Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.

We are afraid of heights, but a hot air balloon ride was on my bucket list! I’m so glad we went. It was such an awesome experience! The balloon ride was so smooth! We didn’t even really know we were in the air unless we looked down! Conditions were perfect for a smooth ride and landing. The pilot explained to us how to brace ourselves in case we were going to have a rough landing. The landing was perfect! We didn’t even notice have to brace ourselves at all!! Best part… champagne and mimosas at the end of our ride!! The whole process from unloading the balloon, filling balloon with air, take off, flight and landing took about 3 hours! Every part of our experience was perfect! I would definitely do it again!!!

We went on a flight with Rainbow Ryders to celebrate a milestone birthday. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience with amazing views of Albuquerque and the surrounding mountains. I am so so glad we took this trip! Greg, our Pilot, was absolutely fantastic, personable, and knowledgeable. On an experience that could be terrifying, he made us feel safe, curious, and helped us enjoy every step knowing we were in good hands. Nicole and Landen, our flight team, were knowledgeable, experienced, and fun to be around! Set-up and breakdown was so quick and professional and they were welcoming and helpful each step of the way (even suggesting places we should visit in Albuquerque during our stay). I wasn't expecting to be fascinated with the set-up and landing process but its all so interesting and they are happy to explain how everything works. It is clear they all love what they do and that made it such a wonderful time for us to be with them. We had a marvelous experience and the trip is one to remember. I 100% know that our pilot and flight team were part of what made it such a great once-in-a-lifetime bucket list item! If you're considering a hot air balloon ride - do it! Go with Rainbow Ryders! :)

The experience was fantastic, from when we arrived and were welcomed and instructions given on how to get started was a good feeling. The views were breath taking - can only explain it by doing it. The Pilot was very experienced and confidant which really put my wife and I at ease. We never felt uncomfortable throughout the Balloon ride and the Pilot was good at communicating with the passengers and keeping us informed and answering our questions. It helps that we had a really good mixed group of 11 passengers on the balloon, talking to each other and helping with pictures. The crew was also professional & dedicated to the passengers and to the ballon seeing us off and then when we landed and finally were able to unload the Balloon

It was the most amazing experience! Anthony Lard was our pilot and was super nice, knowledgeable and let us know everything we need to expect! And our flight crew on ground Bobby and Nick were awesome to they got balloon up and down super fast! If this isn’t on your bucket list it needs to be and these guys are definitely who I recommend doing it with!

They offered us an amazing experience! The staff and out pilot ( thanks Brad) were helpful, informative and with attention to safety. The flight was smooth and great fun and two members of our party were asked to assist with the preparation of the balloon which made it unforgettable. Getting in and out of the balloon basket needs some effort but no need to be fit and they help a lot. The drinks at the end of the ride with stories about the history of ballooning was a nice touch.

5 Stars – Incredible Experience with a Great Pilot I went on a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders and it was hands-down one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had. Everything was organized and professional from the moment we arrived. Our pilot, Greg, was excellent—skilled, confident, and clearly experienced. He handled the entire flight with ease, and the ride itself was incredibly smooth and enjoyable. You could tell we were in good hands the whole time. The views were absolutely stunning, and being up there, floating so peacefully, was something I won’t forget anytime soon. At the end of the flight, we wrapped things up with a champagne toast—a nice tradition that added a fun touch to an already great morning. If you're considering a balloon ride in Albuquerque, I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders. Big thanks to Greg and the team for making it such a fantastic experience.

Had an amazing time on our flight with Rainbow Ryders. Our pilot was Alfred, and this guy knows exactly what he’s doing. All pilots have FAA certification which just makes you feel safer knowing they are experts. Alfred was also just really funny and personable, and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. He explained what he was doing and why, which helped us learn more about how hot air ballooning works. It was a great view and totally worth it.

5 Stars – Unforgettable Balloon Ride Over Albuquerque! Rainbow Ryders gave us an absolutely incredible experience in Albuquerque, New Mexico! From the moment we arrived on site, the energy was high, the team was welcoming, and everything was so well-organized. Watching the balloon inflate as the sun rose over the desert was magical—but floating peacefully above the Sandias and seeing the city wake up from the sky? That was something special. Our pilot was fantastic—super experienced and kept us feeling safe, informed, and entertained the whole way through. The post-flight toast was the perfect way to wrap up a memory we’ll never forget. If you’re in Albuquerque and thinking about checking this off your bucket list, Rainbow Ryders is the only way to go. 100% recommend.

