Hot air Balloon rides: A Unique way to see a new place!
There are plenty of ways to experience a new destination—walking tours, bus rides, boat cruises—but few offer the same breathtaking, almost dreamlike perspective as a hot air balloon ride. Whether you're floating over the vineyards of Napa with your partner sipping wine, watching the animals over the rolling plains of Africa, or the watching the sun rise behind the ancient temples of Bagan, a balloon ride is one of those rare activities that can transform any trip from memorable to truly unforgettable.
Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt
An Early Start Worth Waking Up For
Yes, it’s early. Painfully early. The kind of early where you question all of your life choices as your alarm blares before sunrise. But trust me—you won’t regret it.
As you groggily make your way to the launch site clutching your coffee, the world is still half asleep. The only sounds breaking the hush are the occasional crow of a rooster, the rumble of baker’s trucks making their morning deliveries, and maybe a few other balloon passengers quietly questioning their own commitment to adventure. BUT you’re about to see the landscape as it wakes up, bathed in the golden glow of dawn.
Rural Marrakesh, Morocco
A View Unlike Any Other
Once you lift off, the world below begins to shrink, turning familiar landmarks into miniature. The streets that were bustling with cars the day before now seem peaceful off in the distance, rooftops dot the landscape, and rivers cut through the land like veins of silver in the soft morning light. If you’re lucky you’ll have views of the Valley of Kings and the Nile River over Egypt or the fairy chimneys and cave dwellings over Cappadocia, Turkey.
What makes a hot air balloon ride special isn’t just the view—it’s the serenity. Between the occasional blasts of the burner, there’s an almost eerie quiet. No engine noise, no traffic, no honking horns. Just the gentle drift of the wind carrying you wherever it pleases-ish. It’s a rare moment of stillness, a chance to take in a place from a perspective most will never experience.
Hot air balloons over one of the thousands of temples/pagodas in Old Bagan, Myanmar.
A Must Experience… at least once
No matter where you’re traveling, a hot air balloon ride offers a one-of-a-kind vantage point. In the Masai Mara, it’s an early-morning safari from the sky. In the Loire Valley, it’s a front-row seat to the castles of French royalty. Every location offers a unique experience, but the magic remains the same.
So yes, it’s an early morning. Yes, it requires some effort. But the reward? A sunrise view that will stay with you long after your feet are back on the ground. Let me know if you’re interested in adding the experience to a custom itinerary!