Ever had a dream of being in Aladdin’s shoes and taking a magic carpet ride on the auburn dunes of Arabia? Well, you can make that dream a reality – and instead of a magic carpet, you can soar on a hot air balloon ride. The thrill you experience is the same! The hot air balloon experience in Dubai’s deserts is a great way to enjoy the breathtaking landscape from a bird’s eye view. It’s a surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable way to see the landscape. Not just in Dubai, hot air ballooning is an exhilarating adventure you can experience around the world. Intrigued? Here’s a hot air ballooning ride first-timer’s guide about this fascinating thrill.
Before Booking Your First Hot Air Ballooning Ride:
If you have made up your mind to try a hot air balloon experience on your holiday, the first thing to do is choose the best destination. Hot air balloon rides are popular worldwide, but some locations are renowned for their stunning scenery and well-executed operations. You can plan a trip to the following places and include a hot air ballooning experience in your holiday trip for a flight adventure.
Dubai, UAE
A hot air balloon flight over the golden Arabian dunes at sunrise offers breathtaking views and a lasting impression of the serene Arabian desert. Hot air ballooning is one of the most idyllic ways to explore the desert in a short time and is quite a popular activity for Dubai tourists. Before you head for the holiday, make sure to widen your knowledge by getting to know all about the hot air balloon Dubai experience.
Cappadocia, Turkey
The sky filled with colorful hot air balloons is often how you will come across an travel advertising picture of Cappadocia. Cappadocia is known for its extraordinary landscape. The views are best captured while floating over the stunning fairy chimneys, unique rock formations, and ancient cave dwellings. This destination is one of the most popular places for hot air balloon rides in the world.
Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand, known for its adventure quotient, includes hot air ballooning rides as well in its long list of thrilling activities. Head to North Island to soar above the beautiful landscapes of Auckland, including the Waitemata Harbor, lush vineyards, and the iconic Sky Tower on a tranquil hot air balloon thrill.
Albuquerque, New Mexico – USA
In the USA, Albuquerque is the perfect destination to enjoy this experience. Visit Albuquerque in October, and you will have the chance to see the world’s largest hot air balloon festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley is perhaps the most picturesque and uncrowded spot to take a hot air ballooning experience in Europe. Its stellar landscapes stretched with verdant vineyards and peppered with medieval castles and chateaux, are absolutely incredible to view from this unique vantage point.
You also have the choice of which type of hot air ballooning experience you would like to enjoy. Usually, first-time riders opt for shared hot air ballooning rides, but if you prefer an intimate setting, you can opt for private rides. Want to enhance the adventure quotient? try glass-bottomed rides, though they are only offered in certain destinations. Once you have chosen your destination, the next step would be to plan the trip during the best weather conditions. Hot air ballooning rides are affected by weather and wind conditions. Hence, if you do not want to get disappointed, ensure you plan your adventure on days when the sky is clear and the weather is pleasant.
Finally, choose a reputable tour operator that specializes in hot air balloon rides. You should thoroughly check out their customer satisfaction reviews and quality of service. Inquire about the operator’s years of experience, the training of their crew and pilot, and their safety certifications and protocols. Hot air balloons are operated by pilots with several hours of flying experience, so you are in good hands.
When booking your experience, we recommend enjoying the hot air balloon ride during the early days of your visit. This way, you can reschedule the experience for another day if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Be sure to check the cancellation and rescheduling policies as well, ensuring you have flexibility for your hot air balloon adventure. The ideal times for this gentle flight are early mornings and evenings. So, if you are a morning person and wish to witness a mesmerizing sunrise, a morning hot air balloon experience is your best choice. Similarly, you may opt for a sunset ride.
What to Expect Before Take-Off
On the day of your experience, arrive early at the launch site and meet your pilot and crew. You can watch the crew unfurl the giant fabric on the ground. They will then slowly inflate it into a giant balloon with hot air. During this time, they will also check the weather and wind conditions. Reputable hot air balloon companies prioritize safety and the pilot conducts thorough pre-flight checks and provides safety briefings. Once the pre-flight instructions are complete, and the hot air balloon has reached optimal buoyancy, you’re ready to hop into the giant basket for take-off.