Easy!! Beautiful! A Must!!!! The ease of communication,cleanliness of facilities, friendliness of staff, and safety of staff made this experience the highlight of our trip to New Mexico!

Anthony I think his name was.,the whole team did an outstanding job.,also they're very professional So they know what they're doing! So saying that! I'd definitely recommend everyone to there and have an amazing experience like we did so thank you so very to the team

I had an absolutely amazing experience with Rainbow Ryders! This has been on my bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. They have it all down to an art form. It was smooth in every way. Knowledgeable and experienced pilots and crew. The sky was filled with colorful balloons over the city of Albuquerque. I cannot more highly recommend this experience.

As a New Mexican it felt like finally getting my right of passage to fly in a Hot Air Balloon and it was beyond the hype. The pilots were so nice and the ride was so beautiful! I recommend this place and this experience to anyone and everyone!

It an amazing experience! I highly recommend! Our pilot, Alfred, was extremely knowledgeable and super funny! Excellent way to spend a morning!

Life is grand! It was a beautiful day for a Balloon ride and Rainbow Ryder knows how to create a perfect experience for their passengers. Our pilot, Alfred, and his crew Nicky & Frank were great. Every step of the way was planned and they were professional. The ride was serene. Flying over the Rio Grand was beautiful. Alfred entertained us and educated us about flying while in flight. Our landing was great. And they even brought champagne to celebrate checking off another goal from our bucket list.

This company has great communication. They were very easy to find and in their communication they explained parking. When I arrived Troy checked me in and let me know that I'd be riding in his balloon. Boy did I hit the jackpot more on that later though. He sent me to an iPad to fill out a waiver, which was very quick and easy. Then after that he directed me to a waiting area which had plenty of seating for everyone who was flying that morning. They had information on each table, explaining what to expect during the flight which I absolutely appreciated, especially when it comes to what to expect during the landing . They were very prompt and right at 6 o'clock got things going. Troy's van was one of the first ones out. They drove us to the launch field and it was great seeing all of the balloons inflating together. It was pretty magical. There were about 15+ balloons in the air during our flight. Troy is a veteran pilot of approx 45 years. He holds records in ballooning. I was anxious coming into this, but Troy was so confident and skilled he immediately put me at ease. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had and I'd highly recommend Flying with this group if you're considering a hot air balloon ride also shout out to the Chase crew. They were amazing and on the ground in the location where we were estimated to land to stabilize us prior to us landing. Everyone did an amazing job. Once the flight was over, they provided us with beverages. They were super fast, packing up the balloon and had us back on our way to the offices in a timely manner. Troy checked us all out real quickly and sent us on our way with some snacks, absolutely brilliant way to start a morning.

I cannot say enough good things about rainbow Ryder's! It was my first time going on a hot air balloon and I was fairly nervous. That being said, it's clear they know what they are doing here. Our call time was 530 AM for the sunrise ride! Our balloon fit 12 people so get ready to get cozy. It was a 45 ish minute flight and we got to see all parts of Albuquerque. The experience was truly once in a lifetime!

Professional, well-organized experience. Bucket list is company slogan. Lift off was so smooth & gentle - I was enthralled & mesmerized by Albuquerque's stunning beauty. I would do this again!

These folks are top notch. If you have ever wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, this is your place. Full on professionals that give you the trip of a lifetime. Beautiful views for miles and they make sure everyone has the best experience.

Absolutely amazing and pleasant experience! We were so excited to fly in a hot air balloon, which was the first thing I wanted to do when we got to Albuquerque. We booked a sunrise ride with mimosas. Everyone was very helpful, and the waiver link was easy to sign. We were excited in the waiting room, looking around to see which group we would join. They started calling out the group numbers, and everyone was so excited to board the transportation. When everyone was gone, only the three of us were left, wondering if we had missed the call-out. It turned out we were the "VIP" group because another group canceled at the last minute. YEAH! We were very lucky to have Steve and Jerry as our flight crew team. Steve was very helpful, explaining all the rules and sharing his experience. The most enjoyable part was when Steve taught us how hot air balloon flights work. When we were up in the air, he gave us an introduction to the landscape and buildings. We felt safe and had a pleasant time. It was the most amazing experience, and I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders.

Easy check in. All questions answered. Bit of a wait at the departure area for the right winds. Alfred was our pilot and he was terrific, explained everything!! Got to splash and dash on the Rio Grande, spent a little over an hour in the air. Landing these things is surely an art! Go, enjoy! Easy to get in and out of the basket so don't use that as an excuse.

Had an amazing, smooth ride with Alfred. Pointed out landmarks and talked about his love of flying

Our pilot was Alfred and he was amazing! talked through the ride to show us all the landmarks and cool places around , was very knowledgeable and made some jokes along the way. This was my first hot air balloon ride and I would definetly go again ! Views are amazing the ride is long enough to take it all in.

Amazing experience! Our pilot Kris was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He made us laugh many times and gave some great insight into his career and passion for hot air ballooning. I highly recommend flying with Rainbow Ryders. Everyone was extremely friendly from the time we arrived to the time we left. The ground crew were excellent and very helpful. If you are in Albuquerque you HAVE to schedule a flight and if you get Kris you will be lucky!

I posted this earlier but under the wrong categor. oops I signed up for a balloon ride for me and my sister on 26 November in Albuquerque and highly recommend you doing so. The entire experience was simply fantastic. The early morning weather cooperated, and the crew handling our ride did so in an outstanding fashion. From the check in to the celebratory champagne toasts - it was smooth and seamless. They drove us from the main office to the launch site and watching 8 crews inflate and manage our take off was brilliant. All were courteous and friendly offering to take pictures and assisting us into the basket so as to make less awkward the climb in. Once airborne, Anthony Lard, our pilot keep us entertained and informed as we passed over various landmarks. if you need to feel uplifted or just need to get away for awhile, I highly recommend you check out the company and ask for Anthony Lard as your pilot.

So fun, amazing views. The crew was great, very friendly professional. Our pilot, Mike Heffron, gave us a very soft landing! I def recommend!

Obviously can be intimidating to choose the right company to take you up into the air. After reading all the positive reviews I went with this company. Our tour guy was Anthony and he was great. I liked the route he took us on vs the other guys. Everything felt safe and in control. We went in June. It was a bit chilly in the morning but I was absolutely sweating once in the basket. You're so close to the flame and perhaps close to others so I was sweating. I'm a warm person but still. Not sure how long we were in the air but it was definitely a good amount of time. From start to finish it was about 3.5 hours. Place was easy to find and plenty of parking. Would def go with them again

This is a super cool activity you definitely should do if you're in town! awesome views, not scary at all if you're worried.

What a wonderful, unique, bucket list experience to be doing in ABQ! I've always wanted to try a balloon ride and finally was able to make it for a winter sunrise balloon flight one morning while my friend from out of town came for a visit. It was a frigid morning, but something that I will remember long in my life for sure. The morning flight was a serene flight run by Alfred. It really allowed you enough time to enjoy the experience of seeing how a balloon is set/lit up and riding a balloon to really get a wonderful peace of mind view of the town. I highly recommend the trip and the experience riding a balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders was so memorable. Glad I chose them and also had a great time with an experienced balloon pilot sharing his knowledge and experience flying a balloon as our guide!

Wow what a fun time. We had Anthony as our pilot and his passion is amazing. He LOVES being a pilot and enjoyed telling us about competition flying, celebrities that have flown and the area. Some things to know: 1) Arrive 15-20 mins early to sign waivers. With it being a sunrise try to schedule a Lyft ahead of time. 2) Dress in layers and sunglasses. It warms up with the fire pumping by the pilot as you travel. 3) Kids: can fly 5 years old and above. The pilot recommended it to be something the kid wants to do. 4) No airsickness! I was very nervous about this but due to the clear conditions they fly in the ride was super smooth. I often get plane and boat sickness and this was amazing to not have. While the flying time is about 1 hour, you will have another 2ish hours as they drive to the site, set up, and then pack up and celebrate with a drink. We left the shop at 9am.

Wow. What an experience! My bf and I are road tripping from California to North Carolina and decided to stop in New Mexico. After a quick search, he decided to book us a hot air balloon ride. IT WAS PHENOMENAL. We did the morning ride and surprisingly it wasn't that cold! But we were layered appropriately as well. Alfred was our guide/captain for the day and he was great! We had an amazing group to see amazing views of Albuquerque with! And then there were snacks and mimosas after. MY KIND OF EXPERIENCE. Highlyyyyy recommend!

Amazing experience. Definitely a bucket list item and if you get the chance you should definitely do it. Only drawback was our pilot Troy was rude to the guests. At the beginning he said if we had any questions to feel free to ask but then the very nice Asian couple ( English was not their first language) asked a question he rolled his eyes and said he had already told us that. They asked multiple questions and only got rude responses in return. This also happened to us when we dared to ask something. We were very disappointed in his attitude towards us the customers. And I must say it was very hard to hear when the propane was making a flame ( loud whooshing noise) so that may have been part of the problem. My advice if you're going is to check and see who your pilot is and if it's him ask for someone else.

OMG !!! Sooooo much fun .. wonderful and knowledgeable staff ... the sunrise balloon ride exceeded my expectations.. especially since I'm afraid of heights ..... I would totally do this again

Absolutely loved this experience. We have been taking a road trip across 8 states for my daughter's early birthday present and it's both of our favorite experience this whole trip. I am absolutely terrified of heights and was very hesitant to do this but since my daughter wanted to, we went ahead and did it. Our pilots today were Captain Morghan and Anthony and they were amazing and very knowledgeable plus they answered my daughter's 21 questions and helped me feel at ease on the flight. For those who are afraid of heights like I am, the only part I was anxious on was the ascent but after that, the ride is very smooth and you don't even realize how high up you are. Depending on the time of year you go, the layers recommended may not be necessary, but take it as you want. We took our jackets off soon after we finished the ascent because it got HOT under that flame and the day was already heating up even at the 6am departure time. At the end of the flight, you get to learn a bit of history behind hot air balloon riding and finish it off with a toast for finishing the flight along with a certificate, super cool all around. Thank you Rainbow Ryders! This is an experience neither of us will forget!

These guys are #1 rating on Yelp in terms of stars and reviews and just $10 more than #2. They are with it! Anthony was our pilot, very informative and professional. All the staff were great. Plenty of respect for C19 but not over the top. Very interested in safety of the flight and making it fun for the passengers. Mimosas generous the purring at the end of the flight but I waited a few days to write this review to not be biased by that alone.

Sanjay Gupta and his amazing wife took my daughter Lori and I on a ride of our lived. Amazing couple, smart and fun. What a perfect trip. Thank you both so much. I would recommend this company and pilot to anyone.

What an amazing flight! Alfred was great. He flew us right over the petroglyphs, and landed perfectly. Professional, welcoming, and skilled. I highly recommend you go for a ride And request him!

I can't say enough positive things about Rainbow Ryders. They made our first experience at the Balloon Fiesta incredible. They were easy to book with and easy to find at check in. Check in was simple, quick and smooth. Our pilot Mitch was awesome! Great at was he does... you can tell he loves what he really loves it. He paid close attention to detail and made sure we were aware of our passenger duties. He has a great sense of humor and kept us involved once we landed. We'd love to do a ride with Rainbow Ryders again in the future and would love the added bonus of having Mitch as our pilot.

Doing a hot air balloon ride was on my bucket list so this was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved it, other than having to be there at 530am. It was so fun. You meet at their office then take a van ride to their takeout location based on the wind. We drove for about 15 minute to get to the spot for the day. Then we watched the crew get everything ready to go. Its quite a process and hard work for the crew but they do a great job. The basket lays on its side at first with the balloon attached to it. Then they blow air into the balloon to fill it up. Then when its full enough, they right the basket and the balloon is all blown up above it. You climb into the basket. I believe there were 12 of us, besides the driver. We went up, up and away. Going over the river and surrounding neighborhoods. It was so beautiful. We went up and down with the wind, eventually landing on the field where the Balloon Fiesta happens. Overall a wonderful experience.

A marvelous experience. First, be prepared for an early morning. We arrived at the facility at 5:45 a.m. to check in , sign waivers and meet our pilot. Ten of us piled into a van with our pilot to the a possible launching site. They first send up a test balloon. It is a regular balloon to observe the wind patterns. The first test balloon did not meet the standards, so we drove to another place. After another test balloon was let fry, it was determined this was a good location. The balloon is laid out and inflated. The basket is not as big as I thought and there is no graceful way to get in our or out. The balloon is lifted into the air by a large fire heating the balloon. It was a smooth take off. We were in the air for about an hour and our pilot, Anthony was so knowledgeable. He pointed out things to see. The sunrise was breathtaking. The landing was fun and after we celebrated our ride with mimosas and a story about the history of hot air balloons. The entire process is over 2.5 hours, but time well spent.

Great experience! Check-in is at 6:15 AM. You sign a liability waiver and use the restroom for the last time. (I recommend not drinking much fluids because there's no restrooms after that point!). They drive you to the take-off spot and set up the balloon. Try to book on a clear day because I went on a partly cloudy day and they delayed the flight until the clouds broke up, as rain clouds create additional wind. Then you will need to climb over the side into the basket. The staff will take photos of you in the basket. My group was 11 people, plus the balloon operator, Alfred. The balloon operator will use fire to heat the balloon and raise it up into the sky. You go up slowly. We got up to 4500 feet above ground. The views are amazing! The experience is peaceful and still, as the balloon moves slowly and smoothly. You are basically gliding through the sky! Great time to take photos. Alfred checked several times to see how we were doing. I figured it'd be cold being way up high but I ended up taking off my sweatshirt and I saw others doing the same because you are directly under the fire that heats the balloon so you feel heat. Then we landed in a grassy area, a very smooth landing. Alfred gave us Rio Grande Sunrise cocktails (orange juice, cranberry juice, champagne) and drove us back to where we started where they had pastries. Great experience and I would do it again! P.S. I'm afraid of heights. I was very scared when we were really high but when we came down a bit, it was much better.

Alfred was a great pilot. Very knowledgeable and personable. Had a great time!!! I am not great with heights, but didn't even realize we were on the way up as he kept us all engaged.

Damian (the pilot) Michael and Tye (chasing crew) together they were awesome and gave us the most memorable experience and best sunrise ever. Damian is extremely talented pilot, knowledgeable of the area and funny as heck. Would recommend this company to anyone looking to book hot air balloon flight.

Bucket List.... Check! So worth every penny to take this trip over Albuquerque as the sum comes up over the mountains. Amazing unforgettable views! Everything went smoothly from booking the flight, to check in and the actual flight. Maybe the only hiccup (which was actually funny) was as we were trying to land in a small park the wind changed at the last minute and we ended up landing on a street in the suburb neighborhood! I honestly wasn't sure if I'd have a problem with standing in a basket looking down because of the heights. But except for the first minute of flight it was really not a problem. The ride is very calm and comfortable and the heights didn't bother me at all. Our pilot was friendly and interesting and did a good job making the whole experience a lot of fun. Even got champagne at the end of the flight! I think the toughest part of the whole trip was getting into and out of the bucket! You need to do this if you can!

Ten star experience in a world of five star ratings! Gliding at 23 mph two miles above the Rio Grande offers 45 minutes of serenity, gorgeous views and encourages your sense of wonder and exploration. After the obligatory moment of "oh snap! What have I done?!" any feelings of anxiety or thoughts of "what if" pass you by while ascending into the skies at sunrise beneath a rainbow balloon and the comforting warmth of its flames. I'm inspired y'all! Today was FUN on level ten! **Insider tips: wear your yoga clothes because you have to climb into and out of the basket. Also, we traveled during July and the weather was unstoppably perfect however after traveling 13 miles (as the balloon flies) we landed pretty remotely and a can of bug spray would have been ideal! Wear sunscreen! Take mimosas! **Bonus tip! Ask to fly with Kris Brandon as your pilot. He's a fourth gen balloon operator, knowledgeable about the ballooning industry and local ABQ geography, funny and charismatic. Our balloon flew the highest, fastest, and farthest - and his ground crew Adam & Landon are equally as professional and fantastic!

Best thing I've ever done in New Mexico it was so beautiful and our pilot Alfred was amazing he really knows what he's doing. I would 100% do it again.

We had such an awesome flight! The basket was loaded appropriately, we did not feel crowded at all. The crew was super efficient and excellent hosts. We loved that there were many balloons launched at the same time, we got to enjoy our flight and with the other balloons as a part of our scenery. Anthony was our captain, we felt safe, and he kept the mood light, sharing fun facts about the scenery during but also letting us enjoy the quiet magic of balloon flight. The landing was ridiculously soft! We enjoyed the champagne toast and story of the history of ballooning while the Shamelle loaded up our balloon so fast it blew our minds. We truly enjoyed checking this adventure off our "bucket list"

Anthony, our pilot, made this adventure absolutely EPIC! Our family loved this ride. The entire process, from the online reservation, the follow-up check-in, and the day-of registration, was extremely smooth. The entire crew handled every detail with professionalism, and any nerves from our kids were calmed as my husband was allowed to assist in the process of inflating the balloon. The ride lasted somewhere around an hour, though I wish we could've floated all day! We had a perfect sunrise to see, and we loved soaring above the city. Anthony welcomed and answered every question we had. Our landing was so smooth as we returned to ground on a golf course. The flight finished with a champagne toast, which was the perfect ending to an amazing experience. Bravo to Rainbow Ryder's for making this such a great trip, and Anthony is truly the best! Highly recommend this company if you're looking to tackle a bucket list item!

Great experience. Alfred, Frank, and Mo were our team. Alfred seems to be one of the pros here, so it was awesome to have him as our pilot. We took a quick dip into the water which was pretty cool. Very peaceful and exciting way to start the morning. At the end we had mimosas. (: Good luck to Frank to getting his pilot's license!

Amazing!! We did the sunrise ride and met up at 5:15 am and left around 5:30 am headed towards the site. We get to see them inflate the balloon which was cool. Take off was smooth and so was the ride. Very peaceful. It's beautiful to see all the balloons in the sky. Very picturesque. Our pilot was Alfred. A great team overall.

What an amazing experience. Damian was our pilot and we loved him. So knowledgeable! Highly recommend this to anyone visiting!

Mike Heffron was absolutely amazing on the hot air balloon! He made the experience much more fun with his jokes and laughter! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to ride a balloon! The landing was a little rough, but that doesn't have any correlation with the business ! Thank you so much for an amazing hot air balloon experience!!

We had a fabulous morning. The staff is professional, informative (both prior to your arrival and once you arrive) they are friendly and genuinely nice people. Our flight was spectacular. The flight crew gets you involved in the inflation of the balloon/envelope/and the flight itself is peaceful and otherworldly. Our pilot was Elijah and he was amazing (also the only pilot we had)

Alfred, Matt, and KB were amazing. The trip was so smooth and the expertise was exceptional. Thank you for an amazing trip!!

Bucket list experience! Highly recommend! Beautiful views, smooth ride you feel like your floating.

I was just in Albuquerque for girls' weekend and this was on our itinerary. I was terrified and still debating backing out right up until we got into the van. Boy, I'm glad I didn't do that. Our captain, Kris, made me feel comfortable from the minute we got into the van to head to our launch site. He was really entertaining and experienced. The ride was smooth and just incredibly beautiful. Don't let your trepidation keep you from doing it. I would do this again!

We had a blast on our Rainbow Ryders hot air balloon ride. Our pilot was Alfred, and he was responsive to our requests during the ride ("can we go down close to the river?"), fun and informative. All of the staff were friendly. Our only complaint was that No one seems to answer the phone. I would DEFINITELY recommend the experience and I would use them again.

I had an amazing trip over the Rio Grande leaving from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta at sunrise. Alfred S. was our pilot and he was fun, informative, and professional. The two guys on his team were great. (Sorry, i dont remember their names). Our flight was 10/12/2024. The whole experience was phenomenal from reservations, checking in, lining up, and the ride itself. They have every detail taken care of. We had three birthday girls on our flight and Alfred let us sing happy birthday. It was a fun group and I wont hesitate to go through Rainbow Ryders again.