Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.

First-time balloon ride and it couldn’t have been better! Mike Heff at Rainbow Ryders didn’t disappoint. He piloted us through scenic Albuquerque for a truly memorable flight. The fall colors were breathtaking, and he made sure everyone had a great view by rotating the balloon. Mike shared fascinating insights along the way, and his crew was top-notch. Everyone says their pilot is the best—but I think ours really was! Book your flight today; you’ll make memories that last a lifetime. We had the privilege of two veterans as guest on our flight. It was a pleasure speaking with them and so moving that my husband and I bought one of them their shirt to say thank you for your service. We built incredible memories that day. Thank you Rainbow Ryders. I was also moved by the flag on your wall “We’ve got your back, may your legacy rise with each day Scott Appleman 1958-2024”. His legacy is large…keep making him proud.

My mom has terminal cancer and going on a hot air balloon was on her bucket list. I knew ABQ was famous for hot air balloons so I looked at booking a trip out there. I tried to book a private tour online but got an error message so I called the office. A spoke to a wonderful woman who helped me book a private tour. She explained the booking process - nominal deposit fee but full payment upon completion of the ride and how to confirm your ride the day prior to flight. I shared with my mom that we were going to go on a big adventure and I saw her eyes light up with happiness and excitement, something that had been rare lately due to her condition. We made the journey to ABQ (two airports and a full travel day) and got up early for our ride. We signed our waiver and met our pilot, Greg Morrison, who talked us through what to expect. He even got us a couple of waters while we waiting to drive to the launch site. On the first attempt, it was so windy. In fact, too windy to safely be in a balloon. He told us this was the hardest part of his job - having to cancel a flight. My mom started crying. We were expected to leave the next day and the winds were supposed to be strong all day. We switched our flights and Greg called the office on our drive back to get us rebooked for the next day. He had already told us so much about the balloon, what we might see, and even credentials (I asked!). He’s a retired F-18 Marine pilot and truly has a passion for aviation and adventure. He is also an extremely loving husband, caretaker son to his elderly mother and very proud father to his two daughters. Being around him felt safe and you could tell he was genuinely a good guy. Someone I’d trust taking my mom and I up in a hot air balloon. We asked if he would be willing to be our pilot again for the next attempt the following day… and, to our delight, he was! He indulged all our questions about ballooning on the way to the launch site, he walked us through the setup and even took some really amazing photos for us! I was worried about getting into the basket and he brought a step stool and helped me and my mom in. We had a safety briefing then we were off! I am terrified of heights but I’ll do anything for my mom so as we started to ascend, I got really scared. Greg picked up on this and kindly tried to distract me with cool facts about the area we were in. He pointed out volcanoes, mountains, birds (man, he loves those sandhill cranes!), and then he dipped down so we were soooo close to the Rio Grande that it felt like we were floating over it! Then we were up, up and away above the tree tops and floating like a cloud. We saw a gorgeous sunrise. My mom was so happy, albeit a bit chilly since it was the end of January - I just didn’t want to risk waiting for warmer weather because we don’t know how much time she has. We took photos. We learned a lot. And when it came time to land, he did a spectacular job with the landing! We ended up in a parking lot of an elementary school and it was a very smooth landing. Frankie was our chase crew came to us within a few short minutes. He helped us out of the basket and Greg prepared a champagne toast for us! There’s a really cool story behind the champagne toast that Greg shared. He’s full of information and enthusiastic about sharing it with people. It wasn’t just the hot air balloon ride, it was the care that Greg and Frankie took to make sure we had a safe and enjoyable experience. It wasn’t just another leisure ride. It was about making sure my mom felt alive, joy, happiness and created the most perfect memory for us. Greg wasn’t just our pilot - he was our memory maker. This is something I’ll never forget and I cannot thank Greg, Frankie and Rainbow Ryders enough for the ride of a lifetime. If you are considering ballooning, want a special experience, love to learn, or just want an unforgettable adventure, I HIGHLY recommend booking Rainbow Ryders and asking for Greg!

We did a sunrise balloon tour and loved it!! The air was smoother than we expected and the landing was perfect. Alfred was an all around excellent pilot! He was knowledgeable about his craft, and not only that, but also the history of ballooning. His passion was evident throughout the entire morning. We were so grateful for this opportunity and would do it again!!

Alfred is the most underrated guy ever. Such a vibe and knows how to make a crowd smile and laugh. Part of my group has a fear of heights and he made everyone feel very comfortable and safe. Thank you for the mimosas and the beautiful experience Alfred!

New Mexico but EXTRA! Had booked via phone—-it was easy. I had questions I can’t ask online since we booked the day before. You pay after the event which was so great. Check in was an hour before the event. It was very organized! The gathering rooms, the colored registration label cards with QR codes to sign waiver. Lucky we got to fly with the best And OG Alfred. Our group had the biggest hot air balloon and was the balloon depicting the culture of NM. Their team was incredible. Shuttle to the site for the take off and we had a toast after—-Alfred’s team even had special toast and snacks for the whole group. Incredible experience overall! More than a bucket list should I Say!

Had a great time there this morning, our pilot Anthony was great and was able to share with us some of the history of hot air balloons (as well as some puns as well). The flight crew for the day were also great and were happy to help when needed and led to an all around great experience! I was visiting for the holidays so this was a great surprise that got added into my holiday trip and I will definitely have to go again when I visit family in the future!

