Top places to take a hot-air balloon ride in the World

Lease Alice

Floating above the ground, surrounded by endless blue sky, and looking at magnificent landscapes from above is truly magical, isn’t it? And the magic goes double if you choose the right place where to do it. Hot-air ballooning is suitable and safe for all ages. The experience you will get is irreplaceable. This article is about some wonderful places you should consider if you want your ride to be exceptional. And we have left something special for you at the end of the article, so keep reading.

Top 10 places for a hot-air balloon ride

Let’s explore some beautiful places where you will have an unforgettable experience.

  1. Cappadocia, Turkey. Yes, yes, it has been mentioned hundreds of times before, but Cappadocia is one of the most popular and coolest destinations for the hot-air balloon ride in the world. It has been all around Pinterest and Instagram, and it is quite possible you have seen its pictures. The location’s unique landscape, weird rock formations and fairy chimneys, are an unforgettable experiences. When the sun rises or sets, the colors of the landscape change, creating an even more breathtaking experience.
  2. Albuquerque, New Mexico. The next remarkable place is Albuquerque. You can take in the stunning views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains as you drift peacefully through the sky. Every October there is a festival, and you can see hundreds of colorful balloons in the sky, and this year it will be the 51st time.
  3. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. One of the most popular places in Africa for this kind of adventure is the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Here you have an opportunity to see the animals up close.
  4. Bagan, Myanmar. Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. As if a lost city of ghosts, the ancient temples of Bagan rise out of the mist. The views from up above are absolutely breathtaking, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy them as you float peacefully through the air.
  5. Masai Mara, Kenya. While Serengeti National Park is the most popular but if you want to really experience hot-air ballooning in Africa, there is no better place than the Masai Mara — home to an abundance of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and giraffes.
  6. Reims, France. Reims is located in the heart of Champagne country and is well-known for its picturesque landscapes. You will drift over vineyards and rolling hills during your ride, soaking up the French countryside.
  7. Teotihuacan, Mexico. Hot-air ballooning over the Teotihuacan archaeological complex is special. When your flight reaches up to 2,500 feet (0.76 km) high, you will be mesmerized by the view of ancient wonder.
  8. Napa Valley, United States. There is nothing like floating above the stunning scenery of Napa Valley in a hot air balloon. You will be amazed by the views, and it’s an unforgettable way to see this incredible region. You can enjoy this magical experience if you visit during the annual wine harvest or in Winter to see the frost-covered vines because the rides are available all year long!
  9. Luxor, Egypt. To take a hot-air balloon flight in Luxor is great because it is one of the best places in the world. This ancient city comes alive as you float high above it. While drifting across the skies below, you will find the magnificent Luxor Temple, tombs and Colossi of Memnon – two enormous statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III originally designed to guard his mortuary temple, located on the western bank of the Nile.
  10. Wadi Rum, Jordan. Wadi Rum was an important trading route for the Nabataeans, located 65 miles (ca. 105 km) from Petra in the heart of the Jordanian desert. A ride in Wadi Rum offers panoramic views of the area’s natural wonders and incredible sandstone landscapes.

The mentioned above places are one of the best, but there are still a lot of them out there and if you decide to take a hot-air balloon ride, you should definitely check all the places you can.

And now to the surprise part. Another great opportunity how to get a hot-air balloon experience is to visit a festival. This is an exciting possibility where you can enjoy yourself both as a participant and a spectator. And you can win a ticket to such a venue by playing online slots in a casino.

5 top hot air balloon festivals in the world

  1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Oct. 1-9. The festival was introduced in 1972 and now is the largest balloon festival in the world.
  2. New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning in Readington, New Jersey: July 29-31. The New Jersey festival is the largest summer hot-air balloon festival in North America.
  3. Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung, Taiwan: July 2-Aug. 15. In its first 10 years, the Taiwan International Balloon Festival has brought global attention to the country, with more than 7.5 million visitors.
  4. Saga International Balloon Fiesta in Saga, Japan: Nov. 2-6. The Saga International Balloon Festival is the biggest hot-air ballooning event in Asia. It attracts 800,000 spectators and many international balloonists.
  5. European Balloon Festival in Igualada, Spain: July 7-10. The largest balloon festival in Spain includes balloon competitions, live music, kids’ activities, a night glow event and fireworks.