🔥 Worth every ruble: why a hot‑air balloon ride is more than a tourist gimmick—unforgettable memories you have to try (plus loads of photos and video)
add_circle Pros
- Affordable price – you get a full flight for a fraction of what other tours charge, making it a solid value for money that leaves room in the budget for extra snacks or souvenirs.
- Panoramic views of Moscow’s historic center and the surrounding countryside, from the iconic domes of the Kremlin to the rolling fields beyond, giving you photo‑worthy scenery at every turn.
- Plenty of photo opportunities from sunrise to the city’s skyline, with soft morning light that makes buildings glow and the clouds look like cotton candy – perfect for both casual snaps and serious shots.
- Calm, meditative ascent that feels like floating on a quiet morning; the gentle rise lets you unwind, breathe deep, and actually enjoy the silence up there.
- Friendly, professional crew that explains safety and makes you feel at ease, answering questions with a relaxed vibe and keeping the mood light and reassuring.
- Quick and easy booking process with clear instructions on where to meet, so you spend less time worrying about logistics and more time getting excited about the flight.
- Strong safety standards and well‑maintained equipment, from the burner to the basket, giving you confidence that everything is in top shape.
remove_circle Cons
- Early wake‑up required – you have to be at the launch site before dawn, which means setting your alarm for an ungodly hour and bundling up in the chill.
- Flight windows are weather‑dependent, so cancellations can happen if it’s too windy or foggy, meaning you might need to reshuffle your plans.
- The basket is small; with three people it starts to feel cramped, especially if you’re lugging a big camera or a bulky jacket.
- Flight duration is only about 45 minutes, which may feel short for the price, leaving you wishing for a few extra minutes of that peaceful drift.
- No onboard refreshments, so you need to bring your own water or snacks, which can be a hassle if you forget them in the rush.
- Landing can be a bit bumpy if the wind picks up near the end, giving you a jolt that’s more thrilling than graceful.
- Limited space for luggage or large cameras, so you have to pack light and maybe leave that extra tripod at home.
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Editor's Summary
I finally took the Letunofsky hot‑air balloon ride over Moscow with a buddy, and not gonna lie, it completely changed how I think about weekend adventures. We lifted off just before sunrise, so the city unfolded beneath us in golden light – historic rooftops, the Kremlin spires, and the green belt stretching out like a patchwork quilt. The whole thing felt surprisingly safe and smooth, almost meditative, like floating on a quiet morning. What really sold me was the value for money: the ticket price was low enough to feel like a steal, the crew were friendly pros who explained everything without a hint of jargon, and the booking process was a breeze. Sure, you have to get up early, but you walk away with a bucket full of photos, a head full of memories, and a story that’ll make your friends jealous.
Specifications
Hey folks! I’ve got to share the epic balloon ride my buddy and I did with Letunofsky. If you’ve been daydreaming about this kind of adventure forever but keep putting it off, think of this as your friendly push to finally do it!
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
Why Letunofsky?
My friend and I are great at planning a bunch of cool vacation ideas, then somehow forgetting most of them. This round we decided to be deliberate and finally cross the balloon ride off our bucket list.
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
We checked out a few options – yeah, Kazan does have balloon rides, but the prices are sky‑high and the views weren’t that exciting. Then we found Letunofsky, based out of the Moscow region, and the best part? They run pre‑dawn flights. While most operators stick to daytime or sunset rides, this crew lets you launch in total darkness, drift through the early‑morning twilight, and watch the sun pop over the horizon.
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
How it all works: from the certificate to take‑off
We grabbed group flight vouchers on the site – the promo dropped the cost to about 9 k per person. A private flight would’ve been sweet (just you, the pilot, and romance), but for a first‑timer the group option worked perfectly and kept the price sensible.
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
Pillow balloon ride in Moscow
After we paid, the e‑certificates showed up in our inbox, and a manager reached out to nail down the details. Moscow weather is a roller‑coaster – one minute it’s scorching, the next it’s pouring. The crew monitors the forecast closely (not just the generic Yandex Weather), so they said we’d get a confirmation a few days ahead and a final “go‑ahead” just a few hours before lift‑off.
