Hot air balloon flights from the Jaipur area — typically launching from near Amber Fort — are one of the best ways to see the forts, villages, and desert landscape from above. Flights launch at dawn to take advantage of stable air, usually lasting 45 minutes to an hour, and on clear days you can see Amber Fort, Jaigarh, the long defensive walls snaking along the Aravalli ridge, and the pink expanse of Jaipur spreading out beyond.
Several operators run flights from Jaipur, with Sky Waltz and Skyview by Shreyans among the better-known ones. Prices are high by Indian standards (expect around INR 12,000-15,000 per person), but the experience is worth it on a clear morning. Flights depend on weather; the best season is October to March.
Book at least a day ahead, arrive on time at the pre-dawn assembly point, and bring a jacket — it is genuinely cold at altitude before the sun is up. Landing locations vary with the wind, so be prepared for a short drive back.