Mohan, who flew with E-Factor, says the sport has already created a buzz in the upper middle class social circuit of the city and he himself “can’t wait to get airborne again”. While Delhiites mostly take off from sites in Gurgaon, Sohna and Manesar, the best views — unparalleled in the world—are of the forts and palaces of Rajasthan. “I was staying at the Samode Palace in Jaipur and had spent a lot of time admiring its interiors. But nothing prepared me for the view of the palace that I got from the balloon. It was fabulous,” says Duggal. If Rajasthan is too far away, Thakur suggests you check out the flights from Neemrana Fort, where the Aravalli hills form a spectacular backdrop.

Balloons can carry two to six people, besides a pilot. Pilots, like the balloons, are sourced from countries like France and Spain. “Safety and quality of the flight are of paramount importance. Hence, ballooning is an expensive hobby, an hour-long flight can set you back by around Rs 10,000, though for Rs 500 we provide tethered flights to schoolchildren and some adults who merely want to go up and down and not fly,” says Gupta.

Wason, who took almost 10 flights last year with Bandhu Aerospace, says his wife and daughter accompany him. “We fly over Damdama lake and sometimes as the breeze drops, the balloon skims the surface of the fields and then rises again. You can be at 2,000 ft one moment and then, drop down to 200 ft the next. It’s a perfect family outing,” he says. Though the pilot manipulates the balloon, Wason says he’s picking up tips on his journey to the clouds.

... contd.