15 Best Places To Ride a Hot Air Balloon in the World
One of the most special ways to see the world's breathtaking views from above is in a hot air balloon.
Travelers from all parts of the world can soak up a new, breathtaking perspectives of the world's most beautiful landscapes, historic civilizations, wildlife, and nature.
Here are the top 15 best places to ride hot air balloons in the world.
Best Places to Ride a Hot Air Balloon
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is famous for its classic safari adventure, which includes watching wildlife up close in a rugged Jeep. But if you want to see wildlife from a different perspective, a hot air balloon ride is the best option.
Serengeti Balloon Safaris elevates the experience by allowing balloonists to travel deeper into the park and away from the main roads to observe wild animals in the most natural setting possible. This balloon safari will allow you to appreciate how beautiful the park is and observe wild animals without disturbing them.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Find the best hot air balloon rides in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque is best known as the home of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Taking place over the course of 9 days every October, the event is the world's largest hot air balloon festival, featuring mass takeoffs with hundreds of balloons ascending simultaneously. They also have hot air balloon speed racing events. This festival is a great way to experience a hot air balloon ride and take part in the other related festivities.
Because of the pleasant temperatures, clear sky, and gentle weather, more than 300 balloonists live in Albuquerque and operate all year.
Luxor, Egypt
Seeing Egypt's historical Valley of the Kings from a hot air balloon basket over a thousand feet above as the sun rises over ancient tombs and temples, watching the transition of the desert and the Nile River slowly turning to gold, is a stunning scene you'll never forget.
With Sindbad Balloons, you’ll get to explore the tombs of the famous pharaohs located in a remote valley between Luxor's cliffs on the Nile River's west bank. You’ll also get to view historical sights, such as the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, as well as learn about history and culture from your guide.
Bagan, Myanmar
The greatest way to see the more than 8,000 temples and pagodas of Bagan is to take a magnificent hot air balloon journey through the early morning skies. You’ll be amazed how huge this civilization was from above.
The well-known Balloons over Bagan tours provide a beautiful journey over the terrain, flying visitors above Bagan's temples and past local villages. The balloon may also soar over towns where you'll observe folks doing their daily routine, walking to the markets, or looking after their livestock early in the morning.
Cappadocia, Turkey
One of the world’s most famous hot air balloon destinations is Cappadocia. Cappadocia's exotic scenery includes 60-million-year-old colorful rock formations known as fairy chimneys and beautiful hillside settlements.
Find the best hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia.
Hot air balloon trips in Cappadocia are available from several companies, including Royal Balloon Tours. They offer a 1,000-foot flight over the stunning valleys and rock formations, as well as a full breakfast and a champagne toast at the end of the trip.
Sedona, Arizona
The iconic red rocks of Sedona, Arizona create a breathtaking landscape under the basket of a hot air balloon. Sedona, located high in the desert at 4,500 feet elevation, is famous for its stunning red rock formations, some of which tower over a mile into the Arizona sky.
You'll fly across the Coconino National Forest's varied terrain, which includes red rocks, desert, and alpine tundra, mountains and canyons, and ponderosa pine woods. Wild animals such as mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, and others can also be seen.
Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley's outstanding vineyards and magnificent castles are just a few of the highlights of this wonderful balloon journey in France's north-central region. Take an aerial journey to enjoy the sights with AERFUN Balloons .
Along the Loire River, you’ll witness a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a flowing river and beautiful green scenery. You'll get a unique view of groomed gardens of the region's castles, carpets of vineyards dotting the countryside, beautiful forest and parks along the Loire River Valley, and ancient towns with bright flowers dotting the windows of wooden frame buildings.
Letchworth State Park, New York
With the roaring Genesee River canyon flowing through the park and surrounded by cliffs and woodlands, Letchworth State Park is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East." It is also one of the most magnificent locations to view from a hot air balloon in the Eastern United States.
With Balloons Over Letchworth, you can float over New York's lovely countryside and the most stunning spots in the park. You can also see magnificent waterfalls, some of which reach 600 feet in height.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
One of the greatest hot air balloon rides in the world is available just outside of Dubai. This once-in-a-lifetime experience begins with a sunrise over the Hajar Mountains as the balloon glides into the Dubai desert. From 4,000 feet in the air, riders can see an endless horizon of golden dunes populated by animals like gazelles, Arabian oryx, and camels.
This tour is offered by Balloon Adventures Dubai and includes round-trip transportation from Dubai.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Float above traditional Swiss huts and villages dwarfed by Gstaad's majestic rocky cliffs and mountain landscapes against a brilliant blue sky. The stunning atmosphere for this balloon trip over the resort town of Gstaad is Alpine landscapes, pastoral villages, and pure lakes.
With over 9000 feet in the sky, you'll see stunning views such as:
- The Alpine
- Mont Blanc
- Eiger
- Mönch
- Jungfrau
- Lake Geneva
Depending on the weather, the trip may also include flying over the:
- Gruyère valley
- Emmental
- Rhone Plain
Queenstown, New Zealand
A hot air balloon ride is a unique way to view Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure sports center from the air.
Sunrise Balloons provides spectacular views of the outstanding Lake Wakatipu and other Queenstown and Arrowtown natural wonders. Compared to other air activities, a hot air balloon trip allows you to enjoy the beautiful sceneries and amazing landscape for a longer period. You can take photos, videos, and relax while appreciating the sight.
Park City, Utah
One of the best reasons for visiting Park City, Utah, is to go on a balloon ride, especially during summer. Those same majestic peaks that provide so much fun for skiers and snowboarders in the winter serve as the perfect backdrop for a summer ride over the skies.
Park City Balloon Adventures offers sunrise balloon rides with breathtaking views of the Kamas Valley and Park City's historical roads. Be amazed by how beautiful the rocky Wasatch Mountains are when lit up by the rising sun.
Napa Valley, California
The magnificent vineyards of California's Napa Valley are famous across the world, and a hot air balloon flight is an excellent way to experience the beauty of the area. Mount St. Helena and the Mayacamas Mountains can be seen in the distance, with vast vineyards in the foreground.
To finish off the flying journey, many balloon companies, such as Up & Away Ballooning, provide breakfast and wine sampling packages with their rides.
Yangshuo, China
Although most people enjoy Yangshuo by boat, hot air ballooning is becoming more popular in China. Float across Yangshuo countryside in a hot air balloon and enjoy the charming karst environment. The limestone karst formations near Yangshuo and Guilin attract travelers from all over the world, providing surreal scenery along the Li River.
Untethered flights soar to 4,900 feet and take you through the karst peaks and adjacent farms, while tethered flights reach just approximately 300 feet and are an equally enticing choice for those who choose to stay closer to the ground.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Another ancient site hot air balloon trip that is a must-try is in Angkor Archeological Park. The Angkor Wat temple complex, which is considered the world's biggest religious structure, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Angkor Wat temple, which was built in the early 12th century and is Cambodia's most popular tourist site, is a superb example of classical Khmer architecture. Enjoy an aerial picture of the temple and be amazed at how large and gorgeous it is from the sky.
