It is magical to just walk through the ancient city of Teotihuacan envisioning what this mighty city would have looked like in the 1500s. But nothing is comparable to floating over these pyramids in a hot-air balloon. Inside a basket with 12 other strangers floating in the air watching the sun rise to experience this ancient city. A forever memory etched in your brain. Here’s why you should try it….
But First a Bit of History
Teotihuacan, known today as the city of Mexico was built on what was originally a lake. This archaeological wonderland was once a major center of trade among the Aztecs. At the time, the capital of an empire ruling over one of the largest cities in all America. Today, not much is left of the old Aztec – capital Tenochtitlan. Its majestic temples—the pyramid of the sun and the pyramid of the moon, remain as mysterious as ever. To appreciate its grandeur and magnetism, what better way than to witness it from the sky? 888
Hot-Air Balloon Ride Over the Pyramids
My sister came down to visit me during my stay in Mexico City and a hot-air balloon ride was on both of our bucket lists.
Let’s begin with safety…carelessness can easily destroy this industry. Its survival depends on adhering to strict regulations although accidents can happen. It’s important to check the credentials and reputation of the company. How are their pilots trained? What has been their track record and how long has the pilot been navigating?
These rides must happen at the earliest of the morning. Expect to be picked up or to arrive before 6 am. We were offered coffee and tea of which I declined worried about having the urge to go to the bathroom after takeoff. Once we are registered and properly informed about safety protocols, we are driven to where all the balloons are stationed and fueled with huge burners. Half way through the fueling of our balloon you into climb into this huge basket divided into three sections along with the pilot and 10 other strangers. A bit too cozy, yet way too excited to care. My sister got to join the pilot in the middle section close to me. This being her first balloon ride, she was overjoyed and unsure of what to expect. By the time everyone was in the balloon it was ready to leave the ground. Slowly the balloon made its way up, first past the buildings in the immediate area and as they got smaller, passing the tallest trees. As the sun was slowly making its daily rise in the sky, in a matter of 20 minutes, you are facing the mountains and the morning mists. Super spectacular views of the sun, moon, clouds and mountains in sync with other balloons forming a golden aurora.
There was total silence inside the basket as one can hear and feel the whispering of the wind and the heat from the burner as the pilot navigated the balloon towards the pyramids. Suddenly, you are surrounded by so many more hot air balloons all headed towards the ancient city of Teotihuacan. As the balloon soars through the sky, you experience this feeling of lightness, nothing like what you feel in a plane or helicopter. Your face and skin are exposed to both the wind and the sun, offering an entirely different sensation. It is as if you are floating or being cradled in the sky. A magical visual spectacle that continues to unfold before your eyes, leaving you breathless and dazzled from the experience. Not realizing, the best is yet to come…
As we approach the pyramids alongside so many other balloons, you are suddenly looking down at history. The unknown history of what was once a powerful ancient civilization that had the audacity to turn a lake into a city. (If only time travel existed). The grandeur and beauty of floating above these pyramids was both emotional and awe-inspiring. My sister was practically in tears. I was in a haze, daydreaming about what this civilization may have looked like, wanting to look down and see the vibrancy of a thriving community, not just century old temples. There is so little historical data on how these pyramids were built and what the origin and daily life were liked before the Spanish conquest.
The pilot kept circulating the balloon for all to see this wonderland until it was time to go to a new location to land. There the crew works fiercely to rope down the balloon and anchor it on to a truck once we jumped off the basket. There was champagne to welcome us with a toast and a prayer before we were rushed into a van. Back at the office, we got to see the drone videos of the tour (way too expensive and not enough of both of us to want to buy it). Before leaving, we were handed a certificate of this unique experience. From there, we headed for lunch and then to the pyramids to walk and experience it from the ground up. You can easily spend a couple of hours just walking the archeological site imagining what life was like. They also have a museum closed on Mondays. Be aware that cancellations are based on weather conditions. Book this trip early to allow you to reschedule if needed.
Overall, the tour was worth the price (much cheaper than the US and in other parts of the world). However, if you have a car and don’t want to be part of a group, you can book directly with a balloon company and thereafter head to the pyramids.
My photos are of a combination of both the balloon ride and visiting the archeological site. As always, remember to click the center of the photo to see a full view of each photograph.
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