It's amazing how certain inventions belonging to an ancient era continue to fascinate us, even today. So while we have the MiGs and the F-15s with evolved engines and rotor blades making airplanes defy the speed of light and sound, it's a delightful feeling to be airborne in a simple hot air balloon, the oldest forms of air travel.
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What makes for an exceptional experience is the incomparable quiet you experience in the sky, after the propane burners have been fired (even as you sneer at the snaky traffic snarls below), the lack of a feeling of movement and a bird's eye-view of our globe that starts to resemble a toy town.



A hot air balloon works on the relatively simple principle where the hot air rises through cold air. The balloon can hover from a range of 500 to 3,000 feet above the ground level. While the pilot can control the altitude of the balloon, the air currents decide where you'll end up and how fast you'll get there.

It can be a thrilling way to see a new place or get a different perspective of an old one. Since the rains play spoilsport for this adventure till mid-September, we suggest you book a balloon trip in advance, just so that you don't miss your chance of getting to the top of the world.

Sky Waltz conducts hour-long balloon safaris in Jaipur, Pushkar, Ranthambore, Delhi and Udaipur. Cost:Rs 10,000 (approximately). Call on 9810414012 or log on to www.skywaltz.com for more details.

The Balloon Club of India in New Delhi organises the India International Hot Air Balloon Mela in November each year. It's a balloon fair where you hitch a joyride. Call on 011 23317977 or email balloonindia@yahoo.com for more details.

Wanderlust Travels can organise a balloon trip in Rajasthan. Call on 011 41636896 for more details.