Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride & Desert Champagne Toast

What's It Like to Drift Above the Desert at Golden Hour

You float above the Sonoran Desert for 45–60 minutes, passing Camelback Mountain and viewing Downtown Phoenix from above, then land to a champagne toast and charcuterie spread served on a table in the desert. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if selected, and you receive a commemorative certificate. The whole experience runs most of an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon ride and desert celebration

• Check in at Deer Valley Airport
• Float above Sonoran Desert
• Soar past Camelback Mountain
• View Downtown Phoenix at sunset
• Land and enjoy champagne and charcuterie
• Experience traditional Balloonists Ceremony

The experience

What makes you want to leave the ground? For most people, it's the promise of seeing something familiar from a completely different angle, and a hot air balloon ride over Phoenix does exactly that. You check in at Deer Valley Airport in the early morning (the timing matters, the calm air and soft light are why balloons fly at dawn or late afternoon), and within an hour you're floating 2,000 to 5,000 feet above the Sonoran Desert with nothing between you and the landscape but open sky. The 45 to 60 minutes aloft is quiet in a way that ground-level travel never is. You pass Camelback Mountain (the one locals hike and bike on weekends), and watch it shrink below you. Downtown Phoenix appears in the distance, small and glowing.

The flight itself is the main event, but what happens after is what people remember. Once you land, there's a table waiting for you in the desert itself, complete with linens and china. It feels absurd and perfect at once. You're greeted with chilled champagne (or sparkling cider if you prefer) and a fruit and cheese plate while you're still catching your breath from the landing. If it's your first time, there's a traditional Balloonists Ceremony (something balloonists have done for over a century), and you'll get a commemorative flight certificate to take home. The whole experience, from pickup to landing to the desert toast, takes most of an afternoon.

Roundtrip hotel transportation is included if you select that option at booking, which means you don't have to arrange your own way to Deer Valley Airport. Pickups run from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Mesa, Arcadia, and Cave Creek: anywhere within 30 minutes of the check-in location. That detail matters if you're staying outside central Phoenix and don't want to navigate an unfamiliar route before sunrise.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup and drop-off (if that option is selected at booking), a 45–60 minute hot air balloon flight over the Sonoran Desert with views of Camelback Mountain and Downtown Phoenix, a chilled champagne or sparkling cider toast served at your desert landing site, a fruit and cheese plate, and a commemorative flight certificate. First-time flyers also participate in the traditional Balloonists Ceremony.

Options for this experience

10 options

Flight meet at the airport at 2:45 pmGuide in English · 14:45

Flight meet at the airport at 3:15 pmGuide in English · Available from 23 Jan 2027

Flight meet at the airport at 3:30 pmGuide in English · Available from 30 Jan 2027

See 7 more options

Flight meet at the airport at 3:45 pmGuide in English · Available from 13 Feb 2027

3:45pm Flight+Hotel TransfersGuide in English · Available from 13 Feb 2027

2:45pm Flight+Hotel TransfersGuide in English · 14:45

3:15pm Flight+Hotel TransfersGuide in English · Available from 23 Jan 2027

3:30pm Flight+Hotel TransfersGuide in English · Available from 30 Jan 2027

Flight meet at DVT at 3 pmGuide in English · Available from 2 Jan 2027

3pm Flight+Hotel TransfersGuide in English · Available from 2 Jan 2027

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 14:45, from US$ 269 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:45Last departure this season: 15 Mar 2027Another time? ›

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hot Air Expeditions Inc

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Phoenix Valley and Sonoran Desert from the air without arranging your own transport to the airport. The included pickup means you step out of your hotel and into the experience, and the fixed afternoon timing fits most travel schedules.

Traveler reviews

4.63★★★★★★★★★★

255 verified traveler reviews

5 ★210

4 ★20

3 ★9

2 ★7

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the hot air balloon ride depart?

Check-in is at Deer Valley Airport Balloon Ride Parking Area. Balloon flights typically depart early morning or late afternoon to catch calm winds and good light. Exact times depend on the day's weather and season.

How long is the actual flight?

Approximately 45–60 minutes in the air.

Is hotel pickup included?

Roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option at booking. Pickups serve Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Mesa, Arcadia, and Cave Creek, within 30 minutes of the check-in location.

What's included after the flight?

A champagne (or sparkling cider) toast and a fruit and cheese plate served at your desert landing site. First-time flyers participate in the traditional Balloonists Ceremony, and all passengers receive a commemorative flight certificate.

What should I wear?

Comfortable casual clothing, closed-toe shoes, a light jacket, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The temperature inside the balloon is about the same as on the ground, so dress for the day's expected weather.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, the minimum age is 5 years old.

Can I go if I'm pregnant?

No, pregnant travelers are not able to participate in this flight.

Do I need to be in good physical shape?

Passengers must be able to stand for the duration of the flight (approximately 60 minutes) and jump off the second step of a ladder onto the ground. The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels, but those with recent surgery, broken bones, or spinal injuries should not participate.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Balloon flights depend on calm winds and clear conditions. If weather is unsafe on your scheduled day, you'll be offered a rebooking or refund.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring sunscreen, a camera, and water. A hat and sunglasses are recommended. All passengers must complete a liability waiver before the flight.