We've all once wondered what it would be like to be a bird and have the best views in the animal kingdom. While we can't fly, hot air ballooning could be the next best thing. It provides a bird’s-eye view of some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet. If you're not afraid of heights, hot air balloons offer a unique way to experience the world. Perfect for adrenaline seekers who don't like to be quite as extreme as bungee jumping, hot air ballooning can provide the ideal marriage of thrill-seeking and exploration. Whether you’re drifting over ancient temples, gliding above rolling vineyards, or soaring high above a bustling city, some places are best observed from above.
Most Scenic Hot Air Ballooning Sites
A hot air balloon flight is a popular tourist activity and alternative way to explore a destination. Whether you’re drifting over ancient temples, gliding above rolling vineyards, or soaring high above a bustling city, these hot-air ballooning locations provide unforgettable experiences that capture the beauty and diversity of our world.
1. Bagan Hot Air Balloons - Myanmar
A hot air balloon ride over Bagan, Myanmar, is nothing short of a spiritual journey. This ancient city, once the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, is home to over 2,000 temples, pagodas, and stupas, making it one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. We suggest booking a Bagan hot air balloon ride at the crack of dawn - Watching the sun rise over this historic site, casting a golden glow over the temples, is an awe-inspiring sight and unforgettable experience.
Why It’s Special:
What sets Bagan apart is the sheer density and variety of its temples, spread across the plains like jewels scattered on a vast carpet. The temples vary in size and design, from towering spires to smaller, intricately carved shrines. This concentration of ancient architecture, combined with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, creates an unparalleled visual spectacle.
How to get there: Fly to Nyaung-U Airport. Balloons over Bagan will pick you up from your hotel at the crack of dawn.
Price: $335 USD per person (including hotel transfers)
2. Serengeti Balloon Safaris - Tanzania
You don't get much better than this. Not only is an African wildlife safari a bucket list item in itself, but Serengeti National Park is as good as it gets. And if you time it during the great migration season, July to October, you will witness one of the greatest nature spectacles on the planet. To top it off, you will not get a better view of the event than from up in a hot air balloon.
Why It’s Special:
What makes ballooning over the Serengeti truly special is the opportunity to observe the Great Migration, one of nature’s most extraordinary events. Each year, over a million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, traverse the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing lands. This massive movement of animals, driven by the primal need for survival, is a breathtaking sight to behold, especially from the sky.
How to get there: Fly to Arusha and arrange accommodation or camp in the Serengeti where they can collect you for the hot air balloons.
Price: Serengeti Balloon Safaris is US$599 per person for 1-hour flights. While this is the most expensive on the list, we suppose you need to factor in that it doubles as a luxury travel safari at one of the best places to see wildlife.
3. Château d'Oex Hot Air Balloon Ride - Switzerland
Arguably one of the most picturesque countries in the world, it would be a crime not to include a Switzerland hot air balloon tour on the list. Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Château-d'Oex is a charming mountain village surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush valleys that offers an idyllic setting for a hot air balloon adventure. The combination of stunning alpine scenery and the thrill of ballooning makes Château-d'Oex a must-visit destination for those seeking a magical experience in the heart of fairy-tale land.
Why It’s Special:
Château-d'Oex is particularly famous for its International Hot Air Balloon Festival, held every January, which attracts balloonists from all over the world. During the festival, the skies above the village are filled with vibrant balloons of all shapes and sizes, creating a mesmerizing spectacle against the backdrop of the Alps. But even if you cannot make it during the cultural festival, the scenery is so spectacular that any time of the year will do.
How to get there: While there are several ways to get there, we highly suggest flying to Geneva and taking a train to Château-d’Oex, one of the world's most scenic rail journeys. The hot air balloons take off from the village of Château-d’Oex, in the morning.
Price: Château-d’Oex Balloons flights spend 3 hours and 30 minutes up in the air with prices ranging from CHF 210.00 (Approx. $250 USD) for a child up to CHF 1440.00 (approx. $1700 USD) for 4 adults. Considering the epic duration, this presents great value for money.
