A Sri Lanka hot air balloon ride gives you about an hour of free flight at sunrise over the Cultural Triangle, the inland region around Dambulla, Kandalama and Habarana. When the wind carries you the right way, you may see Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock, the Dambulla Golden Temple, Kandalama Lake and the Habarana countryside.
It is a slow way to see the rock and temple country: you drift with the wind instead of following a road, and on the Cultural Triangle sunrise ride the morning ends with a champagne, juice and cake celebration.
You will find these flights on our Colombo hub, but none of them flies over Colombo itself. All three are shared, untethered balloons over the Cultural Triangle, with hotel pickup in the area and a launch field near Kandalama Lake.
Which Sri Lanka hot air balloon ride to book
- Cultural Triangle Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, from USD 275 per person. About 60 minutes of free flight (give or take 10) inside a morning of about four hours. Includes hotel transfers, breakfast before take-off, cold water, a champagne, juice and cake celebration, a personalised flight certificate and insurance. You may see Sigiriya Rock, Pidurangala Rock, the Dambulla Golden Temple, Kandalama Lake and the Habarana countryside. The lowest price and the fullest list of inclusions.
- Dambulla Countryside Hot Air Balloon Ride, from USD 394 per person. About 60 minutes over the Dambulla countryside. You may see the Habarana countryside, Kandalama Lake, the Dambulla Golden Temple and Sigiriya Rock. The listing gives fewer details on inclusions, so check your voucher.
- Dambulla Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, from USD 400 per person. A sunrise flight of about 60 minutes inside about 105 minutes in total, with hotel pickup noted on the listing. You may see the Dambulla Golden Temple, Kandalama Lake, the Habarana countryside and Sigiriya Rock.
All three fly the same kind of balloon over the same country for about the same time. The Cultural Triangle sunrise ride costs the least and spells out the most, so it is the one to start with; the two Dambulla rides are alternatives if it does not fit your date.
Before you go
- Season: flights typically run from November to May, every day the weather allows. Check live dates when you book.
- Where: pickup is from your hotel in the Habarana, Kandalama, Sigiriya or Dambulla area, then on to that morning’s launch field near Kandalama Lake. The exact field depends on the wind. Confirm your pickup address when you book and follow the report time on your voucher.
- Group size: shared balloons, with up to about 12 travellers on a shared flight; basket allocation varies by morning. No minimum group size is stated.
- Who can fly: no minimum age and no passenger weight limit are published. You may still be asked for weights, and fitness notes are on your voucher.
- Landings: the balloon lands in a field near the flying area, wherever the wind allows. It is not tethered.
- Cancellation: full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Wind and weather can cancel or change a flight, with a refund.
Questions about ballooning in Sri Lanka? Email us at hello@flyovertheworld.com and we’ll help.