Hot Air Balloon Kazakhstan

A ride in a hot air balloon in Kazakhstan is unlike any other experience. Floating gently above the landscape, travellers get a peaceful view of rolling hills, open fields and city skylines. MakeMyTrip offers 293 hot air balloon tours in Kazakhstan for 2026, with both sunrise and sunset options. The flights are led by trained personnel who ensure safety while sharing insights about the region below. The calm journey makes it ideal for couples, photographers and families who want to see the city from a unique angle. With Kazakhstan hot air balloon ticket prices starting from INR 284, this activity is within reach for most travellers. Book your hot air balloon ride in Kazakhstan this January with MakeMyTrip and create moments worth remembering.

Floating Above the Steppes: A Different View of Kazakhstan

The day starts early, long before the sun shows itself. You’re standing on open ground, the fabric of the balloon still lying flat like it’s asleep. Then the burners fire, a sudden rush of heat and noise, and the colours swell into shape against the pale sky. Climbing into the basket feels a little awkward, but once you’re in, the lift is so gentle that the earth just slides away without fuss. That first moment is when a Kazakhstan hot air balloon ride really begins.

Up there, it’s the stillness that gets you. Fields spread out in every direction, stitched with rivers and tracks, while small villages sit quietly below. Sometimes you catch sight of horses moving across the steppe, or a road that seems to run on forever. A hot air balloon in Kazakhstan doesn’t rush you, as it drifts, letting the land unfold slowly, like turning pages in a story you didn’t know you were part of.

The flight lasts about an hour, maybe more, though it’s easy to lose track with the way the light keeps shifting. Shadows stretch, then fade, and the steppe glows warmer as the sun climbs higher. By the time you land, dusty but grinning, you’ll understand why a Kazakhstan hot air balloon feels less like an activity and more like something you carry with you.

It starts from INR 24,000 per person, and while the price might make you pause, a hot air balloon ride Kazakhstan is one of those rare moments where cost feels secondary. What stays is the memory of quiet air, wide horizons, and the sense that for a little while, you were weightless.

When to Go

Peak Season (May to September): These are the long, bright months when the skies are mostly clear and the land below feels endless. Taking a Kazakhstan hot air balloon ride in summer means looking down at golden grasslands that roll out for miles, with warm air brushing your face as the basket drifts quietly along. Days stretch longer, giving you more time to fly, and the weather is usually at its calmest, making this the most reliable window for smooth flights.

Shoulder Season (April and October): Spring softens the steppe with new shoots of green, while autumn brings in shades of brown and gold. These months are quieter, with fewer travellers around, and a hot air balloon ride Kazakhstan at this time feels slower and more personal. The air is cool, sometimes sharp against your skin, but the light is beautiful; crisp in the mornings and softer by evening. If you prefer space without giving up the magic, this is when you’ll want to go.

Winter Season (November to March): Flights don’t happen as often, but if you’re lucky enough to catch one, the scene is completely different. Snow dusts the open fields, rivers freeze into silver ribbons, and the silence deepens. Riding a hot air balloon in Kazakhstan in winter is not for everyone—the cold can sting—but what you see stays with you. It’s the land in its rawest form, stripped back and unforgettable.

Types of Hot Air Balloon Experiences

Almaty Sunrise Flight

Overview: If you’ve ever imagined watching mountains wake up, this flight is the closest you’ll get. An early-morning Kazakhstan hot air balloon ride over Almaty is one of the most popular choices, and you’ll know why as soon as the basket lifts. The city slips away behind you, the Tien Shan peaks catch the first glow of light, and the sky slowly shifts from grey to pink to gold.

Locations: You’ll float above the Almaty region, with rugged ridges rising on one side and the vast Kazakh steppe opening on the other. Few places give you this kind of contrast, with mountains so close you can trace their folds, and plains that stretch as far as you can see.

What you’ll see: As the sun climbs, valleys below turn warm and golden. Rivers reflect the light in silver streaks, small villages come into view, and sometimes you’ll spot herds moving across the fields. It isn’t rushed; it feels steady, like the land breathing under the morning sky.

Package options: Flights usually last around an hour. You can join a larger basket with other travellers or choose a smaller setup that keeps things intimate. Some flights include light snacks after landing, while others focus only on the flying itself.

Cost: It starts from INR 24,000 per person.

Premium vs. Standard: Premium flights limit the number of people, giving you more room and better photo opportunities. Standard rides carry more passengers but are easier on the budget, and still hold on to that sunrise magic.

Shymkent Steppe Adventure

Overview: If Almaty shows you mountains, Shymkent lays out the endless steppe. Taking a Kazakhstan hot air balloon ride here feels quieter and more open, with the horizon stretching so far it seems to swallow the sky. It’s one of the most memorable ways to see the south, and the stillness of it lingers long after you’re back on the ground.

Locations: You’ll drift above wide plains, scattered farms, and winding rivers. On a clear day, the Karatau Mountains appear faintly in the distance, rising like a backdrop behind the empty openness.

What you’ll see: The early light washes the land in changing colours; first pale gold, then richer greens and browns as the day warms. From above, you’ll notice cattle grazing, lines of crops stitched neatly into the earth, and dirt roads threading quietly across the steppe. The details are simple, but they stand out when seen from the air.

Package options: Flights typically last between 60 and 75 minutes. Standard rides welcome larger groups, while premium ones keep it smaller or extend the flight a little longer for those who want more time in the air.

Cost: It starts from INR 22,500 per person.

Premium vs. Standard: Premium packages are about space, with fewer passengers, cleaner views, and more chances for photos. Standard rides bring in more people, which can be lively if you like sharing the moment with others.

What to Expect on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

• Your morning begins before sunrise, when the balloon is still a heap of fabric on the ground. As the burners fire up, it glows against the half-dark sky, and you feel the buzz of anticipation. Every Kazakhstan hot air balloon flight starts with this quiet build-up.
• The lift-off is gentle, almost unnoticeable. One moment your feet are on grass, the next you’re floating. From up here, a hot air balloon ride Kazakhstan feels less like transport and more like slipping into another pace of time.
• Fields stretch wide, mountains rise at the edge of the horizon, and rivers shine faintly in the early light. You catch yourself leaning over the basket, tracing every curve of the land.
• Sometimes you drift low enough to hear dogs bark from distant villages, and other times you rise so high that everything below looks like a patchwork painting. A hot air balloon in Kazakhstan gives you both: closeness and vastness in one flight.
• Expect around 60 to 90 minutes in the air. Enough to take photos, breathe the crisp air, and let the silence sink in. It’s one of those activities where you’re fully present without even trying.

Safety and Tips

• Before your Kazakhstan hot air balloon flight, dress in layers. Mornings can be chilly, but once the sun rises, the air warms quickly. Comfortable shoes are a must since you’ll be standing in the basket the entire time.
• Pilots usually give a short safety briefing. Listen carefully, especially about landing positions. Even a gentle hot air balloon ride Kazakhstan ends with a little bump when the basket touches the ground.
• Don’t carry too much. A small bag, your phone, and maybe a light jacket are enough. The basket doesn’t leave much space, and you’ll want your hands free to take in the views.
• If you’re nervous about heights, remind yourself that a hot air balloon in Kazakhstan moves slowly and steadily. Most people feel calm once they’re in the air, thanks to the silence and smooth drifting.
• The ride usually lasts over an hour, so eat a light snack beforehand. Heavy meals can make you uneasy, but you’ll need some energy to enjoy the morning.
• Finally, bring a camera but don’t get lost behind the lens. Some of the best moments on these activities come from simply standing still, breathing deeply, and letting the views soak in.