Vilnius & Trakai: Hot Air Balloon Flight with Champagne

Summary

Drifting over lakes, castles and old rooftops in Lithuania

You’ll float above Vilnius or Trakai at sunrise or sunset with an experienced local pilot, watching the city or castle islands drift beneath you. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off plus champagne in the field after landing. It’s quiet, surreal and strangely grounding — you’ll never look at those rooftops or lakes quite the same way again.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect my stomach to flutter before we even left the ground. We met our pilot, Tomas, just outside Vilnius — he had that calm way about him that made me trust the whole thing instantly. The grass was still wet from last night’s rain, and there was this earthy smell everywhere as they started to inflate the balloon. I kept glancing at the city skyline behind us, thinking: are we really about to float over all that?

We ended up flying over Trakai instead of Vilnius because of the wind (Tomas said it’s always a bit of a gamble), which honestly felt like luck. The lakes below looked like someone scattered blue glass across the land, and then there’s Trakai Castle just sitting there on its own island — I couldn’t stop staring. There was this weird silence up there except for the occasional whoosh from the burner. At one point, a woman next to me whispered something in Lithuanian and pointed out a stork’s nest on a chimney far below; I probably looked ridiculous squinting down at it.

After landing — which was softer than I’d imagined — we all stood around in a field while Tomas popped open a bottle of champagne (apparently it’s tradition). The grass brushed against my ankles and someone laughed when I tried to say “ačiū” properly. It felt like everyone was just quietly happy for a minute, nobody rushing off anywhere. I still think about how small everything looked from up there, and how different it all feels now when I walk through Vilnius or see photos of Trakai Castle. Hard to explain unless you’ve done it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot air balloon flight over Vilnius and Trakai

• Take balloon flight over Vilnius
• Fly over Trakai castle

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the hot air balloon flight?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Will we fly over Vilnius or Trakai?

The location depends on weather conditions; your guide will choose Vilnius or Trakai for safety.

How many people are on each flight?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers per group.

Is champagne included after landing?

Yes, a glass of champagne is served after your flight as part of the experience.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather conditions aren’t safe, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Are there health restrictions for this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiovascular issues.

What’s included

Your morning or evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Vilnius, all taxes and fees handled by your guide, plus a glass of champagne after landing out in the fields near either Vilnius or Trakai — depending on where the wind takes you that day.