This is our 2nd flight with Rainbow Ryders and it did not disappoint. We had family in town, and it was on their bucket list, so we joined them. Making reservations was easy and the price for the four of us was reasonable and discounted for a mid-week autumn morning flight. We were cared for from start to finish by an engaging and friendly office staff, ground crew and pilot. It made for a lighthearted and fun time. The baskets are large and even though it was a full flight (12), it wasn't crowded. We had plenty of room, were very comfortable and felt totally safe. The flight itself was a long drift along the river and further in towards the city than we normally see ballons go making for a longer flight than we had anticipated. A great experience all around.

We had such a fantastic time! At the office, it felt a little standoffish (just sitting around or filling out paperwork) as well as on the ride to the launch location (minimal conversation). But when we got to the launch site, it was like a well- oiled machine. The crew got to work, unpacking the balloon and setting it up. Then once in the basket, it was magical. Our pilot was awesome, expertly guiding us, showing everyone in the basket the best vantage points, places of interest and answering any and all questions. Our pilot even pointed out cool photos with the shadow of our balloon. The ride was incredibly smooth. It was a lovely time. If I were to do it again in the same place, I'd definitely do it with Rainbow Ryders but maybe I'd opt for a private basket.

we had. an amazing adventure on our first balloon experience Although the day began in the wee hours of the morning we were one of many! as luck would have it we were the first up after the dawn patrol with the thousands of people cheering we felt like celebrities So beautiful up there! our pilot was amazing and definitely put us at ease The videos are too large but have a couple pics that don't do it justice

Rainbow Ryders took 22 of my family members up in two balloons. An experience they will never forget. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Most highly recommended.

If you think the Sandia Mountains look good bathed in that pink evening glow, just wait until you see them from a hot air balloon. Up there, they don't just glow--they practically blush. We flew with Rainbow Ryders (because, honestly, was there any other option?), and our pilot Greg, along with Rich and Nicole, made the whole thing feel like a floating party with friends you haven't met yet. They turned a balloon ride into a full-on adventure, with everyone getting in on the action. I can't wait to drag more friends and family up into the sky--Albuquerque looks even better when you're thousands of feet above your worries.

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.

Cancelled flight and poor management on getting clients back onto future rides. The first time first serve and wait in line as early as 1:30am by the gate is brutal and inhuman. "The system" is paper based and not keep up with current technology. Monopoly S the only hot air ballon rides operator in the festival gives Rainbow no incentive to improve. This should open up to more hot air ballon operators to create healthy competition and much better experiences for consumers. We paid lots of money to fly to attend the event along with hotel expenses.

Outstanding experience. These folks have it together, from check-in to loading, flying and touchdown. We were on board with a total of 11 folks. Boarded the van to the takeoff point, a large open area about 5 minute drive from the Ryders office. All balloons going up get deployed in the field, we're given some basic safety and landing prep instruction and up, up away. The ascent is smooth, we go a couple hundred feet up, the get a wet foot in the very shallow Rio Grande river. Then the real ascent, up to just shy of 3000 feet. The sensation is quite calm, you are not being propelled by prop or jet, you are with the wind. Its quiet and as you cruise with the wind, you hear the yard hounds from the homes below jankled by the burners of the colorful orbiting globes. The winds today tool us southeasternly at first, but then changed to the west. Our approach to land was extended as some low level winds were variable. Our pilot, Anthony picked a more open space to put 'er down. As we approached to land we were 10-15 feet over the rooftops finally settling in a sandy sage brush open field. With everyone braced as instructed we rolled the basket left on touchdown (like a slow motion roll, btw). The chase crew was johnny on the spot and everyone exited the basket without problem. A post-flight toast and the crew packed up the deflated balloon for the ride back to HQ. This was a lifetime experience. Great job Rainbow Ryders, great choreography and flight experience.

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

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!

We had an amazing hot air balloon ride with Brad as our pilot. Everything from start to finish was amazing. Well worth the money to check this off our bucket list.

Awesome birthday ride with Rainbow Ryders. Kyle and his crew were wonderful. We seemed to be flying higher than all the other balloons. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So glad I was able to experience with my friends.

The balloon ride itself was good. But it wasn't even done by Rainbow Ryders. It was someone they subcontracted during the Balloon festival. That part was great. The problem was the companies terrible service when the scheduled day was canceled for weather. They knew before the gates opened that they were cancelled for the day, but they don't communicate that to you, so you have to fight traffic, pay for parking and pay for tickets to get in just to find out you are canceled for the day. They say they will reschedule you if this happens, but that is not true. They make you show up each day for a first come, first served standby line. You have to pay for parking and buy tickets to the event even if you don't get to ride that day, just to have to come back and pay again for another chance. They also accept other walk-ups who haven't already paid and been waiting for days to get a ride. They also accept people who manage to cheat or bribe their way in before the gates are opened...taking available spots away from those who are honest. Unfortunately these folks have a monopoly at the festival, otherwise I would recommend any other company than this one.

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!

A lot of people say this is a bucket list thing to do, but I think people should do this at any point in their life, and more than once. It was a wonderful time. Our Rainbow Ryders team (with pilot Jon Thompson) were so friendly and knowledgeable; they made you feel safe and comfortable. It was an enjoyable ride, great history and conversation. I will be recommending this experience and this company to all of my friends and family; it was a blast!

Amazing experience. Went very smoothly and pilot very knowledgeable and fun. Would highly recommend it.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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"

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.

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!

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.

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.