Isn’t it every person’s fantasy to fly high into the skies? Imagine the thrills of flying on a colorful balloon & enjoy bird’s eye view of the landscapes below! Ever since we are kids, balloons add cheers to our lives. Now you can witness the flight of scores of such colorful & larger than life balloons in which you can take a ride. Isn’t the mere idea of this exhilarating! If you love to fly high, you must try Hot air balloons.

Hot air ballooning is a sport which is enjoyed & loved by all regardless of their age. Be it a romantic ride with your life partner or a cramped high-fly with your buddies, this adventure activity is not to be missed!

Unknown to many, hot air balloons flights have been documented in the world history as early as the 1700s. A few years back, Hot air ballooning was only possible abroad. But now this exciting adventure sport of Hot air ballooning can be experienced at multiple locations in India as well!

The balloons once fired up float upwards towards the blue skies without any turbulence. Passengers ride up in a wicker basket attached at the bottom of the balloon which gives you an unhindered 360-degree view. The sights from almost 2000-5000 feet above are breathtakingly beautiful! And you experience a calmness that is rare to find!

At such a great height, all you can hear is a blissful quiet (except the intermittent sound of firing up the balloon) & all you can see is the vast skies & miniature models of the places below. That may be the reason why this is such a romantic experience to be enjoyed with your soul-mates, sharing a bottle of champagne & cake! Add the cherry on top by taking this ride over the monument of love- The Taj Mahal!

Alternatively, one may experience dreamily gliding above picturesque lakes around Delhi or lush green countryside in Maharashtra or Ancient Hampi ruins of Karnataka or over the historic sites of old forts in Rajasthan!

Hot air ballooning is indeed a great way of exploring places on earth from the skies above. The balloon glides on wind currents & the element of surprise is that we never quite know where we might alight! The ride actually is very gentle & safe for all. For those with a fear of heights, this is the perfect adventure sport because of the gentleness of the ascent & the splendid surrounding views. Best time to take the ride is around sunrise or sunset as the wind currents are perfect during that time.

Try to catch a hot air balloon festival & you would get to glimpse balloons of various shapes, sizes & colors! It is a sight to watch indeed.

After all, life is like a Hot air balloon, a journey towards the skies powered by the winds of fate, & you never know where you will land! So Up Up in the Air- go Hot air ballooning!

Where to go Hot air ballooning in India:

India is fast catching up on the ballooning scenario & you can enjoy the experience of floating over the pink city of Jaipur; the numerous Lakes & Palaces of Udaipur; or catch the balloon festivals at Pushkar; enjoy the wilderness of Ranthambore; get bird’s eye views of the heritage Fort resorts of Neemrana or enjoy the lush green landscapes of Lonavla. Romantics can try it out in Goa or over the Taj Mahal. Those with an inclination for history should definitely try hot air ballooning over the ancient temple ruins of Hampi & the grand splendors of forts in Rajasthan. City dwellers can try it at Delhi & NCR.