Water Sports in Bali

Thrill seekers will love water sports in Bali, where everything from jet skiing to parasailing is on offer. Beaches and coastal hubs around the city make it easy to try something new, whether you’re a beginner or already experienced. MakeMyTrip offers 340 water sports activities in Bali for 2025, designed for different skill levels. You can race across the waves, soar high above the water or explore calmer options like kayaking and paddleboarding. Trained guides and safety gear ensure you can focus on fun while staying secure. With Bali water sports prices starting from INR 134, adventure on the water is more accessible than ever. Add some excitement to your trip this December by booking with MakeMyTrip.

Hot Air Balloon London: Watching the City Wake from the Sky

You’re up before the city. The balloon lies stretched across the grass, a pile of fabric until the first flames kick in and it swells against the dim sky. Climbing into the basket feels clumsy, but the lift is quiet, slower than you expect. Suddenly the ground slips away, and London spreads out beneath you.

From above, the Thames doesn’t rush, it bends and curves, silver in the early light. Streets line up like a puzzle, rooftops glow faintly, and parks break the sprawl with patches of green. A hot air balloon London flight isn’t noisy or rushed. It’s steady. You hear the burners now and then, then nothing but wind and the faint hum of a city just waking.

As the sun climbs, landmarks appear one by one. You catch the outline of St. Paul’s, then the Shard catching the light, even Windsor far off on a clear day. That’s what makes hot air balloon trips London different, it’s not just seeing, it’s noticing. Details you’d usually miss from the ground suddenly stand out. And for that hour in the air, the chaos of the city feels far away. It’s simply you, the sky, and the slow drift over one of the world’s busiest capitals.

When to Go

Peak Season: Summer pulls you up into clearer skies, though it’s also when the baskets feel the busiest. June to August has long days, and from the balloon you’ll catch the city stretched out in warm light. A hot air balloon London trip in these months means steady weather, but also higher demand. It’s the time to go if you want those crisp, golden views over the Thames and the kind of photos you’ll keep showing off.

Shoulder Seasons: Spring and autumn bring softer colours and cooler air. March to May or September to October often give you calmer skies and fewer crowds. The parks below look fresh in spring and then turn shades of red and amber in autumn. Many travellers say this is when hot air balloon trips London feel most relaxed, not as hot, not as rushed, just a slower rhythm.

Winter Season: In winter, the rides are rarer, but when the weather plays along, the views are sharp and striking. Bare trees draw patterns across the ground, and the air is so clear you might see farther than in summer. A hot air balloon ride London at this time is cold, no doubt, but the quiet is unmatched. You’ll feel the chill in your hands, hear the crunch of frost before take-off, and carry home a memory that feels more intimate than the crowded flights of summer.

Types of Hot Air Balloon Experiences

Brentwood Countryside Balloon Flight

Overview: You roll out of bed before daylight, the sky still dim, and drive out toward Brentwood. The balloon lies flat across a field, fabric soft and quiet. Then, with the hiss of flames, it lifts. You climb into the basket clumsily, the first shudder as it leaves the ground. A hot air balloon London flight from here pulls you over countryside that feels miles away from the city, yet the skyline never quite disappears.

Locations: Launch is from just outside Brentwood in Essex. You drift over rolling fields, country parks and hedged lanes. On clear mornings you might catch London’s silhouette far off.

What you’ll see: Fields stitched together by hedgerows, old country mansions, small villages with church spires, and patches of woodland. Cows grazing, early morning mist clinging to low fields. As dawn breaks, light spills over the landscape. The city’s edges peek into view, distant towers, rooftops catching gold.

Package options: Shared balloon flights so you share the basket with a few others. Usually includes a short post-flight celebration. Sometimes a breakfast is included after landing.

Cost: It starts from INR 26,500 per person.

Premium vs. Standard: Standard flights tend to have more people in the basket and simpler post-flight extras. Premium gives you fewer people up there, more personal space, maybe a better breakfast or photo keepsake.

Henley-on-Thames Balloon Over the Countryside

Overview: You wake early. The field smells of dew. The balloon is quiet, stretched out across grass that’s still wet. Then burners flare, the balloon rises, and you feel the basket tilt slightly as you leave solid ground behind. A hot air balloon London flight like this takes you away from concrete and traffic, drifting over gentle countryside that still feels alive and peaceful.

Locations: Launch from somewhere near Henley-on-Thames, escaping the bustle of London. You float above the Thames, woodlands, small farms, with hills far off in the distance.

