Your Guide to Hot Air Balloon Rides in Goa

Mountains or beaches? We think you should choose beaches because when you feel the serenity in the pleasant air and listen to the calming sound of the ocean, you feel alive it’s like living your life to the fullest. Goa works as a nice escape for all those who struggle every day in their 9 to 7 jobs. This wonderful capital of beaches is also home to India’s largest waterfall, called Dudhsagar Waterfalls. This majestic waterfall is found in the Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary near the Panaji city of Goa.

A lot of tourists choose Goa to experience peace and tranquillity on the beach. Many people from the cities of Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune prefer Goa to be their weekend getaway destination. You can visit parts of South Goa if you are a music enthusiast and want to enjoy vibrant music festivals like Sunburn. Also, the lively Carnival of Goa where you get to see dancing troupes, live music, sports competition and amazing food and lavish drinks. If you are planning to travel to Goa, then there are many activities that you can add to your itinerary. You can enjoy a hot air balloon ride with your loved ones during your adventure trip in Goa.

 Hot Air Balloon Ride

Escape into the beautifully vibrant skies of Goa. Feel the pleasant wind 2000 ft. above the ground. With a hot air balloon ride in Goa, you will see a clear view of the beautifully coloured skyline. Whether you are planning a solo trip, a trip with friends, a honeymoon trip, a family trip or just a romantic trip to Goa. Hot air balloon riding is one of the best options to add to your itinerary. It is a must-do activity when visiting Goa to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful coastline and landscapes of the beaches of Goa. If you plan to do so here are some things that you should know before a hot air balloon ride:

1. Location of boarding: The boarding point for a hot air balloon ride in Goa is Assolda, a football ground in Quepem Taluk. It is just 29 kilometres away from the main city of Goa, that is Panaji.
2. Picturesque views: Be ready to head to the skies and see the greens and blues of the city from the top during your hot air balloon ride in the city of Goa. Be camera-ready and do not forget to make some amazing memories and take fantastic pictures of beautiful sceneries in Goa.
3. Batch size: Generally, a hot air balloon can accommodate 10 people, so you can take your friends or family for this ride. If a hot air balloon ride in Goa is your idea of a perfect date, bookings are available for a couple as well.
4. Documental proof: Usually, identification proofs are required before you go for a hot air balloon ride in Goa. It is to confirm your age and for booking details. So, remember to take your PAN card or Aadhar card while you are packing your stuff. The age limit for this activity is above 11 years old.
5. Things to carry: Since the weight you carry on a hot air balloon ride in Goa is a genuine concern, you cannot carry much heavy stuff or sharp objects. But, you can take a water bottle with you, in case you need it. Anyway, the duration of this ride is not that long so no need to worry.
6. Duration of the hot air balloon ride: Generally, the duration of this ride varies from 1-2 hours but not more than that. You can either choose to go for it early morning at 6.30 or 7 am, or you can ride in the evening around 5 pm.
7. Cost of the ride: The cost of this ride is very minimal. The price at which you can take a hot air balloon ride in Goa is Rs.1400 to 2000 for each person.
8. Weather conditions: You may know the days from October to March are the most ideal days to plan your trip to Goa. Though, mild winds are favourable for hot air ballooning, you must avoid flying in turbulent weather. Sometimes, if the weather conditions are not favourable for the hot air balloon ride it can be rescheduled for safety. The hot air balloon moves with the direction of the winds, so, the passengers feel absolutely no wind, except for brief periods during the flight when the balloon climbs or descends into air currents of different directions or speeds.
9. Health and Safety: If you can brace the height and you are not much scared of it, then a hot air balloon ride is a good option for you. Just to be safe, make sure you get a health check-up done. You should be termed to be fit, to go on a height of 2000 feet above the ground level.
10. Safety measures: Make sure that the pilot that you will be travelling with on the hot air balloon ride is well trained professional. Also, look for a licenced and government-approved ride operator in the city. Many of these operators also provide ride insurance so do not forget to travel with safety measures in check.
11. Dressing for the ride: Do not wear uncomfortable synthetic clothes, since, the burning flame that keeps the balloon afloat might be a bit problematic. Do keep in mind that the temperature may vary above ground level while taking a hot air balloon ride in Goa. So, if you are sensitive and feel cold easily, do keep an extra warm jacket in hand. Do not wear heels or uncomfortable footwear so that you can climb off the basket of the hot air balloon easily.

There are a lot of other interesting things to do in Goa such as taking a bike ride, enjoying seafood in fine dining restaurants, bars, and clubs, taking part in adventure sports, etc. Water sports is another one of those exciting activities that you can include in your Goa tour package.

The main spots to go for water sports in Goa are the beaches of Palolem, Colva, Agonda and Mobor. Here you can enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, and parasailing. Beautiful terrains and unexplored places in goa make it the perfect place for other water sports such as jet skiing and speed boating. Here are some of the water sports activities you can plan to do in different parts of Goa:

1. You can enjoy flyboarding in Goa’s Chapora river if you are willing to try something adventurous.
2. Try your hand at a banana boat ride, bumper boat ride or speed boating at the beach of Calangute located in North Goa.
3. To explore the underwater animals of the Arabian Sea you can do snorkelling on the Grand Island of Goa.
4. The most popular beach in Goa to do parasailing is Baga Beach. You can also indulge yourself in activities such as jet ski riding to have an enthralling experience on the shorelines of Baga beach.
5. Dive underwater to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea. Suba Diving is one of the most enjoyed activities at this famous Malvan Beach.

To make your experiences of water sports or any such adventure sports fulfilling and fun, make sure that you use the right gear and equipment.