6 Incredible hot-air balloon spots around the world

Flying in a hot-air balloon is one of those experiences you should have at least once in your life! It’s amazing to see the world from above and see life pass by beneath you. Especially when the balloon is not too high and you can still see people walk on the street, it’s just such a unique experience! Flying in a hot-air balloon was somehow very calming to me as you move slowly through the air. The fire gives it a “push” once in a while but generally I felt like we were just floating.

There are many locations around the world where you can go for a ride, but some are just more worthy than others.

1. Bagan, Myanmar

oing for a hot-air balloon ride in Bagan was a must for me when visiting Myanmar. I had seen the photos and heard such great stories that I had to do it. I also heard that sometimes it’s not possible to depart because of the weather conditions, so I was a bit scared this would happen to me, but luckily it didn’t. That morning we were picked up at our hostel very early. It was still pitch black outside. Bagan is not a very lighted city so when the sun is down, it’s extremely dark.

This sunset hot-air balloon was in one word: MAGICAL! You fly over the hundreds of old beautiful temples in Bagan and eventually land on a sandy area that kind of looks like a sandbank. Although the colours of the sunrise that day weren’t very intense, it was still a fantastic experience. I also thought it was pretty cool that we had a female captain. She actually told us that she was one of the few female hot-air balloon captains.

I booked by flight with Oriental Ballooning, they have very good reviews and are a very professional organisation.

2. Teotihuacan – CDMX, Mexico

I tried to surprise my boyfriend with this hot-air balloon flight. Unfortunately, the pick up at 4.30 in the morning kind of ruined it 🙂

Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage site near Mexico city and a highlight for tourists. It’s an ancient city which used to be one of the largest cities of the world a looong time ago. You can find the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon here. These are nice to visit from the ground, but it’s even more impressive to see the city from up high. As there is still a lot of mystery around the actual history of this city, you might hear different stories. Don’t look for the facts, just take in the fact that this was built ages ago.

We did our hot-air balloon flight with Flying Pictures and had a great experience. This flight + breakfast has a lot of great ratings as well.

3. Queenstown, New Zealand

 Queenstown is one of those perfectly located cities. It is located on the south island of New Zealand and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. There is a gorgeous blue lake right next to it as well. Queenstown offers lots of activities for adrenaline-junkies, such as skydiving and bungeejumping. But did you know Queenstown is also a ski and snowboard destination in winter? Queenstown is a stunning place to go for a hot-air balloon ride. I’m sure you will enjoy the views of the mountains and lakes. Apparently the best time for this is New Zealand’s winter time: June till August.

4. Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is located in central Turkey and known for its surreal landscapes and unique rock formations. Walking around here nearly feels like walking on a different planet. You have probably seen the photos of a dreamy sky full of colourful balloons. Cappadocia has become very popular in a short time. This means everything in and around Göreme has been created for tourists. You can rent colourful dresses, drive around in old-timers, ride horses and have a romantic picnic. All of this with the picturesque hot-air balloons in the background and to get that perfect photo.

Instead, you could also go for a hot-air balloon ride yourself! See the fairy chimneys and caves in the valley from above. They say it’s best to visit Cappadocia between April and October. But take into consideration that it’s still nature after all, and there is no guarantee for sun and blue skies. I visited this area in April and had storm, grey skies and even snow!

5. Marrakech, Morocco

Only half an hour drive from Marrakech hot-air balloons take off all year round. The views of the Atlas mountains on one side and the traditional villages on the other sides is very calming. I did this flight in the morning, after the sun was already up. Once we landed back safely again the organisation had prepared a breakfast with various traditional items, which was a nice touch! It’s the perfect way to end your trip in Morocco.

6. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most famous national parks and a place I hope to visit some day! I have already been lucky enough to see some wildlife in Senegal and near Johannesburg, South Africa. However, it’s still a dream for me to go for a real game-drive and hopefully spot the big five. Serengeti is full of wildlife and offers gorgeous landscapes. I can only imagine how amazing a hot-air balloon ride over the park must be. The best time to visit is between December and June, when the weather is dry and the wildlife is most active. The photo below shows the scenery of a hot-air balloon flight in Serengeti. This photo was taken by Antony Trivets.

Is a hot-air balloon ride worth it?

In case you are still doubting whether you should go for a hot-air balloon ride, I would say: just do it! I know the prices of some of the flights are very high and not everyone will be able to afford it. If you do get the opportunity and have the money, I think you should definitely do it. But for me it was definitely worth it both times and I would actually go again in a different location. An experience like this will be unforgettable!

Have you ever done a hot-air balloon ride? I’d love to hear about your experience!