4. Luxor Modern Hot Air Balloon - Egypt
This one's for ancient history lovers. A hot air balloon ride over Luxor, Egypt, offers a journey back in time, floating above the ancient architectural wonders of the world and most historically rich regions. Luxor, often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum, is home to a wealth of archaeological treasures from the time of the Pharaohs. We'd rate this balloon flight up there with the best.
Why It’s Special:
Luxor’s significance lies in its unparalleled concentration of ancient monuments, many of which date back over 3,000 years. The modern hot air balloon flight offers a unique perspective on these sites, particularly the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Luxor and Karnak. The Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of many Pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, lies nestled in the cliffs on the west bank of the Nile. From the air, you can appreciate the scale and grandeur of this necropolis, set against the stark beauty of the surrounding desert.
How to get there: Luxor has only one airport if you choose to fly. However, we highly suggest taking one of the world's greatest guided river cruises, the Nile River cruise from Cairo to Luxor. Once there, King Tut hot air balloons will pick you up from your accommodation in Luxor.
Price: Unfortunately, King Tut does not list their prices and you have to make an enquiry.
5. Atacama Desert - Chile
A hot air balloon ride over the Atacama Desert in Chile is an extraordinary adventure that takes you above one of the most extreme environments on Earth. This is because the Atacama is the driest non-polar desert in the world, and its stark, otherworldly landscapes make for a truly unique ballooning experience.
Why It’s Special:
Despite the remoteness, San Pedro Atacama Balloons consist of professional pilots and experienced ground crew who operate modern balloons to guide you over the desert’s unique geology. With its salt flats, volcanic peaks, and mineral-rich soil, it creates a palette of colors that shift and change with the light. You’ll glide over expansive famous salt flats that shimmer in the sunlight, creating the illusion of a vast, white sea. To contrast this, the desert’s volcanic peaks and snow-capped summits, some of which are among the tallest in the Andes, rise dramatically from the plains as a gorgeous backdrop.
How to get there: Atacama Balloons operate from San Pedro de Atacama Village. Fly from Santiago to the city of Calama, and then head towards Las Chilcas s/n, San Pedro de Atacama.
Price: CLP$ 305.000 ($330 USD) per person
6. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - New Mexico, USA
Albuquerque, New Mexico, is synonymous with hot air ballooning, thanks to its status as the host of the world’s largest and most famous hot air balloon festival. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta draws balloon enthusiasts and spectators from around the globe each October, transforming the sky into a vibrant canvas of shapes and colors. Another notable hot air balloon ride in the USA is the Napa Valley, California.
Why It’s Special:
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is truly one of a kind. The event is famous for its “Mass Ascensions,” where balloons take off in waves, filling the sky with a kaleidoscope of colors. The Fiesta also features special shaped balloons, from whimsical characters to intricate designs, adding to the visual delight. What makes Albuquerque particularly well-suited for ballooning is its unique weather phenomenon known as the “Albuquerque Box,” a set of predictable wind patterns that allow balloons to drift in one direction at lower altitudes and return at higher altitudes.
How to get there: There are a plethora of hot air balloon options, one being Fly Albuquerque that meet at 6231 Riverside Plaza Ln in town. There is free parking and the pilot and crew take you to the launch site, new heights and up in the clouds.
If you wish to visit the Fiesta, it runs from October 5- 13 (2024). Make hotel reservations well in advance.
Price: There are a range of options starting from $179 per person for the Rio Grande and up to $1200 for a private executive flight for four passengers.
7. Cappadocia (winter edition) - Turkey
Arguably the most famous hot air balloon ride on the list that isn't a festival, Cappadocia combines breathtaking scenery with history and architecture wonders of the world. As such, and due to the popularity of the event, we are suggesting the winter edition when its surreal landscape is dusted with snow. The region, located in central Turkey, is famous for its unique rock formations known as "fairy chimneys," ancient cave dwellings, and sweeping valleys.
