Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning is not very much familiar in Sri Lanka as it costs high. But this activity is very popular among tourists. Because there are many foreigners directly come to have this facility since it is low cost as per their budget.

Kandalama, Dambulla is the most suitable area to run this activity since the weather and the environment is totally comfortable with the ballooning conditions. Sun Rise Ballooning is the only company in Sri Lanka which operating this event since last 10 years. There is a pilot to operate the balloon and he is the co-owner of this company. Mr Justin is having over 36 year experience within 44 countries about Ballooning.

I had this amazing opportunity freely for a newspaper article. The balloon will start to fly around 5.30am at Kandalama and that is the suitable and correct time to fly. Because the environment (Kandalama) at that time is so cold and with mist. Then the balloon can easily go to the sky since it’s getting hot. All the passengers should be at there at time and they cannot stop the balloon once it got opened to fly. We left from Ja-Ela at 12.00mid night and came to Kandalama, Dambulla at 4.00am. Since we had more time, we were slept at the roadside bench for 1 hour after that we went to the place and we got shocked by seeing the huge balloon. That is almost covered 15-20 perches on ground. We got into the balloon and it’s started to fly around 5.40am. The basket was divided to 8 parts and the passengers should be at there as per the required measures.  We were lucky to see the sunrise from the Sigiriya side and that was really beautiful and amazing. The environment was totally at a mist and sometimes we saw the village houses and the green paddy fields. After 20 minutes we were around 1200ft-1500ft high and the view from the sky is unbelievable.

At least you should have an 18-300mm lens to capture the moments and we saw Sigiriya, Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla Temple, mountains, Lakes, Tanks, Giant Buddha Statue etc. We had almost a 90 minutes ride at the sky and finally the balloon was landed to a paddy field where they normally landing.

INTRODUCTION TO BALLOONING

Hot air ballooning is an adventure activity like no other, your flight path unknown, taking off at sunrise around 6 am. Passenger to be at the launch site by 5.30 am.

It is peaceful, fun, exciting and amazing. Whether you are a couple, a group or a single adventurous traveller each and every balloon flight makes for an unforgettable and breathtaking journey.

Float gently with the breeze 1,000 – 2,000 feet above taking off from Kandalama in the Cultural Triangle as you enjoy the experience of the oldest form of flight. The peace and gentleness of the flight will surprise you as your Pilot guides the balloon using the different wind currents at different altitudes.

Become one with the wind. See the daybreak beneath you as it comes alive. The spectacular sunrise across the Kandalama tank as it paints the landscape with wonderful colours, watch the fisherman beneath, the mountains, the green forests with the waking of wildlife “music of the wild”. The Golden Buddha sitting majestically on one end and Sigiriya in the distance on the other. Villagers of all ages calling out Good Morning and waving happily to the passengers as you fly over their homes and children following the balloon to the landing to collect their share of stationery.

Coming to land your Pilot will inform you to take your position. After the landing, your flight will be toasted with a glass of champagne. Juice and chilled water is available. After which you will be taken by our drivers to your hotel. What better way to start your day

Why choose Sun Rise Ballooning?

Sun Rise Ballooning is the premium hot air balloon flight company catering for small or large groups with the country’s most experienced balloon team since the inception of ballooning in Sri Lanka. Abiding by the aviation laws and regulations set by the relevant ministries is our responsibility.

Our Balloons :

All our balloons are registered aircrafts with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA-SL). Our balloons undergo regular maintenance and safety audits ensuring our passengers safety and comfort with yearly inspection for airworthiness by the CAA-SL.

Pilots :

We handpick European Pilots who have a wealth of knowledge flying in different terrains in many countries and with a strong emphasis on safety. We are in the process of training our very own home grown Pilot under the watchful eyes of our Chief Pilot / Director initially on ground works and will finally head to Europe to be trained and certified in the proper manner.

Operations:

Geared in keeping up-to date, all paperwork needed for the operation namely documentations with the CAA for balloons, Pilots, crew etc.

Justin Patrick Moore – Chief Pilot and Director

Over 30 years of experience flying hot air balloons in many countries around the world from the North Pole to Australia and with 4580 flying hours. Justin has been flying in Sri Lanka since 2006 in the North Central, Southern Region and the 1st flight in the Colombo District. With the love for Sri Lanka and making it his 2nd home and passion for ballooning, he will continue to fly till retirement.

Justin was the Chief Pilot and Director of European Balloon Display Co Ltd in the UK.

Package Price:

Foreigners     –        US$ 210/- per adult

Sri Lankans    –        Rs. 17,000/-

Child rate       –        US$ 160/- per child between the ages of 7 and 12

NB: teenagers under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult and kids under 7 years old and pregnant ladies will not be allowed to take the balloon flight.

We especially thanks to,

Sun Rise Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd is a SLCAA approved project and operates commercial flights in the Dambulla area situated in the centre of the Cultural Triangle.

Based at :

Sisirawatta, Kandalama Road,

Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Fax. +94 (0) 112 898470

info@srilankaballooning.com

Its getting up

Filling with the Gas

Its got up

Pilot is checking the gas

Ready to Fly

We were at the Basket

Moving from the ground

The power

We are flying

Styles at the Dawn

Lonely house at a paddy feild

Sigiriya is at dawn

Paddy fields

A mining workshop

Kandalama tank

Nice paddies

Sun rising over the mountains

Oh, She is coming

So Beautiful

The firing ball is at the sky

Sunrising over the Kandalama Tank

People are getting ready

Stylish Paddy fields

Firing Ball on the Red carpet

Over the mountains

Red and Balck

The giant Buddha Statue

Path between the Paddies

Reminding me the Sun set at Colombo

Over the tank an mountains

Beautiful Sun Rising

Water source at the ground

Mr Justin operating the machine

Soo Hot, Firing

Mr Justin

Bird View

A bird flying

Over the Dambulla temple

Mountains at the mist

The Balloon

The Gas tanks

The gadgets

Village House

Their living style

Don’t know the name

Anuradhapura Dambulla road

View from the sky

Nice views of the paddy fields

Beautiful Temple at the mist

view of a CTB from the sky

Passengers

Happy Faces

They are enjoying the tour

Zoomed view of the mountain

Coconuts at a line

Paddy Fields

Another water source for the paddies

Mist and Mountains

Opportunity

They have started their daily works

Getting ready to go to the School

Reflection on water

Capturing Capturing..

CTB is going fast

Happy faces at all

Happy faces

Styles of the ground

Beautiful Roads

Over the small forests

Paddy styles

Main road

Another view of Paddies

Beautiful Know..

Sky view

Happy faces

Sun rising team

My friend is coming

Giant mountains

Shadow of the Balloon

Shadow over the forest

Happy Faces

Shadow over the rocky plains

Mist is getting disappear

Sky view

Sky View

They are flying

Over the paddy fields

Shadow over the paddy fields

Bi Balloon

Ready to Land

Ground team was at the landing site

My friend

Pulling to the correct place

Top of the Balloon

Balloon was landed

We landed

The giant getting packed

The Giant

The passengers

The Basket

Where we were stayed

Fe more to fold

This is not a easy work

Sharing the feelings

The team

The Pilot Mr Justin

They were really enjoyed

We with the Pilot

View from the land

Photos by my friend

We are flying

We are flying over the mountains

I didn’t see this angle

All rights reserved

It was landed

Successful land

The giant after the ride