What you’ll see: Misty river bends, boats small from up high, patches of forest dappling the light, hedgerows forming ribbons between fields. If the morning is clear, rooftops glint in sunlight. Sometimes, a heron lifts off a riverbank, startling, then quiet again. Fields stretch out, occasionally broken by a church spire or an old stone wall.

Package options: Shared flights with maybe 5-10 people in the basket so it feels intimate. Includes post-flight treats (a light snack or hot drink) when you land. Some options give you photo keepsakes.

Cost: It starts from INR 28,000 per person.

Premium vs. Standard: Standard means more people in the basket, simpler snacks, more generic post-flight touches. Premium gives you fewer passengers, better refreshments, more photo moments, maybe a longer drift over countryside before descending.

Gentle Dawn Flight Over South East England

Overview: You wake early, the sky still grey but promising. The balloon waits in a field somewhere in the South East, launching over counties just outside the city. The burners ignite, a soft rumble, the fabric swells, and you climb in. Then up you go, drifting over countryside that feels far from urban noise, yet close enough that you’ll catch whisperings of London in the air. A hot air balloon London flight of this sort gives you that rare mix: escape and connection.

Locations: Launch sites are spread across South East England: think Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, or Essex depending on wind direction. You float over open fields, past orchards, rivers, and woodlands that have existed long before the city lights.

What you’ll see: At sunrise, there’s mist lingering over riverbeds and dew on wildflowers. You’ll glimpse farmhouses, country lanes, and glimpses of city skyline in the distance, rooftops, maybe a tower if the day is clear. Fields suddenly stretch pale gold in the morning light. Silence hangs in the air except for the burner’s occasional hiss and the rustle of wind in the trees.

Package options: Group flights are standard, shared basket so you’re not alone up there. After landing, there’s usually a small celebration: tea or coffee, a certificate, photos. Some flights come with return to your starting point or a countryside breakfast.

Cost: It starts from INR 30,500 per person.

Premium vs. Standard: Standard means more people in the basket, simpler post-flight extras. With the premium version you get fewer passengers (so more space), more care with timing, possibly better refreshments after you land, and a more relaxed pace.

What to Expect on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

• You’ll probably find yourself shivering a little at the launch site, not just from the early morning chill but from the anticipation. The balloon looks almost lifeless until the burners kick in and it suddenly heaves upward, colours catching in the half-light. That’s when it hits you, your hot air balloon London adventure is real.
• The lift-off isn’t dramatic. One moment your shoes are still in the grass, the next you’re quietly floating above hedgerows and winding lanes. A hot air balloon ride London feels more like slipping into a dream than taking off on a machine.
• As the basket rises, the ground rearranges itself into patterns, rivers turn silver, fields divide into neat squares, villages cluster like tiny models. Every flight is different, every drift of the wind shifting your view. On some days, a hot air balloon trips London journey might even reveal the skyline in the distance.
• The air feels sharper up here. Apart from the occasional breath of the burner, it’s just silence, so quiet you hear your own heartbeat. That calmness is what stays with you long after you’ve landed.
• An hour passes in this strange rhythm, and when you finally touch down, you realise you’ve been watching the world from a place few ever get to. It’s not about ticking off a ride; it’s about holding on to that rare perspective.

Safety and Tips

• Book your spot early. Seats for a hot air balloon London flight fill quickly, especially around summer and during the hot air balloon festival London. Weather plays a big part in these flights, so having some flexibility with dates is always smart.
• Dress in layers. Early mornings are chilly, but once the sun is up you’ll feel the warmth creep in. A jacket you can peel off, sturdy shoes for climbing in and out of the basket, and maybe a cap for the glare make your hot air balloon ride London far more comfortable.
• Keep it light. You don’t need much up there, sunglasses, your phone or camera, and a small bottle of water for after. The less you carry, the more you can focus on the view during your hot air balloon London adventure.
• Know the limits. Children above a certain age can join, but very young kids, pregnant travellers, or those with serious medical conditions might need to sit this one out. The baskets are stable, but you’ll be standing the whole time.
• Trust the weather calls. Sometimes strong winds or mist mean flights are cancelled at the last minute. It can be disappointing, but it’s also part of the rhythm of ballooning. Safety always comes first, and it’s what keeps these hot air balloon trips London so reliable.
• Cost-wise, remember it’s more than just the ride. The hot air balloon London price covers skilled pilots, ground crew, and safety measures that make the whole experience smooth from start to finish. It starts from INR 23,000, but the memory is priceless.