7 epic hot air balloons rides from around the world

A balloon ride over Bagan, Myanmar | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Bagan, Myanmar
Sail peacefully over thousands of ancient temples and pagodas in Myanmar’s cultural capital. The soft pinks and oranges at sunrise are the perfect backdrop for this balloon ride over stunning 1,000-year-old temples. As you glide through the air, all you’ll hear are the morning prayers of monks and the occasional roar of the balloon burner. A Myanmar itinerary just wouldn’t be complete without a Bagan sunrise.

Watch out for giraffes on a ride over the Serengeti | Photo by GettingStamped.com

The Serengeti, Tanzania
Get on level with the tallest giraffes walking the great plains of the Serengeti aboard a hot air balloon in Tanzania. Early morning game viewing over one of Africa’s premier parks is a day you’ll surely never forget. Watch the grasslands below come to life below with wild elephants, buffalo and even a few lions, if you’re lucky.

Channel your inner fairy with a flight over Cappadocia, Turkey |Photo by GettingStamped.com

Cappadocia, Turkey
Float like a fairy above the whimsical rock formations in Cappadocia, taking it all in from inside the basket of a balloon. Every morning in this small city, around 100 hot air balloons take to the sky. They offer views of the sunrise over the unique landscape filled with what most call fairy chimney rock formations.

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Take to the skies in one of the hundreds of balloons during the annual Fiesta in Albuquerque | Photo by gardener41 – Flickr cc

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nobody else in the world does a hot air balloon festival quite like Albuquerque. Every year in October, hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Balloons of all colors and shapes flood the desert landscape. As great as these scenic vistas are, the sheer number of balloons at one time is truly fascinating.

Fly high over the stunning monument valley in Utah | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Monument Valley, Utah
Another of America’s top spots to catch a balloon ride is the otherworldly Monument Valley in Utah. As interesting as these rock formations are from the ground, they are even more impressive from the sky.

Go back in time with a flight over ancient Luxor | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Luxor, Egypt
In the ancient city of Luxor, you can take to the skies and pass over the columns and statues of the Luxor Temple. Situated right on the Nile River, there’s more to see than just the temple. You’ll take off the dry desert and see the sand quickly give way to lush greens on the river banks. Aboard a hot air balloon ride in Luxor, it’s easy to imagine what this place must have looked like during the ancient Egyptians’ time.

Cruise through the Swiss Alps by balloon | Photo by Eric Andresen – Flickr cc

The Swiss Alps, Switzerland
It doesn’t get too much more epic than gliding through the snow-capped Swiss Alps on a hot air balloon. Take in the stunning natural landscapes from a few thousand feet from the ground. Don’t mind the fact that there’s nothing between you and the ground but a few inches of woven wicker basket. An early morning flight is sure to yield some out of this world photos and memories to last a lifetime.