A hot air balloon ride above the golden deserts is a most enriching & enjoyable experience. Whether you are sailing over the dunes outside Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, you would get the same exhilarating feeling. However, there are some noticeable differences in the hot air balloon experiences in the two emirates. You can choose either – or even both – depending on what you like about them.
Read on to know more about hot air balloon in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) vs Dubai: which one is better for you?
The Feeling That You Get on the Flight
RAK is blessed with abundant natural beauty. The expansive desert is serene; the skies are infinitely quieter. And from the balloon, you can enjoy stunning views of the coastline, the wavy dunes, and the majestic Hajar Mountains in the distance. An overall ambience of peace & genteelness is what you experience here. For people preferring peace & solitude, the hot air balloon ras al khaimah trip perfectly fits the bill
The desert outside Dubai is right next to the megalopolis. So, along with the sights of the sweeping golden desert, you would be viewing the cloud-kissing skyscrapers of the city – architectural marvels that are the hallmarks of Dubai. Some short-duration ballooning experiences stay in the skies close to the city, offering you a combo sighting of both natural & urban landscapes. So if this is what attracts you, go for the Dubai ballooning trip.
How to Reach?
From Dubai, almost every hot air balloon service provider arranges pickup from hotels early in the morning. So you don’t need to worry about reaching the desert! If you plan to visit Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai, the transfer time is slightly longer, but the drive is very enjoyable. And if you are putting up in RAK itself, then the service provider will arrange for hotel pickup – just like in Dubai.
Tour Duration & Charges
The sunrise hot air balloon ride usually lasts between 40 to 75 minutes. Weather conditions might impact the trip duration, though. Premium packages offered by many providers can offer trips of longer duration, customizable upon request. Prices vary, depending on trip duration & services provided. You may include add-ons like falconry shows & breakfast aboard the balloon at additional rates. Compared to Dubai, however, the rates charged by the RAK providers are usually on the lower side.
Crowds & Photo Opps
The ambience in RAK is quieter & more peaceful. So you can get wonderful wide-angle shots with glowing dunes and maybe even wildlife. And since the crowds are fewer, you can spend more time selecting the right angles and getting the perfect shot.
While flying over the dunes of the Dubai deserts as well, you would get dramatic lighting & desert textures. If the venue is close to the city, then some of the architectural marvels might also find their way into your picture frame. But you would need to contend with a much bigger crowd here! So for a quieter photo opp, go for RAK; and for variety & scale, Dubai is a better fit.
How Safe is it?
Well, very safe! Be it Dubai or RAK, the licensed operators follow the most stringent safety protocol. But of course, before choosing an operator, do read up about the reviews that customers post online. Have detailed discussions with the service providers regarding their safety assurances & experience of the pilots. The number of providers is, of course, significantly higher in Dubai, compared to RAK. So the options are more for you in the former.
Ras Al Khaimah Hot Air Balloon Trip– Who Should Go for It?
- If a quieter ambience amidst nature interests you
- Solitude & not spectacle is what you want
- You are keen on a budget trip
DubaiHot Air Balloon Trip – Who Should Go for It?
- If you want broader options in terms of service providers
- You are interested in packages that combine the balloon trip with city travel
- You want more variety in the tour packages
Thus, RAK scores over Dubai when it comes to a more peaceful trip experience, along with lower rates. But Dubai offers a wider choice of operators & more diverse trip packages that combine multiple attractions. Choose the one that best suits your needs – but whichever location you go for, the trip experience will be infinitely enjoyable.