In The Air: The Gliding Experience
Hot air ballooning is generally a smooth ride. The ascent is gradual, and it’s pretty stable once you’re up there. So how does it feel once you are in the air? Many tourists who have experienced hot air balloon rides say there is something magical about flying in a hot air balloon. It gives them a sense of weightlessness. You gradually gain altitude between 500 to 2000 feet above ground level. The pilot skilled in manoeuvring the giant balloon will let it drop a few feet so that you can enjoy scenery at better visibility. Usually, a hot air ballooning ride lasts for an hour once it is up in the air.
Touch Down: What to Expect
After your peaceful drift across the stunning landscape, it is time for your landing. Despite the common belief that landings are bumpy, they are usually quite gentle. Some tourists worry about the basket toppling over, landing in water, or getting caught in trees instead of reaching the designated landing spot. But since there is an experienced professional pilot steering and controlling the ride at all times, you do not have to be worried about all these scenarios. Although the landing spot is not always a designated spot, your pilot will ensure that the landing is calmly and smoothly executed in a wide spacious landscape. With proper protocols and pre-landing safety briefings, you can enjoy a smooth and safe landing back to the ground. Don’t forget to keep your cameras ready to capture the descent.
Essential Tips For First-Timers
When deciding what to wear, keep in mind that even if it feels chilly on the ground, you will be warmer inside the gondola due to the burners. The heat from the burners will make it feel quite warm inside. Once you hop inside the gondola basket, you will feel as if you are sitting in front of a bonfire and you might even break a sweat. So, it is best to opt for lightweight attire. If you aren’t sure if you will feel chilly or hot during the ride, dress in layers and carry a lightweight jacket. Dress comfortably. Avoid flowing fabric as it can cause a lot of discomfort when the wind picks up. Wear a hat to safeguard yourself from the heat of the burner. Wear closed, comfortable shoes. Remember to put on sunscreen and sunglasses for sun protection later.
Don’t carry bulky backpacks and unnecessary items on your hot air balloon ride. If you haven’t booked a private tour, you will be sharing your space during the flight with other passengers. Hence, it is better to travel light for the tour. Use straps to secure your belongings, especially phones and cameras, to prevent them from falling during the flight. Carry some snacks and a bottle of water as well.
Pay attention to hot air balloon etiquette. Always listen to the pilot’s instructions. Always keep your hands inside the basket and do not climb over it. Respect the space of others if you are in a shared experience.
FAQs
Is hot air balloon ride suited for everyone?This ride is suitable for everyone. This ride may not be ideal for small children, as the basket height could prevent them from enjoying the views.
Is it safe for tourists who suffer from motion sickness and fear of heights?Since the ride is smooth and there are no sudden jerking or rapid movements, many people who suffer from motion sickness find hot air ballooning manageable. The ascent is gradual, making it less scary than some might imagine. Once airborne, the balloon glides smoothly without any jerky movements. While you will be up in the air, the basket is quite large and stable, which can help ease the fear of heights.
Do tourists have to stand for the entire duration of the ride?Yes, the gondola basket is spacious but does not have any seating arrangements. So, the ride has to be done while standing. If you prefer a seated ride, a few tour operators provide a seated experience as well.
Conclusion
What was discovered as the first successful way for humans to fly has now become a much-cherished leisure adventure for globetrotters. If you have always wanted to get a comprehensive bird’s eye view but are nervous about heights, give hot air ballooning a try. These incredible flights offer one-of-a-kind and stunning vistas, rising and descending seemingly effortlessly, so you don’t have to worry about turbulent journeys. It is one of the safest ways to see a destination from a unique vantage point. So, if your interest is piqued regarding this adventure after going through this hot air balloon ride guide, For Dubai hot air balloon rides contact us about the available packages and we will set you up for the wonderful flight of your life.
