The Best Hot Air Balloon Rides

Going around the world is the dream of any traveler. And when it comes to expert travelers, there is none like Willy Fog. Hot-air balloons are the oldest mode of air transport (we’ve been riding them since 1783). Unforgettable views such as those over the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), the Loire Valley (France), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), or the Napa Valley (California) await us. Or unbeatable experiences such as the ones we suggest below: the moonscapes of Cappadocia (Turkey), the sharp contrasts of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and the white slopes of the Three Valleys (France).

The Alps from a Hot Air Balloon

If looking for unique experiences, don’t miss out on the French Alps, but that from the heights. It is one of the most popular activities in Courchevel. Seen from above, the ski slopes are even more impressive. The mountains will be at your feet and you’ll have access to remote areas where you will surely spot some of the resident wildlife. Deer, wolves, mountain goats… you name it. You can access the hot-air balloons from Courchevel, the chicest resort in The Three Valleys, and specifically from the altiport by the slopes, at a height of 1850 meters. Due to the rugged topography of the terrain, the hot-air balloons are small with a maximum capacity of 4 people. In any case, if you finally decide to visit, make sure the weather is on your side, as all flights are suspended for safety reasons when weather conditions are unfavorable. The price is 280 euros per head, and 1.400 euros if you want to go up by yourselves.

Hot Air Ballooning over Cappadocia

This is one of those destinations the magnitude of which cannot be fully comprehended until visited from a hot air balloon. The National Park of Göreme combines volcanic landscapes with countless pinnacles sculpted by erosion, cave shrines, troglodyte villages, and hidden subterranean cities. Its myriad rock formations make it one of the world’s most striking cave-dwelling complexes. Such is its beauty that this natural park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985, is internationally known as the Open Air Museum of Göreme. How much can we expect to pay for this experience? It doesn’t come particularly cheap. You can expect to pay an average of 150 euros per person with any of the operators, even with Anatolian Balloons (proud owners of the largest hot air balloon in the world). But what is the emotional price of riding a hot air balloon over Cappadocia? When you are back on land you’ll realize that it was truly worth it, even the early start. And our advice: take off at dawn for the best views.

Rio de Janeiro at Your Feet

If this Brazilian city wasn’t mind-blowing enough in itself with both feet on the ground, you’ll find it colossal when seen from above. You’ll be able to fly over Sugarloaf Mountain, the Christ statue at Corcovado, the vast expanses of favelas, the endless beaches… Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts, and we can assure you those differences are even sharper from the heights. Copacabana’s impressive skyscrapers blend into the stretches of favelas. Luxury and poverty come together in Rio like in few other places. It is an interesting phenomenon, which never fails to make an impression when viewed from above. If this sounds like something for you, we advise you to make enquiries into operators and their availability at any Rio tourist office. Helicopters take off on a daily basis but hot air balloon rides are not always available; the latter being dependent on the time of the year and the influx of visitors.