Soaring into the Season: Anantara Angkor Resort Takes Ballooning to New Heights in Siem Reap

hot-air ballooning

As Cambodia’s peak hot-air ballooning season approaches, Anantara Angkor Resort invites guests to rise above the ordinary with a refreshed aerial journey, offered in partnership with Cambodia Balloon Adventures. The elevated experience reveals a rare perspective of the Angkor complex and its surrounding wonders, best enjoyed when paired with a stay at Anantara’s all-suite boutique sanctuary in Siem Reap, located just 15 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat.

Available only from November to March, hot-air ballooning in Cambodia is timed to coincide with the region’s dry season, when low humidity, minimal rainfall and clear skies create ideal flying conditions. Gentle, predictable winds and crisp morning air reveal long sightlines, allowing guests to fully appreciate the scale and symmetry of Angkor’s ancient temples.

From above, the temple complex unfolds like a giant mandala, its moats and towers framed by lush jungle and golden light. The balloon’s slow, silent drift offers 360-degree views of the Angkor Archaeological Park, including lesser-known sites, rice paddies, villages and the distant shimmer of Tonlé Sap Lake. The serene, cinematic sweep of Cambodia’s cultural heart, revealed by this timeless mode of travel, makes it ideal for photography, personal reflection and romantic moments.

Drift over the countryside and back in time

hot-air ballooning

The journey begins just before sunrise or sunset, lifting off from a peaceful countryside launch site. Guests are welcomed with refreshments as they watch the balloon inflate. Following a safety briefing, the flight glides over temple ruins and emerald paddies dotted with water buffalo. Depending on the wind, the balloon may pass over an ancient reservoir before landing gently where sparkling bubbles await to toast the adventure. Along the way, timeless scenes of rural life unfold, glimpsed only by birds and those suspended between earth and sky.

The price of the hot-air ballooning experience is USD 350 per person, inclusive of round-trip hotel transfers, refreshments, and a celebratory drink upon landing. Each flight accommodates up to 8 guests. Flights last between 35 and 60 minutes, depending on wind conditions. Sunrise itineraries are available between November and March, and sunset flights are available exclusively in December and January. All balloons are registered with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, insured through Lloyd’s of London, and operated by pilots holding UK, EU, and US commercial licences.

hot-air ballooning

Guests may also choose to combine their airborne adventure with one of Anantara Angkor’s curated stay packages. The All-Inclusive Luxury experience starts from USD 545 per night, based on two people sharing, and includes visa on arrival, VIP fast-track immigration, meals, return airport transfers, a full-day Angkor Wat exploration, a choice of massage, and more. The popular Fly and Unwind package, from USD 245 for two, includes daily breakfast, a USD 150 resort credit, and return airport transfers. For families, the Multi-Generational Special, from USD 2,500 for up to 6 guests sharing three adjacent suites, includes communal dining experiences, engaging guided tours designed for all ages, and airport transfers.

For inquiries, please email reserve.angkor@anantara.com. To learn more about Anantara Angkor Resort, visit www.anantara.com/en/angkor-siem-reap.

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