Rising above the Cultural Triangle in a balloon at dawn – the Sigiriya monolith lit in the first warm light, the ancient reservoirs catching the sunrise, wild elephants moving through the forest below – is one of the most extraordinary perspectives available on the island. Flights typically run for 45 to 60 minutes and operate in the stillest, most photogenic conditions of the day. Darash Lanka Tours coordinates balloon flights with the established and safety-licensed operators in the north-central region.