Sonoran Desert Hot Air Balloon Ride

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Sonoran Desert on a hot air balloon ride. Discover diverse flora, fauna, and wildlife while enjoying stunning views of the Phoenix metro valley. Toast to an unforgettable adventure with champagne and fresh fruit.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • McDowell Mountain Regional Park - View from altitude of McDowell Regional Park
  • Camelback Mountain - view from altitude of Camelback Mountain
What's Included
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Champagne and fresh fruit included
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Souvenir Champagne flute (available for purchase)
Additional Information

Enjoy a scenic hot air balloon flight over the Sonoran Desert, where you can observe thousands of species of plants, animals, and wildlife. Soar above and take in the breathtaking views of the Phoenix metro valley. From your vantage point, you’ll see landmarks such as McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Downtown Phoenix & Tempe, Camelback Mountain, and…

Location
Starbucks
West Happy Valley Road
Starbucks is located directly across the parking lot from Lowes. IF you are late to pick up, we can't wait, you could be left behind! We have a tight timeline to fly. Please arrive 5 minutes early to ensure you’re not left. Customers who are late will not be refunded. Use bathroom before you arrive.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.0
(280 Ratings)
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Carly_w
Oct 19, 2025
Absolute YES!!! - Thank you so much to Shane and the crew!!! Kept us very safe!!!! It was very windy and we weren’t sure if we would get to fly but the crew and Shane worked VERY hard to make that happen while also keeping us safe!!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Syncha_t
Oct 19, 2025
Don’t hesitate. Just book it. - Shane and his crew were amazing. So professional and mindful of our safety the entire time. Wish I could book with this crew in every city.
Review provided by Viator
Maria_g
Oct 3, 2025
Breathe taking - If you have never been on a hot air balloon ride it is breathe taking. The sunrise was amazing. My friend was not sure about going but, she had no choice ticket was purchased what a great birthday experience.
Review provided by Viator
Dashonda_p
Sep 30, 2025
Well worth it... - Well worth it Customer service was amazing My favorite part was landing We went just enough to where I wasn't afraid
Review provided by Viator
Nickol_l
Sep 10, 2025
Exceptionally Extraordinary Experience - From the driving crew to the captain of our balloon ride. Everything was top knotch. We were given very specific instructions and overview of the event from start to finish. Everything that was explained was done exceptionally well. Would hihgly recommend using this company for your baloon ride experience. Top notch!
Review provided by Viator
Kahlil_h
Sep 6, 2025
Camelback mountain hike - Curtis did an awesome job guiding us up camelback mountain. It was very difficult for novice hikers like us but he was patient and we took several breaks in between to help. He made sure we were prepared, he had backpacks with lots of water and snacks. He told us historic info about the area. Overall he was a very great guide and would strongly recommend him for anyone who wants to hike
Review provided by Viator
Donna_w
Sep 1, 2025
Best thing I could have ever done 🥰 - What an absolutely incredible experience! The ride was unbelievably smooth and peaceful—gliding quietly through the sky as the sun rose was nothing short of breathtaking. The views were stunning, with every moment offering a new and beautiful perspective of the landscape. The entire crew was outstanding—professional, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do. It was obvious that they were not only well-trained but also deeply skilled in the art of hot air ballooning. Our pilot was phenomenal, keeping us informed at every step, explaining what to expect, and making us feel completely safe while still leaving room for wonder and excitement. One of the unexpected highlights was connecting with the other passengers. It truly felt like sharing a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with new friends, which made the experience even more memorable. And just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, it ended with a champagne toast that completely exceeded expectations—it made mimosas seem ordinary in comparison! This was without a doubt the ride of a lifetime, and I can’t recommend this service highly enough. If you’ve ever considered taking a hot air balloon ride, this is the team you want to experience it
Review provided by Viator
Joan_j
Sep 25, 2025
The balloon ride was cancelled two days in a row. The second day with very little notice. I lost mine on an Uber ride. - I paid for an Uber to the drop off and the trip was cancelled with little notice. Viator didn't help.
Review provided by Viator
Sharon_j
Sep 7, 2025
Customer Service - I’m sharing this review based on my direct experience, observations, and comparison with another company offering the same service. Pros: * They offered to rebook for the next day. * Refund was processed within a couple of hours. Cons: * No hotel pickup; you must drive to their meeting location, which is a dark parking lot at 4:30 a.m. If you’re alone, this doesn’t feel safe. * Staff were not friendly or welcoming. When I arrived early, I was told coldly to “just hang out” while waiting for another van—no offer to sit inside for safety or comfort. * Communication felt dismissive. For example, when I asked about the pen needed to sign in, the staff member reacted with visible annoyance and tossed it onto the clipboard. Experience: The ride was ultimately canceled due to high winds, which is understandable for safety reasons. However, we weren’t informed until after driving to the meeting point and being shuttled around. Weather conditions, including wind speeds at different elevations, are available online in real time, so earlier communication could have saved time and frustration. When the cancellation occurred, I was told I could rebook for the next day or request a refund through Viator myself. Another customer who asked about the refund process was met with hostility from the operators, escalating into an unnecessary confrontation. This left me feeling uncomfortable and unsafe. By contrast, I immediately contacted another company. Their staff were responsive, provided detailed instructions, confirmed hotel pickup, and answered my questions with patience. When their ride was canceled due to weather, they proactively notified me and Viator, and my refund was processed within minutes—no extra steps on my part. Bottom line: This is a bucket-list experience for many people, and customer care matters just as much as safety. Unfortunately, this company fell short in professionalism and hospitality. Their consistently lower ratings and last-minute availability compared to other providers in the area reflect the same. I would not book with them again and would not recommend them to others.
Review provided by Viator
Ambriaw131
Aug 22, 2025
THE PILOT SHANE WILL RUIN YOUR EXPERIENCE - I would put 0 stars if I could. We booked a sunrise ride for my friend’s birthday and what should’ve been a beautiful experience turned into one of the most uncomfortable mornings we’ve ever had. Our group is mostly Black women, and the pilot spent the entire ride making demeaning, sexist remarks directed at us. At one point, he said “women like to be controlled” and continued making comments so inappropriate that we wanted to speak up but felt we couldn’t — because he was the pilot and we were literally in the air with him. SHANE IS THE WORST, MOST UNPROFESSIONAL PILOT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. After we landed, AND PAID, we tried giving polite feedback, but he became defensive, told us we were “too sensitive,” and even said we should “get out of his state” and called us racist for confronting him. We paid over $1,000 for this ride and left feeling targeted and unsafe. The company never responded to our outreach, and after seeing others had similar experiences, I’d strongly warn against booking with them EVER!! They DO NOT CARE about your experience just the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $220
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).