18 THRILLING Destinations For A Hot Air Balloon Experience
There are few experiences as exhilarating as soaring peacefully above the world in a hot air balloon. As the sun rises and the ground slowly comes into view, you can’t help but feel a sense of wonder at the magnificence of nature. For a few hours, you can forget all your worries and simply enjoy the moment. And when the ride is over, you’ll have a new appreciation for the world around you.
If you’ve ever been curious about hot air ballooning, this is your sign to give it a try.
Whether you want to see endangered animals sauntering through their natural habitat, castles that look like they've stepped out of a Disney movie, or gushing geysers and smoking volcanoes, there's a hot air balloon experience for everyone.
Top 8 Places For A Hot Air Balloon Experience
These eight destinations offer a variety of different, but equally breathtaking views from hundreds of feet above the ground.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is often named the hot air balloon capital of the world, and for good reason, as the Turkish sky is filled with hundreds of candy-colored balloons that dot the landscape every sunrise. Watching the balloons ascend into the sky is a sight to behold in itself, but getting in the basket is unforgettable!
The region is famous for its fairy chimneys which are rock formations that have been eroded over millions of years to create a truly unique and mesmerizing sight. There are also craggy cave dwellings, and poppy fields to be seen from above, and flights depart from the town of Goreme.
If you're wondering about the hot air balloon cost, Cappadocia is one of the most affordable places in the world to take part in an experience like this.
Loire Valley, France
If you want to feel like you're in a fairytale, floating through the Loire Valley provides the perfect experience. The valley is home to dozens of castles, including the world-famous Château de Chenonceau. You'll also get a bird's-eye view of the picturesque vineyards that produce some of the finest wine in the world. Even without castles and vineyards, the Loire Valley is a remarkable spectacle, with tumbling hills and meandering rivers. A hot air balloon experience through this part of France is sure to be a peaceful and calming experience.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Many people have a safari on their bucket list, but what about a chance to spot the wild animals from above? A balloon ride over the national park that is renowned for its sightings of rare and endangered creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure you'll never forget.
The Serengeti National Park is home to the big five— black rhinos, leopards, lions, buffalos, and elephants.
If you're lucky, you might also see hippos, giraffes, gazelles, and hyenas lazing around the park or heading to the watering hole.
If you time your balloon excursion right, you'll be able to see the Great Migration in action, when over two million wildebeest, zebras, and other exotic animals trek hundreds of miles to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. This takes place between May and July.
Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is an ancient city in Myanmar that was once home to over 10,000 religious dwellings. Today, over 2,000 temples and pagodas have survived, creating a landscape brimming with lofty spires and fascinating architecture. There is no better way to see the ancient region than from above. As the sun rises and shows off the silhouette of the religious monuments, you'll feel as if you've died and gone to historical heaven.
Once you've landed, exploring some of the temples on foot is a must. The most popular and impressive include the 11th-century Ananda Temple and Shwezigon Pagoda.
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Atacama Desert, Chile
With its vast, empty expanses and strange, alien-like landscape, it is easy to see why the Atacama Desert has been the setting for many movies and TV shows. On a hot air balloon experience of the region, you can expect to see plenty of captivating geological formations, including volcanoes, geysers, and salt flats. You might also spot some of the desert's resident wildlife, such as woolly llamas and vibrant flamingoes. There is plenty to see in the Atacama Desert and a hot air balloon ride gives you a sweeping view of the area without needing to don your hiking boots.
Balloon rides are typically available from October to March when the weather is cooler and there is less wind.
Monument Valley, Utah, USA
There are few places on earth as breathtaking as Monument Valley. Situated in the heart of the Navajo Nation, this stunning landscape is home to towering red rock formations, winding trails, and expansive desert vistas. Hundreds of thousands of visitors make their way to the tribal park every year, but only a few experience the valley from above. As you float over Monument Valley, you'll see sandstone buttes that have been carved by wind and rain, human dwellings nestled in nooks and crannies, and colorful desert flora growing in unexpected places. When the sun goes down, the valley comes alive with a glow that has to be seen to be believed.
Balloon enthusiasts will want to take a trip to Utah in January when the Monument Valley Balloon Event takes place.
Luxor, Egypt
Luxor city is home to a wealth of ancient Egyptian landmarks, including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, and the Temple of Hatshepsut.
If you want a rapid rundown of what makes the ancient city so special, take a hot air balloon ride in Luxor as the sun rises and turns the city to gold. You'll get unbeatable views of the Pyramids of Giza, temples, and tombs that have made the city famous. You'll also get a unique perspective on daily life in Egypt, as you'll be able to see farmers working in their fields and children playing in the streets. If that's not enough, catch a glimpse of the winding River Nile, which adds a cherry on top of the picture-perfect landscape.
Queenstown, New Zealand
New Zealand is known as a natural haven, with its imposing mountains, crystalline lakes, and lush forests. On a hot air balloon experience, you'll see mystical views that set the backdrop of the fantasy film, The Hobbit. Lake Wakatipu is another unmissable sight, as the sun touches the water and turns it into a shimmering mirror. All set against the snow-capped Southern Alps, it's no wonder that Queenstown made our list as one of the best destinations in the world for hot air balloon rides.
Even More Hot Air Balloon Ride Destinations
There are hundreds of incredible locations for hot air balloon experiences across the globe. Here are some more of the best:
Teotihuacan, Mexico
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Jaipur, India
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Dubai, UAE
Melbourne, Australia
Sedona, Arizona, USA
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Vilnius, Lithuania
Final Thoughts On Hot Air Balloon Ride Experiences
A hot air balloon ride is one of the most invigorating and enlightening experiences you'll ever participate in, and we're anticipating that once you've done it once, you won't stop until you've seen all of the places on this list from the air!