D‑Day: a night‑time quest with cows and champagne
We rolled into Moscow and the weather was playing roulette—30°C in the morning, then a downpour by evening. We felt a little nervous, but the organizers soothed us: "All good, we’re taking off.".
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow We only got about three hours of sleep before the launch (pro tip: if you want to enjoy the ride, get a solid night’s rest beforehand—not like we did). We didn’t have a choice, though, since we were traveling to Moscow by bus.
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow Hot air balloon flight in Moscow I covered this trip here:
"You’ll take off like a bowling pin!": How the drivers from "Transport World" organized 48 passengers and got them there without a hitch
At 2:30 am a taxi whisked us to Dmitrov, where a crew was already waiting in a 4×4 with a trailer packed with a huge balloon envelope, basket, and a ton of gear.
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow Hot air balloon flight in Moscow Here’s a piece about Dmitrov:
Facts about Dmitrov: even the tire‑shop guys are heroes
Lifehack #1: Wear waterproof shoes!
The fields at dawn are wet, chilly, and you’ll even step on cow pats. We showed up in sneakers, but rubber boots would’ve been a smarter pick.
The magic of prep: how a hot‑air balloon is born
Turns out the balloon isn’t just a giant party balloon—it’s 4 ft of fabric, ropes, and fire!
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow First they spread it out, then they start inflating it with cold air using a massive fan. Once it’s puffed, they fire up the burner—and that flat piece of fabric transforms into a huge, colorful beast just itching to lift off! Hot air balloon flight in Moscow While the balloon fills, the pilot runs through the basics:
How to climb into the basket (stay calm, no acrobatics required).How to brace yourself for landing (just in case it’s a hard touch‑down).What to do if you get nervous (spoiler: you won’t). Takeoff: when the ground slips away
And then the moment of truth – the basket lifts off, and you realize you’re no longer a pedestrian, you’re a balloonist. I expected it to be scary (my self‑preservation instinct usually kicks into overdrive around that metal basket), but the ride turned out surprisingly smooth.
Hot air balloon ride in Moscow
Hot air balloon ride in MoscowWe rose through the clouds and at one point were actually above them, with a thin ribbon of sunrise spreading out below. That’s the feeling: drifting in silence, just wind, clouds, and a total sense of freedom.
Hot air balloon ride in Moscow
Hot air balloon ride in MoscowWe floated over the misty forests and fields of Dmitrov, and I even managed to snag a fresh pine cone from the top of a tree—can’t tell if it was a fir or a spruce—but I’m proud of my little trophy.
How to embed a video in your review:
How to embed a video in a review without YouTube: a Vimeo hack and step‑by‑step guide
Guys, the feeling is unreal—truly meditative.
Hot air balloon ride in Moscow
Hot air balloon ride in MoscowLifehack #2: Bring power banks and strap‑on cases
You’ll have endless photo and video chances, and a quick charge will keep your gear alive. A case on a rope adds extra safety in case you get lost in the scenery.
Hot air balloon ride in Moscow
Hot air balloon ride in MoscowLanding and the honorary title
After an hour of weightlessness we began to descend. The pilot skillfully touched down on a field near the village of Yakotskaya. Then came the old aviator tradition: an induction ceremony. We were dubbed ‘Countesses of Yakotskaya’ and handed a glass of champagne each. Now we’ve got titles.
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow
They drove us back to Dmitrov, dropped us off at the meeting point, said goodbye on a friendly note, and my friend and I realized we wanted a sunset flight – they say the colors and vibes are completely different.
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow
I’m absolutely convinced everyone should try a hot‑air balloon ride at least once, and Letunofsky, the organizers we used, are a solid choice:
Not scary – even if you’re afraid of heights.
Incredibly beautiful – especially at sunrise.
Top‑notch organization – the crew really knows their stuff.
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow
Hot air balloon flight in Moscow
And yeah, if you decide to go, bring warm clothes (it’s chilly up there) and a good mood. Also, get ready to earn the title.
