Enjoy a Mesmerizing Experience in Hot Air Balloons
What is it?
Hot air balloons are cool. If you want to enjoy the rush of adrenaline then there is nothing like a hot air balloon ride. A Balloon ride is one of the most soothing ways to observe our beautiful planet from an angle zero. Don’t be scared about temperature, It isn’t that cold. You can hardly feel the difference in temperature on the ground.
What is the ideal time?
Barring the chilly winter cold, operators usually schedule the flight just after sun rise or few hours before sunset. Balloon control calls for a steady temperature. Thermal conditions are not ideal for a ride. An overcast condition or any time during dusk is not a pleasant time for the ride. The best time could be an early summer morning. Some of the best experiences have been encountered in the early morning flights. Early morning starts is worth the money.
Perfect set up
Hot air balloon needs perfect weather conditions. If your chosen day is a rainy one, have poor visibility or high wind speeds then there is very less likelihood of the ride. In terms of ballooning winds at ground level above 10 mph or 16 kph can result in unpleasant and potentially dangerous landings. There are strict legal requirements on the minimum and mandatory visibility conditions and lowest allowable cloud level, which will affect the possibility of your flight going ahead.
What to Wear?
Warm and robust outdoor clothing with sturdy shoes is required. Natural fibres are preferred because of their better resistance to heat. You will need to be able to climb into and out off the basket and bear in mind that take off and landing May well be in a muddy field. Expect the air temperature to decrease with altitude. The temperature drop is approximately 3.5 degrees per 1000 feet.
How many mates can you find up there?
Typically operator takes 8-11 members for commercial rides. The flight duration could be anywhere between 1-2 hours. The distance covered in the ride is somewhere between 40-100 kilo metres, depending on the speed of the wind and possibilities of landing. The whole experience including preparation and the ride and final landing takes about 4-5 hours. It’s serene up there. Generally time is given to discuss personal experience.
Can you carry anything?
Yes you can. Do carry a camera as there would be many opportunities for interesting ballooning photos. It is recommended that you use UV filters on your camera to eliminate possibility of haziness. Click as many photos as you can. Right from getting up to the basket to all the breath taking scenes up there, you should click it all. Although many operators now have in built camera inside the basket which hang on the outside of the envelope and can take pictures of the passengers in the basket while flying, but self click photos have a different charm about it.
Make it count
If you are planning to propose your girl then take this opportunity do that. This has to be one of the most romantic ways to fly and speak your heart at the same time. It’s hard to resist the attraction as a hundred feet of wispy nylon majestically rises with the dragon burners. Be it a morning flight or an evening one, the experience will last a life time! Make it special with your loved one. Change your life along with it by proposing your beloved.
How is it up there?
It’s majestic. The balloon travels at heights of up to 3,000 feet. Typically the balloon will take you over villages, towns and countryside and even view wildlife. For photography enthusiast this is extremely a great opportunity to take some great pick and treasure it for the rest o your life. Some balloons are fitted with “rotation vents” which allow the pilot to occasionally rotate the balloon to provide the visitors with a truly Majestic view.
Locations and price
Typically all the Metros these days have one operator if not more who does balloon riding. The price depends on the number of people taken for the ride. It varies from operator to operator. But typically it starts from somewhere $180 and have various ranges.
