The Sonora Desert is at its best light at sunset. See the desert beauty from above with this sunset ride in a hot air balloon under the skilled guidance of your FAA certified pilot. Be treated to views of the desert plants and wildlife as day changes into night. Following the trip, land in the desert and celebrate your adventure with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

Your hot air balloon journey begins and ends at Deer Valley Airport
Upgrade your package to include transportation from your Phoenix hotel
Soar over the desert at heights of up to 5,000 feet (1,524 meters)
Enjoy a champagne reception following your sunset adventure

What's Included

Champagne
Snacks
Commemorative flight certificate
Hotel pickup and drop off (if option selected)

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off (if option not selected)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

702 W Deer Valley Rd
702 W Deer Valley Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027, USA

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not suitable for pregnant women
Not recommended for participants with broken bones, or who have had recent surgery
Passengers must be able to jump off the second step of a ladder onto the ground

Minimum age is 5 years
Actual flight time is approximately 1 hour
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

181 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 181 reviews

Beautiful ride but a but disorganized

bbrauer54, Feb 2023

It wasn't clear that we would ride in a van for 30 minutes looking for a spot to launch. Our crew had problems getting the balloon ready to inflate. We were the last ones off out of 12 or so balloons and therefore it was pitch black when we ate. Balloon ride was beautiful!

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for sharing about your time with us! There are times when the weather forecasts do not match the current conditions at a given launch site, and other launch sites must be evaluated for an enjoyable and safe launch of the hot air balloon. We appreciate the feedback, and will evaluate how we can better communicate this to our guests prior to flight, so they are most informed. We are happy the balloon ride was enjoyable after this delay, and so appreciate your feedback. We hope to see you up in the air another time!

Up Up and Away

Wendy_B, Feb 2023

Had a beautiful evening seeing the sunset over the desert. Ticked an item off our bucket list. Everyone had a great time

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for sharing about your time up, up and away with us! We are happy to hear everyone had a great time, and you now have a hot air balloon ride checked off of your bucket list. We appreciate you flying with us and hope to see you up in the air again soon!

Ballooning in AZ

Tonia_R, Jan 2023

Our driver Michael was amazing! So helpful, energetic and informative. Jonathan was a great pilot and kept us entertained and informed. Awesome experience !

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you for sharing about your time with us! We are happy Michael and Jonathan took great care of you and kept you entertained along the way. We hope to see you up in the air again soon!

Great adventure in the sky!!

Catherine_M, Nov 2022

I loved feeling safe in an adventure I had never done before. The staff was very confident and supportive. The actual experience was enjoyable and fun! The after trip party was great and we were then transported back to our hotel.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Hi Catherine, On behalf of our team at Hot Air Expeditions, thanks so much for this positive review. It means a lot to us!

Birthday Hot Air Balloon Ride

Sonia_H, Nov 2022

What a great experience!! The crew were great and everything about this little adventure was fabulous! A bucket list item checked!

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thank you so very much for flying with us, and for sharing about your hot air ballooning experience with others Sonia. We're so glad to hear you were able to cross an item off your bucket list with us! We hope to that you'll come fly with us soon!

No hot air balloon tour

Amanda_L, Nov 2022

We drove around for 2 hours and then it was too windy so we didn’t go up in the air. I understand it was dangerous, but we wasted two hours of time.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thank you for sharing about your experience. Sometimes Mother Nature provides us with ample notice of poor weather, and other times not. Our operation is highly wind and weather dependent, and weather conditions can vary between locations, hence the need to sometimes visit multiple launch sites. Everything we do is with your safety in mind, and we will never jeopardize that. We are so sorry for any inconvenience the cancellation of your tour caused, and understand your time is valuable. There is no charge for a cancellation of your hot air balloon ride due to weather, and no obligation to reschedule. We hope to see you again in the future and provide you with the ballooning experience you were looking for when the conditions are right.

Fantastic and Memorable balloon ride!!

Jayne_B, Mar 2022

We had grandchildren with us and it was so fun seeing their faces of joy!! The ballon pilot was informative and fun to be with.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Hi Jayne, Thank you for your sharing your heartwarming experience with us all! We greatly appreciate it and can't wait to see you up, up and away soon again!

Awesome!

Susan_C, Feb 2022

The entire experience! Your company does it in style. Our captain and crew were amazing especially Morgan and Joy!

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Hi there Susan! Thank you for your positive feedback! Our pilot Morghan and crew member, Joy, always strive for the best experience for you all! We're so thankful for your review & we can't wait to see you cruising the skies with us soon again!

Need a refund. You’ll have to wait

Lynn_T, Feb 2022

My problem is lack of communication between Viator and Hot Air Balloons. The trip was cancelled by Hot Air Balloons yet Viator charged me then takes 3-7 days to refund a trip I didn’t take. Wouldn’t use them again. I’d book direct.

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Hi Lynn_T, thank you for your feedback! When you book through a third party like Viator/TripAdvisor you are required to pay for the tour up front and it can take a few days for a refund to be processed to your account. If you book directly with our company we do not take any payment up front, just in case there is a cancellation due to weather, that way you are not waiting for a refund. The choice is yours on how you would like to book your excursions, and we appreciate your business regardless of if you book through a third party or directly with your company. Thank you for your patience with the weather and the refund process. We hope to have the opportunity to take you up, up and away in the future!

