A hot air balloon ride is the gentlest air adventure there is: no running, no free fall, just a slow drift a few hundred metres above the ground with the burner roaring above your head every so often. In India, commercial flights run mainly in the cooler, drier months, from about October to March, and almost always at sunrise, when the air is calm.
Rajasthan is the main ballooning region, with flights over the countryside and forts around Jaipur and over Pushkar, especially during the camel fair. Flights have also been offered over the ruins of Hampi and the hills near Lonavala, and balloon festivals have been held in places such as Araku Valley. Operators and locations change from season to season, so confirm what is running before you plan a trip around it.
Quick answer
Hot air balloon rides in India run mainly around Jaipur and Pushkar in Rajasthan, with seasonal flights at places such as Hampi and Lonavala and occasional balloon festivals. The season is roughly October to March, and flights take off around sunrise, lasting about an hour in the air. Book with an operator holding the required aviation permissions, and expect cancellations in wind or poor visibility.
Key takeaways
- Rajasthan is the centre of ballooning in India, with flights near Jaipur and Pushkar.
- The flying season is roughly October to March, with sunrise take-offs.
- A flight lasts roughly an hour in the air, but the whole outing takes three to four hours.
- Where you land depends on the wind; the chase crew collects you from the landing field.
- Flights are cancelled in strong wind, rain or haze, so allow a spare morning.
Where to take a hot air balloon ride
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Balloon operators near Jaipur take off from fields outside the city and drift over villages, farmland and the Aravalli hills, sometimes with views of Amber and other forts depending on the wind.
- Season
- About October to March
- Good for
- Couples, families, first flights
Pushkar, Rajasthan
Flights over Pushkar give views of the holy lake, the ghats and the desert around the town. The most popular time is the Pushkar camel fair in October or November, when the fairground below is full of camels and tents; book well ahead for those dates.
- Season
- Winter, especially fair time
- Good for
- Photographers
Hampi, Karnataka
Balloon flights have been offered over Hampi's boulder landscape, temple ruins and the Tungabhadra river in some seasons. Check whether an operator is flying the year you visit.
- Season
- Roughly October to February, when running
- Good for
- Heritage lovers
Lonavala, Maharashtra
Operators have run sunrise flights over the Sahyadri hills near Lonavala in the dry season, a short drive from Mumbai and Pune.
- Season
- Winter, when running
Balloon festivals
Festivals with visiting balloon teams have been held in places including Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh and around Pushkar and Jaipur. Some offer public rides or tethered flights; dates and formats change each year.
- Good for
- Families
What happens on a balloon flight
- Pick-up is before dawn, often around 5.30 to 6 am in winter.
- At the launch field you watch the crew inflate the balloon with fans and then the burner.
- You climb into the basket, which holds a small group plus the pilot, and receive a short landing briefing.
- The flight lasts roughly an hour, drifting with the wind at a few hundred metres, with the pilot changing height to find different wind directions.
- The balloon lands in an open field wherever the wind allows; a chase vehicle follows and drives you back.
When to fly
The season in most of India is roughly October to March, when mornings are cool and stable. Summer heat and the monsoon make flying difficult or impossible. Within the season, winter mornings in December and January can be hazy or foggy in north India, which can delay or cancel flights.
Fitting a balloon flight into a Rajasthan trip
Because flights leave at dawn, stay the night before close to the pick-up point. In Jaipur that usually means a hotel in the city or on the Amber road; in Pushkar, a camp or guesthouse in town. Keep the rest of the morning light, as you will be back around 9 or 10 am.
A balloon flight fits naturally into a Golden Triangle or Rajasthan circuit: fly in Jaipur, then continue to Pushkar and Ajmer, or build the trip around the Pushkar fair and fly there instead. If the flight is cancelled for weather, a second morning in the same place gives you another chance.
Golden Triangle and Rajasthan
Most balloon flights are taken as one morning of a longer trip through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur or across Rajasthan.
Free flights vs tethered rides
A free flight drifts with the wind and lands somewhere else; a tethered ride goes straight up and down on ropes, usually for a few minutes. Tethered rides are common at festivals and events and cost much less, but they are a different experience. Check which one you are booking.
Choosing an operator
- Ask whether the operator holds the aviation permissions required in India and whether the pilot is licensed.
- Check the maximum passengers per basket and whether children are allowed.
- Ask what happens if the flight is cancelled for weather: refund, credit or rebooking.
- Confirm pick-up time and location, and what is included (transfers, refreshments, certificate).
Safety
- Fly only with licensed pilots and operators with proper permissions.
- Listen carefully to the landing briefing; landings can be bumpy.
- Wear closed shoes and layers; it is cold at dawn but warm near the burner.
- Do not fly if you have a condition that makes crouching or a bumpy landing unsafe.
- Accept weather cancellations; wind is the main risk in ballooning.
Plan the trip
FAQs
Where can I do a hot air balloon ride in India?
Mainly around Jaipur and Pushkar in Rajasthan, with seasonal flights at places such as Hampi and Lonavala and at balloon festivals.
What is the best time for a hot air balloon ride in India?
About October to March, at sunrise.
How long does a hot air balloon ride last?
About an hour in the air, with three to four hours for the whole trip including transfers and inflation.
Are hot air balloon rides safe?
With a licensed pilot and a well-maintained balloon, and when flights are cancelled in poor weather, the risk is low. Follow the landing instructions.
Can children go on a hot air balloon ride?
Operators set their own age and height limits, as children must be able to see over the basket and brace for landing. Ask when booking.
