Chiang Rai Hot Air Balloon Flight: Golden Triangle from above

You rise before dawn or at dusk to catch the light that makes the landscape below shift color.

A guided hot air balloon flight in Chiang Rai lasts around two hours total, with approximately 45 minutes aloft over jungles, rivers, temples and the Golden Triangle. The flight includes a professional pilot's commentary, a celebratory breakfast with tea, coffee and champagne, and a certificate to mark the experience. Return transportation from Chiang Rai city hotels is available on some options. The operator is Thailand's only licensed commercial hot air balloon company, approved by the Department of Civil Aviation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight and park visit

• Take hot air balloon flight over Chiang Rai
• Enjoy panoramic views and pilot commentary
• Celebrate flight with breakfast and champagne
• Receive hot air balloon adventure certificate
• Visit Singha Park for scenic exploration

The experience

The day starts before light breaks or in the hour before sunset, depending on which option you choose. A pilot who has logged hundreds of hours with passengers walks you through a safety briefing, answers your questions, and then you step into the basket (capacity runs between four and eight passengers), and the balloon lifts off on schedule. The flight lasts around 45 minutes, long enough to see the patchwork of rice paddies, the snaking rivers, the temple spires and the forested ridges that mark the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. The pilot narrates what you're seeing as you drift, and there's time to photograph and simply watch the landscape unfold below.

When you descend, the day isn't over. A celebratory breakfast waits (tea, coffee and champagne), and you'll receive a certificate documenting the flight. The whole experience, from arrival to return, takes around two hours. If you book a sunrise or sunset flight with hotel pickup included, you'll be collected from your Chiang Rai accommodation and driven back after landing. Private flights are also available if you want the balloon to yourself and your group. After, some travelers visit Singha Park, an agro-tourism destination nearby with tea plantations, orchards and trails, though that's a separate booking.

What’s included

• The flight includes approximately 45 minutes aloft in the hot air balloon with a professional, fully licensed pilot.
• a safety briefing and flight assessment before departure.
• a celebratory breakfast with tea, coffee and champagne after landing.
• and a certificate documenting your hot air balloon adventure. Hotel pickup and return transportation are included on Sunrise and Sunset options only, not on the Private Flight.

Options for this experience

4 options

Private FlightUp to 6 people · Guide in English · 06:00Private balloon: this is a private balloon for a minimum of 2 passengers

Chiang Rai Balloon (Sunrise)Guide in English · 06:00Duration: 2 hours, including a 45-minute balloon flight. Sunrise Tour: this balloon ride is shared with other guests

Chiang Rai Balloon – (Sunset)Guide in English · 16:15Duration is 1 hour 45 minutes. Sunset Tour: guests share this balloon ride with other passengers.

Special Occasion FlightUp to 2 people · Guide in English · 06:00 and 16:15Private flight for 2 persons: this flight is for an anniversary, marriage proposal, birthday or any other celebration. A flower bouquet, banner or cake is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 16:15

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by I Asia Thailand

Is this one for you?Choose a sunrise flight if you want the soft light and fewer crowds in the sky. Pick sunset if you prefer to sleep in and fly as the landscape glows. Private flights work best for groups who want the basket to themselves, though the basket still holds between four and eight people depending on combined weight.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's the actual flight time, and how much of the two hours is spent in the air?

The balloon flight itself lasts approximately 45 minutes. The remaining time covers the safety briefing, basket boarding, descent and the celebratory breakfast after landing, bringing the total experience to around two hours.

Can I book a private balloon flight just for my group?

Yes, a Private Flight option is available. You'll have the balloon to yourself rather than sharing it with other passengers, though the basket capacity remains between four and eight people depending on group size and weight.

Do sunrise and sunset flights both include a ride back to my hotel?

Return transportation from Chiang Rai city hotels is included on the Sunrise and Sunset options. The Private Flight option does not include hotel transfers, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to and from the launch site.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my flight?

The operator conducts a flight assessment before each departure and reserves the right to cancel or delay for safety reasons or unfavorable weather. If that happens, you receive a full refund. No alternate flight is guaranteed.

Are there any restrictions on who can fly?

Passengers must be at least 137 centimeters tall to fit safely in the basket. Children under four years old are not permitted, and only one child per adult is allowed. Pregnant travelers cannot fly. There is also a maximum weight limit of 120 kilograms (260 pounds) per passenger. Exceeding this incurs an additional charge of 100 percent, payable on the day.

What should I wear and bring for the flight?

Wear clothing that protects you from the heat of the balloon burner and the sun, plus closed-toe shoes, no flip-flops. Sunglasses, a hat that won't blow away, and binoculars are useful to have. Avoid alcohol and any substances forbidden by Thai law before and during the flight.