Hot air ballooning is emerging as an exciting, adventurous activity in Sri Lanka. It offers a wonderful experience to enjoy the exhilaration of flight with a bird’s eye view of the countryside of the island. Especially, hot air ballooning helps to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the beautiful landscapes, natural wonders, and cultural landmarks. You will be gliding above the clouds while taking in the stunning views of Sri Lanka.
Hot air ballooning is available in the north-central plains of the island. Particularly, they are conducted over Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, because the wind conditions and weather are calm here. If you’re visiting the north central area of Sri Lanka, remember to add the hot air balloon ride to your bucket list. You can make your trip more memorable with this wonderful experience.
In this post, we are sharing the best places for your balloon ride and some key details about hot air ballooning in Sri Lanka. Following are the 4 major starting points where you can enjoy a marvelous hot air balloon ride.
1. Kandalama
Kandalama is known for the huge Kandalama Reservoir, built by Sri Lanka’s ancient kings. This area is quite popular for the stunning natural scenic beauty associated with this beautiful Kandalama Lake. Particularly, floating over the glistening water of the reservoir and lush green mountains offers wonderful scenery.
2. Sigiriya
Usually, the scenic area of Sigiriya is famous for offering hot air balloon rides. It is well known for its ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortresses. The balloon ride over Sigiriya gives the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking aerial view of the historical Sigiriya Rock Fortress. You’ll see the 200 m tall Sigiriya rock and the ruins of the ancient palace at its peak.
3. Dambulla
The cultural city of Dambulla is a popular place for balloon rides. Dambulla is a historical city which gives home to the Dambulla Golden Temple, the largest rock cave temple in Sri Lanka. You’ll see the amazing view giant Golden Buddha statue near the ancient cave temples of Dambulla.
4. Habarana
The hot air balloon ride in Habarana gives the best chance to observe the beauty of nature in the countryside, which may include expansive rice fields, dense forests, and amazing wildlife in the area. You may also catch the sight of elephants about to start their day, cattle in paddy fields, and other wildlife moving through the jungles below.
Best time for hot air ballooning
The best time for hot air ballooning in Sri Lanka is typically during the dry season, which is from November to April. During this period, it is more likely to have clear skies and good weather conditions for the flight. Particularly, the best months for flying are March and April with great weather.
Usually, the ride starts around 6.00 a.m. in the morning. At this time, the winds are most tranquil and perfect for the balloon ride. As well, landscape views are best in the morning where you can observe nature’s finest scenery during the sunrise.
The balloon ride lasts for about 1 hour or more, allowing you to savor the panoramic views and capture stunning photographs. The total experience usually includes a pre-flight briefing, inflation of the balloon, and a post-flight celebration. Although the actual ride is about an hour or so, the entire affair takes about 4 hours.
How the balloon works
Hot air balloons work because the air inside the balloon is heated until it becomes lighter than the cooler air around it. It causes the balloon to rise and carry the attached passenger basket with it. You will get the chance to drift up to 2,000 feet above the ground. According to the wind speed and direction, the flying distance can be from one to ten miles.
The balloon moves with the wind and you will feel almost motionless. You feel absolutely no movement after take-off from the ground. The balloon follows the direction of the wind, and wind currents vary with altitude. There is a quiet atmosphere around you where you can enjoy the surroundings of peace and serenity.
Safety during the balloon ride
Safety is a top priority for hot air balloon operators. Rides are conducted by well-trained international pilots who have the necessary qualifications and plenty of experience. They follow strict safety protocols and explain safety measures to passengers in the best possible way.
You will be flying in UK-made hot air balloons where the experienced ground crew (following the flight path in a jeep) are in constant communication with the pilot of the balloon. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly. All you need to do is relax, enjoy the peace, and admire the views of Sri Lanka.
Hot air balloon operators in Sri Lanka
There are a few reputable balloon operators that offer guided rides in Sri Lanka. They provide a memorable experience for tourists. Remember to book your ride with a licensed and established operator. Although there is a high demand for hot air balloon rides in Sri Lanka, the availability is limited. Thus, it’s a good idea to book your hot air balloon ride in advance, especially during the peak tourist season. Try to make your reservations well in advance in order to avoid disappointment.
Lanka Ballooning Ltd
Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd is a fully licensed and approved hot air balloon rides operator in Sri Lanka. They have more than 15 years of experience in flying balloons over Sri Lanka. The founder is Uluer Group from Turkey. The Turkish pilots in the company are well trained and experienced ensuring the capability of flying passenger air balloons.
Sun Rise Ballooning Ltd
Sun Rise Ballooning is another premier hot air balloon operator with experience of 20 years. The company started in 2003 when commercial ballooning started in Sri Lanka. The Chief Pilot Justin Moore is a UK-certified commercial pilot and all the pilots are handpicked for the absolute safety of the passengers.
Important tips for you
Generally, there are no special physical requirements to enjoy a hot air balloon ride. However, it’s essential to be in good health and have the ability to stand for the duration of the flight.
Children may have certain age restrictions depending on the operator’s policies. Usually, pregnant women are advised to avoid the balloon rides to ensure their safety.
You need to dress comfortably for the trip. It can get warmer as the day goes on, so casual wear is best for the journey. A hat or a cap and sunscreen to protect your face from the sun would be ideal.
The balloon carries between 2 – 16 people on a trip and it might be a bit crowded in there. It is best to wear closed-toe shoes to avoid any accidentally stepped-on toes.
If the weather looks unsafe, your safety comes first and the pilot will cancel the trip. There are no worries, you’ll be completely refunded.
To sum up, hot air ballooning is the best way to get a bird’s-eye view of Sri Lanka that is rarely seen from the sky. Floating over the dramatic landscapes, world heritage sites, and cultural sites, the breathtaking scenery will amaze you. Definitely, it will show you the ultimate beauty of Sri Lanka with vast areas of lush green jungle, spectacular mountain ranges, and peaceful green fields. Moreover, you can celebrate any special occasion in the air including your birthday, exchanging vows, or proposing to fiancée! Welcome everybody, enjoy an exciting hot air balloon ride in Sri Lanka.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Pixabay, Facebook, and Twitter. All the copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
