Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Float over the Rio Grande Valley during a sunrise hot-air balloon flight from Albuquerque, home of the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world. As the sun comes up over the Sandia Mountains, admire the dramatic reds and oranges that fill the sky, and learn about the features of the New Mexico landscape from your expert pilot. Upon landing, enjoy a celebratory toast and light refreshments.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 5 years
Not recommended for participants with knee problems
Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
Flights can only be operated with safe winds, clear sky and no rain. In case of unsuitable weather conditions, you will be provided the option to take the tour on an alternative date or be refunded in full.
Unable to fly anyone who is pregnant
This is a shared basket flight, there will be anywhere from 10-16 total passengers in each basket
Passengers 300lbs+ must purchase an additional space to ensure safety, comfort, and proper weight distribution during flight
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon
Rise early to begin your hot-air balloon experience. Stop into the office for check-in, then ride to the balloon launch site (which varies day-to-day depending on weather). Your pilot begins the process of inflating the balloon when you arrive. You can even help out the crew during the inflation process for a more hands-on experience. As you float high above the ground, enjoy incredible birds-eye views of the Rio Grande Valley. Your pilot determines the route for the day depending on the wind’s direction. You may fly over the city of Albuquerque and even dip low enough to wave at people or skim the Rio Grande River. Throughout your flight, your pilot shares informative commentary about the landscape beneath you. After approximately one hour in the air, your pilot lands the balloon and the ground crew comes to meet you. Celebrate your flight with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a commemorative flight certificate before returning to the original starting point.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Light snacks after the flight
Scenic hot air balloon flight
Champagne toast
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Options
2021 Sunrise Experience
Premier Ride Operator: Rainbow Ryders, Inc. is the premier and largest hot air balloon business serving the Southwest since 1983! Duration: 1 hour: Your flight will be about 45 minutes - 1 hour (depending on Mother Nature), with the entire experience lasting 3 hours. Celebratory Toast included Rio Grande Valley views
6am Departure
Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride - 6am Meeting time
6:45am Departure
Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride - 6:45am Meeting time
300lbs+ (Extra Space Policy)
Extra Space Policy: Passengers 300lbs+ must purchase an additional space to ensure safety, comfort, and proper weight distribution during flight Premier Ride Operator: Rainbow Ryders, Inc. is the premier and largest hot air balloon business serving the Southwest since 1983. Duration: 1 hour: Your flight will be about 45 minutes - 1 hour (depending on Mother Nature), with the entire experience lasting about 3 hours. Celebratory Toast included Rio Grande Valley views
6:15 am Departure
Duration: 3 hours: Flight itself is roughly 45 minutes to an hour. The whole experience is 3 hours. Post-Flight Celebration: Celebratory toast and a light continental breakfast.
Sunrise Experience
Premier Ride Operator: Rainbow Ryders, Inc. is the premier and largest hot air balloon business serving the Southwest since 1983. Duration: 1 hour: Your flight will be about 45 minutes - 1 hour (depending on Mother Nature), with the entire experience lasting 3 hours. Celebratory Toast included Rio Grande Valley views
7am Departure
Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride - 7am Meeting time
Reviews
1,358 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing
kristinagV3782NK,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing experience! The staff were friendly, the flight was beautiful and the landing was smooth!
10 star experience
samantharJ5027IX,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Would highly recommend this tour with Rainbow riders. It was very organized from the moment we checked in. We had a good weather day so didn’t have to deal with rescheduling. Our pilot was Troy, a very experienced pilot with many accolades. Worth the money for a once in a lifetime experience.
A great experience!
ChrisnShannon,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful experience! The ticket purchase, check-in on-line and then at the location were all seamless and easy. Our Pilot, Alfred, was knowledgeable and pleasant guiding our experience with skill. The tour length could always be longer because once you are up float in the air you really dont want to come back down. Or at least I didn't. The only thing I had hoped for was more variation in the sights. To be able to go further and see more, but the winds were fairly calm so that may not have been possible. The overall experience was excellent and strongly recommended.
Experience it if you can
JuliaRau228,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a fantastic experience. Very beautiful, exciting, and educational. Our pilot, Alfred, was superb. We highly recommend.
Must experience!!!
tracybZ9567GP,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic adventure with beautiful views!!!
Incredible experience!
Jennifer V,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an incredible experience! It's amazingly calm up in the sky, and Steven was a fantastic guide!!
Great state and great fun
343matthewc,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family booked this because it felt like an iconic activity in New Mexico and going on the sunrise flight fit perfectly into our schedule. It was the last activity we planned for our week in the state but definitely the top experience. We met some friendly folks, traveling just like us, and we even got to help inflate the balloon. Try it! Rainbow Ryders were very open to volunteers taking part. Troy is a great pilot and the landing was super smooth. Great state and great fun!
Quick, fast, professional
Julie M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I booked a hot air ballon ride which got canceled due to wind. Refunded came through quickly without any issues
Must do in New Mexico
841suep,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Worth getting up at 330 in the morning to get there. If I was going to travel to New Mexico I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride in Albuquerque. So glad we went.
✅ Bucket List on Route 66
Seaside28718059988,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow!! This was a bucket list trip on our journey through Route 66 (Chicago to Santa Monica Pier) The sunrise and views over Albuquerque were beautiful at 4000 feet. Troy is outstanding and knowledgeable on the area and piloting. A great trip that I would definitely do again. Love the touch of the champagne toast at the end.
From US$189.00
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Operated by Rainbow Ryders