North of Jaipur the land opens out into farmland, villages and rocky hills, and this is the country the sunrise balloon flights cover. Seen from above, the farm tracks and the flat roofs of the villages form a map that the road never shows you. The pilots pick one of several launch sites each morning, and flights often launch in the countryside around Samode, depending on the wind. The city itself is about 45 minutes away by car, and the flight stays over the countryside. On the Jaipur hub this is the setting for the one ride on offer.
The Jaipur Countryside Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride is the way to see it. It is a shared balloon flight with about 60 minutes in the air, from US$314 per person, and it takes about 4 hours in total with hotel pickup and drop-off in Jaipur. You take off around sunrise, and the listing describes fields, villages and rolling hills below. The height changes through the flight, from skimming the treetops to about 3,500 feet, so the view shifts from close detail to wide horizons.
The day starts early. You are picked up from your hotel or another address in Jaipur, with the exact pickup time confirmed after booking, and driven about 45 minutes to that morning’s launch site. The vehicle may stop for other guests on the way. Light refreshments are served before take-off and the crew gives a safety briefing. After landing you receive a first-flight certificate, and the drive back to Jaipur takes about an hour.
The wind decides the route, so think of the area as a starting point rather than a destination. The launch site changes from day to day and the balloon travels in whichever direction the wind blows, so no village, fort or building is promised. The palace may be visible in the distance, depending on the wind, but it is not a stop, and the pilots do not steer towards it. What the flight offers is the wider landscape: fields in the early light, villages below and the hills catching the first sun. Each morning’s flight is different for that reason, and part of the appeal is not knowing exactly where you will come down. The balloons are shared, carrying from about 6 up to 24 guests, and you cannot choose the size.
You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before. If weather cancels the flight, you get a full refund or can rebook. Wear flat, closed shoes, because skirts and saris make climbing into the basket difficult, and plan ahead: there are no toilets where the balloons take off.
The minimum age is 5, and there is no upper age limit. No weight limit is stated, but the crew places guests in balloons by weight, so you may be asked for yours. The ride is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems or wheelchair users, and you need to be able to stand for about an hour. Flights often launch in the countryside around Samode, depending on the wind, so to see this countryside at first light, book the sunrise balloon ride. For more on the landscape outside the city, see Jaipur Countryside.
Se Samode Village and Countryside från luften: Jaipur · Jaipur Countryside Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride.