At El Camino, we love adventure and we’re always seeking new ways to explore the globe. Often described as an adventure of a lifetime, hot air ballooning is right up there when it comes to bucket list experiences.
For the ultimate natural high, nothing beats the gradual ascent in a basket suspended below a gigantic, hot-air-filled balloon. The romance of soaring ‘up, up and away’ to drift in peaceful wonder looking over the world below is undeniable. (It’s no surprise that hot air balloon marriage proposals are a thing.) The birds-eye view it affords really does give an incomparable way to take in the sights, whether that’s an incredible sunrise, plains and rivers, or wildlife.
From The Wizard of Oz to Enduring Love and Around the World in 80 Days, hot air balloons hold a dramatic allure on film. More recently, if, like us, you've been hooked on the latest season of Bridgerton, the scene where Colin rolls up his sleeves to grab the ropes and save Penelope from being crushed is still very fresh in our memory!
Collectively, the EC team have been lucky enough to have ticked off a few hot air balloon rides: From flying over Dartmoor National Park in Devon to floating above Kenya’s Masai Mara at sunrise.
But where did it all start and where are the best hot air balloon rides in the world?
Who invented the hot air balloon?
It sounds like a fable or riddle, but the first ever hot air balloon carried a duck, a sheep, and a cockerel. Created by French brothers Jacques Étienne and Joseph Michel Montgolfier, the first flight was launched in Paris in 1783, with the aforementioned wildlife on board. Later the same year, Pilâtre de Rozier was joined by François Laurent d’Arlandes for a flight in the first manned hot air balloon ride. The following year saw the first Briton to fly a hot air balloon, a Mr James Tytler who flew over Edinburgh. It was another decade before the first balloon flight in America in 1793 manned by Jean-Pierre Blanchard.
Fast-forward to today and hot air balloons retain an air of romance and adventure. Companies including Virgin Balloon Flights promise unforgettable ballooning experiences everywhere from Scotland to Wales and Cornwall.
Best hot air balloon rides in the world
Where would you choose to fly? Two destinations that regularly feature on lists of the world's best hot air balloon rides for their remarkable scenery are Cappadocia in Turkey and Marrakech in Morocco. Other top hot air balloon destinations include Luxor in Egypt, the Serengeti in Tanzania and Monument Valley in the USA. Meanwhile, Albuquerque in New Mexico lays claim to being the hot air balloon capital of the world thanks to its optimal weather conditions and the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world’s largest hot air ballooning event.
Top five hot air balloon destinations
The Serengeti, Tanzania – this has to top our list of hot air balloon ride destinations for its wildlife spotting potential. From antelopes to lions, elephants and hippos, a hot air balloon offers an incredible vantage point for wildlife viewing. The trip usually includes touching down for a bush breakfast, the full works with Champagne served in the middle of the savanna.
Cappadocia, Turkey – with its jagged, lunar landscape it’s little wonder that UNESCO-listed Cappadocia is one of the top destinations for a hot air balloon ride. Shaped by volcanic eruption and erosion, the rock formation is juxtaposed with scenic river valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Marrakech, Morocco – soar over a desert oasis with views towards the foothills of the Atlas Mountains on an exotic hot air balloon ride from Marrakech. The experience can also include landing for a traditional Berber breakfast in a tent in the desert.
Luxor, Egypt – with a third of the world's ancient monuments and set on the banks of the River Nile, Luxor makes a magical destination for a hot air balloon ride. The trip takes you over iconic landmarks such as the Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple as well as providing a unique way to appreciate the meandering Nile.
Monument Valley, USA – known for its otherworldly sandstone buttes, Monument Valley is iconic American West, having starred in many John Ford movies as well as Forrest Gump and Easy Rider. You might get lucky and spot an eagle or hawk. Just northeast of Monument Valley, check out the annual Bluff Balloon Festival.
Where to experience hot air balloons (without even leaving the ground)
If you don’t have a head for heights, there are still options for enjoying the spectacle of hot air balloons. Witness a mass ascent at a hot air balloon festival to appreciate the beauty of this form of aviation. Top events include the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in August, Europe's biggest hot air balloon festival, or Sky Safari at Longleat in September for sunrise take-offs and night glow displays.
Check out the hot air balloon Adventure Step here.