Come and have a once-in-a-life-time experience of seeing the world from the sky! Go up into the sky in a hot air balloon and make memories that will last a lifetime. Float like a cloud over Sri Lanka with the wind in your hair and a feeling of complete tranquility as the chirping of birds recede and silence engulf you.
While up there you will have an aerial view of the landscape below. You can see the paddy fields being plowed by a pair of bulls, wild elephants freely roaming the forests and the monkeys swinging from tree to tree with their babies clinging to their chests. If you are lucky you may even see a peacock taking off in flight with its beautiful bright emerald green and blue plumes trailing behind him like a shiny silk scarf.
Enjoy the complete silence, the peace and the sunrise from your basket high above the earth and its troubles with only the occasional burst of the gas lighter firing up to break the silence. The tranquility, the sense of peace and timelessness is unbelievable.
You are one with nature. You will float upto around 2000 feet above the land and you cant help but smile as the earth slowly rotates below you and you see more and more of the landscape of Sri Lanka –the treetops far below, the houses, animals and people are now just specks in the distance.
You can make out landmarks such as the Sigiriya rock, which you will see, silhouetted against the rising run, the rivers and the cultural sites. It is thrilling. And it’s a fantastic photo opportunity too!!
The best time is between November and April. In the event that the weather is even slightly not conducive they will not proceed with the ride. It will be cancelled or postponed and they will refund the money.
If you want to do something novel, here is your chance! You can propose to your girlfriend, exchange vows or get married in the middle of the sky among the floating clouds in your very own hot air balloon for two. Or celebrate your birthday in style with your close friends. What can be more fun and unusual than this?
Where to go
There are two main areas for Hot Air Ballooning in Sri Lanka, they are:
1. The North Central Plains – the Cultural triangle area. The Hot air balloon takes off from Kandalama but can be accessed from Dambulla, and Sigiriya area.
2. The Southern Part of Sri Lanka – Takes off from Elpitiya but accessible from Galle. It gives and aerial view of the Galle Fort and the sea and beach.
There are several types of balloons such as the 2, passenger balloons, 8 passenger balloons and the 16 passenger balloons to choose from to accommodate your requirements.
Many tour groups organize these rides for you. The entire tour will take approximately 31/2 hours. The balloon ride itself will be approx. one hour and it will take you anywhere between one to 10 miles (1-16 km)
They will pick you up from your hotel (provided its close by), very early in the morning (soon after dawn breaks) and transport you to the takeoff point.
There you can watch the balloon being inflated by the crew and even participate in it if you like, if not you could enjoy the freshness of the day and the scenic beauty of the environment around you. The Pilot will then give you a briefing and safety precautions after which you could get into your basket of your balloon for your flight.
Down below little village children will give chase to the balloon waving and shouting while running or cycling after it. The ground crew will also follow the balloon in its 4×4 to ensure that there is always constant contact with the base.
After your exhilarating adventure in the sky, you will watch the Pilot and land crew expertly maneuver the balloon down to land with their fine techniques and expertise. You will see the treetops appear and can touch or pick leaves as you drift by. And down below you will have a warm and friendly welcome by the villagers when the balloon lands. They are happy to meet and greet you back. They will happily help to pack the balloon back. And the youngsters who have managed to follow the balloon to the end is given packs of stationery each day which is bought out of a small part of your flight fee.
Some tours have a champagne celebration after you get back to toast your great adventure.
As it is in any part of the world, the Hot air balloon ticket price is a bit high but more so in Sri Lanka as the fuel costs are very high as it is a 3 rd world country and heavily taxed. But don’t worry, it is fully worth the rideSome tours have a champagne celebration after you get back to toast your great adventure.
As it is in any part of the world, the Hot air balloon ticket price is a bit high but more so in Sri Lanka as the fuel costs are very high as it is a 3 rd world country and heavily taxed. But don’t worry, it is fully worth the ride!!
Sri Lanka Balloon Festival
An annual Balloon Festival is held each year and attracts many participants for Europe and Asia. The participants are also taken on a weeklong tour of the Sri Lanka. It is an interesting and very colourful event.
Hot air ballooning in Sri Lanka is very popular. People from all over the world have gone ballooning here. Even Movie Stars, Princesses, Knights and Ladies and many Ambassadors have gone ballooning in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is in the “Top 5” ballooning destinations of the world for its “unique ballooning beauty”.
Tips:-
1. Bring your passport or National Identity card for Sri Lankans.
2. Bring your own water – there are no toilets until you get back.
3. Dress Casually and wear layers as it may get hot later on.
4. Wear closed flat shoes where possible.
5. Take a hat or cap.
6. Take some sweets to throw to the children below or give the kids who will welcome you after the ride.
7. Don’t take a bag – space is limited.
8. Take only your camera, phone, sunglasses, small purse and tip for crew and any other essentials.
9. Children below 7 years and pregnant women are not allowed.
10. If you are afraid of heights its best if you do not go.
All hot air balloons have been purchased from UK and the pilots are handpicked and are well qualified and experienced. The crew is fluent in English. The operators are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.