The Dubai Birthday Balloon Experience – VIVA is on cloud nine
| 20th March 2022
| 20th March 2022
When it comes to milestone birthdays, hitting 40 must be right up there, which is why VIVA co-owner and travel guru, Sammy B, celebrated in style in Dubai.
He chose a hot air balloon ride, watching the sunrise over the Dubai desert, to mark his 40th and it’s a once in a lifetime experience, one to remember forever.
ABOUT BALLOON ADVENTURES DUBAI
Balloon Adventures Dubai is part of the award-winning Hero Experience Group which offer authentic and unique air, sea and land experiences across Dubai. Not only do they provide hot air balloon packages but also eco-luxury safari experiences and self-drive boat tours.
As Dubai’s longest operating hot air balloon company with world-experienced pilots, their adventures are not only memorable but also extremely safe.
Whether you’re a tourist here in Dubai or like me living out here, these experiences really are the high life, literally in this case.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ARRIVAL
We were picked up at our hotel at 4am and driven out into the desert, it’s an early start but then it’s worth it to see the sunrise and make the most of being 4,000 feet high.
Our guide gave us a full run-down of all things Dubai on the hour-long car trip, wonderfully informative as we woke up in comfort and style and very excited for our day ahead.
When we arrived, we were given a brief safety demonstration and then watched them blow up the balloons. It was a stunning sight in the (almost) pitch-black desert.
Once the balloons were inflated, we all climbed into the baskets and floated up, up and away.
HOW WE FELT 4,000FT UP IN A BALLOON
The first thing to say once we were up in the air, is how incredibly peaceful and beautiful it is whilst you wait for dawn to break.
Our pilot (yes, they’re called balloon pilots) was great at pointing out landmarks on the ground and talking us through ascent and landing.
About 20 minutes into the ride, the sun started to creep out over the desert sands, which was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
It’s disarmingly quiet up there, despite the fact that you’re literally floating 4,000 feet in the air in a wicker basket fuelled by fire. We took hundreds of pictures, breathed it all in, and the pilot even snuck a little ‘happy birthday’ singalong in.
If you’ve never been in a hot air balloon, I highly recommend it and Dubai is definitely the place to do it.
THE PARTY CONTINUES
When it comes to the landing, you’ve got to hold on tight, brace and then the balloon bounces off the ground a few times before ultimately stopping.
A few of the balloons around us landed sideways, but our pilot was spot on and we gently touched down, effortlessly and upright. It was surprisingly fun and you can get some incredible shots of the dunes on your way down.
Once out of the balloon, we were ushered back into our cars and taken to another location in the desert, where we hopped into vintage Land Rovers.
We zipped further through the desert and came to the most amazing base camp, where the team put on a full breakfast spread for us. From authentic Arabic fare to eggs benedict and chai tea, there was something for everyone.
GETTING THE HUMP
They even had a herd of camels parked up outside the camp that you can ride around if you want. Sammy B chose not to ride one, but the rest of us happily jumped on and had a blast.
Once we’d been fed and watered, we relaxed at the base camp in super-comfy chairs soaking up the sun before jumping back into our Land Rovers and heading home.
There’s no way to do this trip justice in a write up you just have to go experience it for yourself! The hospitality from the whole team was unmatched, and the trip was amazing from start to finish.
Now what shall we do for his 50th?
PRICES
Shared Balloon
Includes; Hot Air Balloon flight with Vintage Land Rover Drive & Breakfast.
Adult: 1,250.00AED (£253)
Child: 1,100.00AED (£223)
HOW TO BOOK
Online: www.balloon-adventures.com
Email: info@ballooning.ae
Call: +971 4440 9827
LOCATION
1303 Control Tower, Motor City, Dubai,
United Arab Emirates.