HOT-AIR BALLOONING

Another way to appreciate Thailand’s beauty from on high is by booking a tour in a hot-air balloon. Chiang Mai is a natural fit for the activity, thanks to the almost windless conditions and its setting within the broad expanse of the Ping River valley. Operating from the nearby district of Doi Saket, Balloon Adventure Thailand ( balloonadventurethailand.com) is billed as the sole commercial balloon operator licensed by Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority, and takes pride in its team of internationally qualified pilots and strict safety standards. The hour-long flights lift off at 6.30 a.m. during dry season, with just six people allowed in each balloon.