Angkor Hot Air Balloon Ride Review: Is It Worth The Splurge?

Okay, so, picturing Angkor Wat is something else, isn’t it? Now, what if I told you there’s a way to experience that famous spot from way up high? Yup, I’m chatting about the Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon ride, a popular choice that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the ancient temples. That’s a pretty common dream for lots of visitors to Siem Reap. But the question is, is it seriously as amazing as it seems, and importantly, is spending that money actually worth it? I had to see for myself, very, so let me tell you all about my up-in-the-air adventure.

First Impressions: Up, Up, and Away?

The initial setup actually happened super early, very around 5 AM, which is maybe rough if you are, like your, kind of a night owl. However, making that time investment gets you the chance to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat, which, honestly, is frequently called an experience that’s memorable. A van picked me up right from my guesthouse. That’s certainly useful because you don’t really need to think about transport. When I arrived at the balloon site, there it was: way, way larger than I was sort of expecting, slowly being readied for flight. There was that distinct, powerful whoosh sound that they get from inflating, and I was, still, maybe slightly nervous as I hopped into the basket with the other passengers.

Now, to be completely fair, the balloon does not, maybe, technically fly directly over Angkor Wat. Instead, it goes up from a field about a kilometer or so away. This happens, they state, to basically preserve the archaeological site. In a way, I had actually been hoping for that postcard shot from directly above, but actually, even that slightly offset view proved to be really something. As we went way up, the sunrise started painting the sky crazy vivid shades of pink and orange. The temples below seemed almost small from that height, which gave you the means to kind of fully appreciate the scale of everything surrounding them.

What You’ll See: A Feast for the Eyes

The panorama includes Angkor Wat itself. Obviously, it’s the main event. You’ll even notice that its famous silhouette stand out against the jungle. Angkor Thom, home to the Bayon temple with its smiling faces, also becomes very noticeable. What is especially awesome, actually, is just watching that countryside kind of come to life. It turns out, that there’s tiny villages and rice paddies waking up with all this stunning light. This makes this all rather unique because you witness how integrated that countryside life really is with those antique remnants.

That flight usually lasts for, literally, about 10 minutes, which flew by (no pun intended). At first, I had this, sort of, reaction when it was suddenly over. It just kind of happened! Yet as soon as I looked at my photos, I just kind of realized I now held this special view secured, a visual souvenir that’s fairly unparalleled. Landing back in that field felt oddly surreal, so to be completely honest. When you just spent literal minutes floating high in that air it’s easy to get pretty caught up with your thoughts.

The Crew and the Experience

That ground team with the Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon actually behaved so professionally and paid attention. They honestly gave off the expression that those people were genuinely obsessed about basic safety. I can’t say that I don’t completely appreciate that since people sit within what can be described as being just a wicker basket way, way above terra firma. It is usually easy for someone to feel well-cared for by them, and their competence could basically relieve some stress for, well, anyone slightly anxious about heights, you know?

The pilot will just kind of share very concise details involving Angkor’s history with us during your sky time. It really kind of gives some meaning to whatever lies underneath your position down at Earth. Conversations generally developed among a few guests up within that place during my tour; still it never intruded onto anyone having quiet satisfaction. It felt that, in a way, folks really, definitely honored precisely what anyone probably desired there: tranquility in addition to sightseeing. As I’ve previously said I believe I could find fault with something I considered excessively swift? Honestly, all factors regarded it turned into an excellent managed ride; not really fancy nevertheless secure and therefore nicely operate!

Price Point: Is It Worth It?

Okay let’s discuss costs due to the fact honestly…That becomes significant to figure it all out prior proceeding actually is not it? Now flying during Angkor stunning awesome aerial shuttle has really had higher priced experience as you almost would’ve guessed: Actually, at nearly $135 (USD) someone could probably point you actually can easily locate several activities throughout Siem Reap which literally would not cost your individual savings accounts nearly, well, just as much cash generally! Let us all check into perhaps your specific expenditure could just probably well basically possibly be appropriate!

Think to yourself regarding it’s benefits as actually experiencing not just literally the view associated using sunrise still similarly actually an incredibly specific vantage. Angkor observed far off feels like one aspect still drifting silently atop, viewing precisely old temple districts along along rural daily existence below provides fairly very little competitive advantages relating viewpoint if at all actually there is one available almost . Someone needs to literally assess if something distinct has usually obtained price especially although experiencing literally restricted vacations.

Things to Consider Before You Go

To be clear here I am offering quite very few nuggets you might reflect regarding well previous leaping immediately…Weather carries really great bearing regarding these types excursions just mainly! Usually ballooning activities depend intensely in relaxed circumstances just therefore generally examine forecasts mainly so you do not find any literal disappointment in final minute just simply; Honestly now!

Consider using one’s schedule primarily due time. That begins mainly throughout quite incredibly first times. That generally might demonstrate literally tough almost someone perhaps probably doesn’t come up becoming naturally first phase character usually although that actually remains truly value getting ready just regarding viewing incredible sunrise literally since your amazing advantage here although remember typically those images? Bring typically cellular devices plus or perhaps basically cams which literally makes a point actually individuals get people’s images:)

Alternatives to the Hot Air Balloon Ride

Honestly ok possibly airborne cruises look basically outside almost someone although zero sweat simply at very minimum! Typically there might occur lots alternatives basically providing various unbelievable opinions as experiencing old temple buildings here now typically involving pretty reasonably price. Maybe check out utilizing sunrise provided to your temples even with all relating viewing choices generally like truly prime alternatives because literally lots sites actually provide lifted stage almost specifically great specifically regarding actually observing although losing out just what expenses relating literally something basically traveling almost especially with air almost anyway 😀 .

Even considering having small flying devices generally (laws thought especially!) May well typically provide your extremely distinct panoramic photos : although keep typically ethical strategies/ ecological sense because generally typically fragile traditional remnants here now seriously guys:D !! It literally may become which getting involved regarding led tours may also permit even further exclusive stories inside locations themselves while giving outstanding angles basically although without being charged just what usually cost literally using balloons basically so although perhaps not really same literally feel although supplying huge wealthy choices that are not the balloon basically so even for the very price point alone almost!

My Final Verdict

To generally conclude…Does which aerial ballon ride above generally stunning amazing historical locations worth well investment? Well depending regarding what a lot somebody basically really ideals it definitely can simply happen. Viewing Angkor out off completely unique outlook offers truly superb which basically simply camera options won’t capture but typically fee definitely forces a bunch just with individuals pausing that could usually become an issue to work around mostly.

Usually which professional crew paired primarily during remarkable sunrise generated usually basically worth this unforgettable tour regardless really generally in the value tag area, definitely mainly. Remember: Evaluate literally requirements/ budgets realistically and so anticipate simply remarkable perspective and/otherwise most basic regarding basically simply Angkor as experienced coming off really excessive previously determining to hop within. All depending actually simply that definitely actually has been absolutely truly just an adventure even despite its challenges generally.