Phoenix: Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Ride Over Sonoran Desert

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Over Phoenix & the Sonoran Desert

You rise before sunrise in a shared hot air balloon carrying 10-16 passengers, float above the Sonoran Desert for an hour with live commentary, and land to a champagne toast and snacks. The drive to the launch site varies daily based on wind, and you'll need to be able to stand for the full flight and step down from chair height when landing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon ride and celebration

• Meet at office
• Drive to launch site
• Enjoy 1-hour balloon ride
• Celebrate with toast and refreshments

The experience

The basket rocks slightly as the burner fires (a deep, rhythmic roar that fills the predawn dark), and then you're up. The ground falls away fast enough that your stomach notices, but not so fast you miss the shift: the desert floor below goes from shadow to rust-colored detail in minutes. You're floating in a shared basket with about a dozen other people, all of you quiet at first, watching the light spread across the Sonoran Desert in bands of orange and pink. The hot air balloon ride from Phoenix lasts an hour, and most of it happens in silence except for the burner and the guide's voice pointing out landmarks below: the saguaro cacti, the ridge lines, the way the city grid appears in the distance like something drawn on paper.

Before you get there, though, you meet at the office and drive out to the launch site, which changes day to day depending on wind direction and speed. That's the part nobody mentions in the photos: the drive, the waiting while the crew inflates the balloon (you can help if you want, which most people do), the safety briefing about how to land. You need to be able to stand for the full hour and handle the impact of stepping down from a chair height when you touch ground again. Kids have to be at least five years old. If you weigh over 300 pounds, you'll need to buy an extra seat for weight distribution and comfort. The flight itself is shared (10 to 16 passengers in the basket), so you're not alone up there, but it doesn't feel crowded.

When you land, there's a champagne toast waiting, along with light snacks. It's celebratory in the way these things are, everyone a little giddy from the height and the quiet and the light. The whole experience, from office to landing, takes a few hours, and it's weather permitting, which means if the wind picks up or a storm rolls in, they reschedule you. Bring layers because it's cold at altitude, even in Arizona. Close-toed shoes, sunscreen, a hat. The guide talks the whole time you're up there, so you're not just floating. You're learning what you're looking at.

What’s included

Your hot air balloon ride includes the 1-hour flight over the Sonoran Desert with 10-16 passengers in a shared basket, live commentary from the guide throughout, a champagne toast upon landing, light snacks and refreshments, the option to help the crew inflate the balloon before takeoff, and all local taxes. Hotel pickup is not included, but you'll meet at the office for transport to the launch site.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sunrise RideGuide in English · 05:45 and 06:00Premier ride by Rainbow Ryders, Inc., the premier and largest hot air balloon business serving the Southwest since 1983. Duration: 1 hour. Your flight will last about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on Mother Nature, and the entire experience will last about 3 hours. Celebratory toast included. Sonoran Desert views.

Extra Space Policy (over 300 lbs)Guide in English · 05:45, 06:00 and 06:15Extra space policy: passengers weighing 300+ lbs must purchase an additional space to ensure safety, comfort, and proper weight distribution during the flight. Premier ride by Rainbow Ryders, Inc., the premier and largest hot air balloon business serving the Southwest since 1983. Duration: 1 hour. Your flight will last about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on Mother Nature, and the entire experience will last about 3 hours. Celebratory toast included. Sonoran Desert views.

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

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 06:00, 06:15 and 05:45, from US$ 209 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday: 06:00 and 06:15Wednesday: 05:45, 06:00 and 06:15Last departure this season: 22 DecAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 12 · max 6 per booking

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rainbow Ryders

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want a sunrise experience over Phoenix without arranging their own transport to the launch site: the office pickup and variable location based on wind conditions are what make the flight safe and the view consistent. Plan to be out for a few hours total, and know you'll be standing for the full flight in a shared basket with a dozen other people.

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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 start?

The flight departs at sunrise. You meet at the office beforehand for the drive to the launch site, which varies daily depending on wind conditions.

How many people are in the hot air balloon basket?

The shared basket holds 10 to 16 passengers per flight.

What's included in the hot air balloon ride from Phoenix?

The package includes the 1-hour flight, champagne toast, light snacks, live commentary from the guide, and the option to help the crew inflate the balloon. Local taxes are also included.

Are pregnant women allowed on the hot air balloon ride?

No, pregnant travelers are unable to fly.

What if I weigh over 300 pounds?

Passengers weighing 300 pounds or more must purchase an additional seat to ensure safety, comfort, and proper weight distribution during the flight.

What should I wear for the hot air balloon ride?

Wear light, layered clothing, close-toed shoes, and bring sunscreen and a hat. It's cooler at altitude even in Arizona.

Is the hot air balloon ride weather dependent?

Yes, all flights are weather permitting. If conditions aren't safe, the tour will be rescheduled.

Can I help inflate the hot air balloon?

Yes, you have the option to help the crew inflate the balloon before takeoff.

How long is the entire experience?

The flight itself lasts 1 hour. The full experience, including the drive to the launch site and the post-landing celebration, takes a few hours.