowledge of the region’s world-famous wineries.
3. Sossusvlei, Namibia
The alternating red and orange sands of the Namib Desert around Sossusvlei in still-unexplored Namibia are surprising when viewed truly out of this world when viewed from the ground and from above. The ever-changing designs of the dunes, drifting under a cloudless, blue African sky is an adventure that you will never forget once in a lifetime, relaxing your soul. You will pass over the longest and oldest dune on the planet (or as close as the winds take you).
Organize your hot air balloon safari through the Sossusvlei Lodge. As these dunes are so remote, you can’t just visit them on a day trip, and this is one of the best places to stay near NamibRand Nature Reserve. They do sunrise balloon rides (really amazing as the contrast of the light on the sand is most intense in the early hours of the day), an hour up in the air followed by a fresco at the landing site as part of a 3.5-hour excursion where an extravagant bush breakfast is served.
5. Albuquerque, New Mexico
For nine days in October, Albuquerque became the epicenter of the hot air balloon world when Albuquerque hosted the International Balloon Fiesta. The annual event is the largest hot air balloon race and festival on the planet and features mass climbs with fast racing competitions as well as hundreds of balloons rising simultaneously. Pretty great experience.
But even if you don’t visit New Mexico’s largest city during this fiesta, you can experience hot air balloon rides in the high desert landscape that meets the mountains throughout the year. There are numerous balloon companies, including World Balloon that offer flights around the city, and the often sunny weather of Albuquerque makes it an ideal climate.
6. Luxor, Egypt
Seeing Egypt’s Valley of the Kings from the basket of a hot air balloon, seeing the sunrise and the lush green landscape of the desert and the Nile River is an unforgettable sight. Luxor has a number of balloon companies that offer you the chance to view ancient tombs and temples from above, including Sindbad Balloons.
Excursions take off early in the morning and the direction and length of each flight are determined by the weather and winds of that day.
7. Monument Valley, Utah
Monument Valley, on the Arizona-Utah border, is another great place to take a hot air balloon ride. The scenery here comes from an old Western movie (in fact, it has played the backdrop of many movie scenes for decades), with soaring red rock formations as well as vast open spaces filled with mesas and gorges.
From a basket of balloons, you get a panoramic aerial view that allows you to appreciate how wide and empty this view really is. This is a great sunrise balloon experience. A number of companies offer tours, including Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Rides.
8. Bagan, Myanmar
Another of the world’s best lifetime ballooning spots is the Bagan region of Myanmar, where thousands of ancient temples, monasteries, and pagodas built between the 11th and 13th centuries spread across the plains. From a basket of balloons, you can truly understand how great this civilization is, and as the sun is just rising, the ruins glow like orange and gold with the first rays. A number of companies are offering hot air balloon safaris on this World Heritage Site in Bagan, including Oriental Ballooning.
9. Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown, the adventure sports capital of New Zealand, is a popular place to spend some time flying in the air. Many choose to do this with parachute jumping, bungee jumping, or sailing wing but hop into the basket of the hot air balloon for a better and often romantic aerial experience.
Sunrise Balloons offers sunrise balloon safaris that, as you guessed, showcase stunning natural beauty from an aerial perspective but don’t rely on releasing large amounts of adrenaline into your bloodstream. This allows you to evaluate the appearance a little further; Plus, about an hour, hot air balloon rides take much longer than jumping out of a plane.
10. Park City, Utah
In the summer, one of the best outdoor adventures you can have at Utah’s famous ski resort Park City is a hot air balloon tour. Park City Balloon Adventures organizes sunrise cruises that offer spectacular views of the Kamas Valley and the historic streets of Park City, which shrinks and shrinks as it rises. In the west, the rugged Wasatch Mountains shine with the rising sun, and it’s impossible not to be impressed by all this natural beauty.
Note, depending on the weather, you can book a hot air balloon tour in Park City in winter. Even though it was cold at first, it is still a magnificent experience to watch the sunrise, especially over the snow-covered landscape. If you are celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary with your lover in Park City, a winter hot air balloon ride may feel more romantic as they are usually less crowded.
11. Sedona, Arizona
This extraterrestrial beautiful red rock country around Sedona, Arizona is one of the best places in the world to take a hot air balloon ride. The larger-than-life view is best appreciated from above as the sun rises and causes the rocks to glow crimson in a pink and purple sky. This is a calm yet magnetic experience that goes hand in hand with Sedona’s reputation for hosting important energy fields known as vortices on Earth. Recommended balloon companies include Red Rock Balloon Adventures.
12. Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Florida
If you want to go up in a hot air balloon but the thought of floating free in the sky scares you, try a tethered balloon ride at Aerophile at Walt Disney World Disney Springs. For this balloon ride, during an eight-minute experience, you will rise nearly 400 feet into the sky and enjoy a 360-degree view of the park below.
On a clear day, you can see up to 10 miles from this Disney-built balloon with a 19-foot diameter basket that can hold 30 people including the pilot. Another nice thing about a tethered balloon flight is the cost. Only $ 20 for adults and $ 15 for children, that’s a tiny fraction of what you’d pay for an independent adventure.
13. Tuscany, Italy
With its beautiful scenery of golden and green hills and medieval villages and castles, drifting in a hot air balloon over Italy’s Tuscany region is one of the most romantic things you can do here – honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad place to recommend. Before sunrise, it is worth waking up to take a sunrise flight to watch the glow of the scenery and the rising sun with Tuscan Ballooning. Next, you will be treated to a local Tuscan breakfast featuring fresh farm products and freshly baked bread.