Why It’s Special:
Cappadocia’s landscape is unlike any other in the world, and hot air ballooning is the ultimate way to appreciate its full grandeur. What makes winter ballooning in Cappadocia especially captivating is the serene, snow-covered landscape, which adds an extra layer of tranquility and magic to the experience. The fairy chimneys and rock-carved monasteries, capped with snow, transform the already mystical scenery into something straight out of a fairy tale.
How to get there: There are two airports, the Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) and the Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR), Cappadocia is also well connected by train and bus services. While balloon inflation can take place all year, the best season to launch for altitude temperature is April to November. Cappadocia Balloon Tours offers free pick-up from any hotel located within Cappadocia.
Price: Prices start from €240 for a 60-minute flight to €330 for 100-minute flights.
8. Queenstown - New Zealand
Set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, Queenstown is a thrilling and picturesque destination for hot air ballooning. Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, it offers a serene and scenic side with its majestic mountains, lush forests, and glacial lakes. Floating high above this iconic landscape, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of some of the most breathtaking sights New Zealand has to offer. Flights take off a dawn meaning you get the sunrise and the best lighting.
Why It’s Special:
What makes hot air ballooning over Queenstown truly spectacular is the sheer variety of landscapes on display. From the alpine peaks that rise above the town to the serene waters of Lake Wakatipu, the constantly changing scenery offers endless beauty. Queenstown is also steeped in cinematic history as one of the key filming locations for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. As you glide across the skies, you’ll recognize Middle Earth set locations such as the Remarkables mountain range and surrounding valleys, making the flight a dream for fans of the series and nature lovers alike.
How to get there: Queenstown International Airport. Sunrise Balloon Adventures is located 15 minutes from Queenstown (it's a small ski resort) and they organize transfers from town.
Price: Prices start from $545 NZD (Approx. $337 USD) for adults and $295 NZD (Approx. $182 USD) for adults for an hour's flight with a champagne celebration for adult passengers at the landing site.
9. Rajasthan - India
A hot air balloon ride over Rajasthan offers a magical way to experience the royal and rugged beauty of India’s largest state. Known for its grand palaces, sprawling deserts, and vibrant culture, Rajasthan is a destination that uniquely blends history and natural beauty.
Why It’s Special:
Rajasthan’s hot air ballooning experiences stand out because of the sheer diversity of the scenery. The state’s rich history is on full display during the hour flight, with majestic fortresses like the Amber Fort in Jaipur, intricately designed palaces, and ancient temples dotting the landscape. The vibrant color palette—from the golden sands of the desert to the bright hues of the local markets and the Pink and Blue Cities of Jodhpur—creates visually striking and stunning views.
How to get there: Sky Waltz hot air balloons are highly rated with professional pilots and their take-off and landing site changes depending on the wind conditions. Hot air balloon flight season is September to April and you fly into Jaipur International Airport.
Price: They have two flight options - one over Samode Palace and Village and another over Amber Fort and Village. Both go for one hour and cost $300 per adult and $200 per child (Indian nationals pay less).
10. Melbourne - Australia
One of the best places to visit down under, Melbourne offers the rare opportunity to soar above a bustling modern metropolis in a hot air balloon, making it the only capital city in the world where you can experience such a unique flight. From above, you’ll get a sense of just how sprawling this modern city is, as well as take in iconic landmarks, and nearby natural beauty that make this city one of Australia’s most dynamic destinations.
Why It’s Special:
Melbourne’s hot air ballooning experience is unlike any other because it combines the thrill of floating above a lively and bustling cosmopolitan city below with the serenity of a balloon ride. As the only capital city in the world where hot air balloon flights are allowed over the central business district, Melbourne offers a perfect blend of urban and natural views.
How to get there: Global Ballooning arranges a meeting point at a hotel in Melbourne's CBD. From there, a shuttle service takes you to the balloon inflation site.
Price: They have a range of options, starting from $598 AUD (Approx. $400) per person for a group flight to $5800 AUD (Approx. $4000) for a private balloon ride for two persons.
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