Balloon ride in the desert- one and done!

Latisha_S, Feb 2022

Booked this trip with my adult daughters in Arizona to celebrate their birthdays. It took 30 minutes on a van to get to the balloon takeoff location. We then had to wait another 30min or so for them to inflate the balloon so that we could get in the balloon. Not sure if this is standard procedure but it would have been nice for the balloon to already be inflated and ready to go when customers arrive. Also there was only one step stool so those of us on the other side of the balloon had to throw ourselves into the balloon without the assistance of a step stool. We had Mike England as our pilot and he was pretty rude and sarcastic. Susie and the other guys on our crew were nice and friendly. The landing was pretty rocky and it felt like we were going to flip over but thank God we didn’t. The appetizers weren’t great but the desserts were really good including the birthday cake. I would also suggest providing more than one bottle of sparkling cider since everyone doesn’t drink champagne and there were 2 bottles of that. The sunset was nice. All and all it was an ok experience but not something I would do again.

It was my first time and...

Carmelita_D, Jan 2022

It was my first time and it was incredible could not put into words the whole experience was just outstanding

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Hi Carmelita, We're so glad we were able to provide with such an outstanding first time experience! Thank you for your feedback and we hope that you will cruise with us again soon!

Loved the experience! It was breathtaking! ❣️

Patrice_D, Jan 2022

The staff was very knowledgeable ! I would use this company again! Kasey was our pilot! He did a great job!!

Response from Host, Jan 2022

Hi Patrice, Thank you so much for your positive feedback! Isn't Captain Kasey the best?! We cannot wait to hear from you again and see you cruising the skies again!

Pretty good but could be better

Ruth_W, Dec 2021

This flight was fun though there were some things that could be better. The pilot, Robert England was a very good pilot though quite curmudgeonly. We were the last balloon up and the first down. The flight was about 30 (no wind - no one's fault) minutes with another 20 on the ground waiting for the chaser vans. It was definitely not enough air time. The other balloons were up much longer. Everything else was as expected and enjoyable. One suggestion is hot drinks in the winter instead of Martinellis. It was chilly! Enjoyed the hor d'oeuvres and the company!

WOW!!

Katherine_O, Dec 2021

This was the most AMAZING experience! The staff and flight crew are absolutely THE BEST!! EVERYONE was courteus, helpful and FUN. Jonathan was our Captain who was hilarious and very knowledgeable! Definitely bucket list worthy!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hi Katherine, Thank you for your feedback! Our pilot Jonathan sure is the life of the party! Our team always pours their all and it shows! Thank you once again Katherine, we hope to see you soaring the skies soon!

Awesome!!!!!

Brandon_C, Dec 2021

Captian Morgan is the best. Driver with the colorful hair was awesome. Would do again 100 times.!!!!!!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hi Brandon, We're so glad you had a wonderful flight up in the air with with our Pilot Morghan. Our crew member Ali is always a blast to ride with! Thank you Brandon for your feed!

10/10 Stars!

Charnjeet_K, Dec 2021

We wanted to celebrate a birthday 🥳 & thought what better way than to cross an item such as riding in a hot air balloon off our bucket list ?! It was amazing!!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hey there, Thank you for celebrating your birthday was us! How wonderful you were able to check an item off your bucket list! We greatly appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing up in the air again!

Amazing experience

Margaret_W, Nov 2021

We were so excited for this ballooning adventure and our expectations were completely blown away! This company made us feel safe and special. Morgan was the very best pilot!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hi there! Our captain Morghan & crew members have a passion for ballooning and it shows! Our passengers & safety are always our number one priorities! Thank you for sharing your experience with us all!

A+ Adventure!

Stephanie_R, Nov 2021

What an amazing experience! My husband and I booked this adventure to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Our pilot Morghan, crew chief James and the rest of the flight crew were simply awesome, very informative, comforting and funny. The flight and landing were so smooth. The desert sunset and candlelight post-flight snacks, champagne and anniversary cake along with the history of ballooning and reading of the balloonists prayer was so special. Thank you for making this such a memorable day. Can’t wait to fly again. Cheers.

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hi Stephanie, Wow! Thank you for the amazing review on our afternoon flight! Our captain Morghan is full of knowledge and jokes to share with everyone and our crew member, James, is always putting his all in making this an easy smooth trip! Thank you for celebrating your wedding anniversary with us & we sure hope you have money years to come!

Phenomenal

Judy_C, Nov 2021

Staff and pilot were phenomenal!! A great group of passengers…overall wonderful experience! Dinner and champs was a bonus and staff also provided birthday cake for my son and we all sang happy birthday. Such a great adventure!!!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hello Judy! Thank you for spending your son's birthday with us! We're thrilled to hear our staff was able to provide a phenomenal experience for you both! We sure hope this was a memorable experience & we hope to see you cruising the skies soon again!

A memorable ride worthy of five stars!

Eugene_V, Mar 2021

Lots of interesting narrative throughout, including the making of a hot air balloon from the cork of the champagne bottle. A very entertaining guide who made the trip both fun and memorable

Response from Host, Mar 2021

Hi Eugene, Thank you for your review and for flying with Hot Air Expeditions! It makes me so happy to hear that you were in such great hands with your captain and his crew. We hope to see you flying the skies with us again sometime.

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