Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hot Air Expeditions

We got to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity of riding in a hot air balloon ride on our trip to Phoenix, Arizona with Hot Air Expeditions! Here is what to expect on your trip and why we loved Hot Air Expeditions to ride with.

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Hot Air Expeditions offers hot air balloon rides in Phoenix/Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona. We took a flight during our trip to Scottsdale. First thig to know, you have to get up EARLY! Balloon rides take place at sunrise so you will have to check in for your ride around 4/4:30 am.
Read some FAQs on their website HERE.

For a balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions you are looking at around $150-200 per person. Pricing depends on whether you want a private or shared ride and if you’d like to fly inn the morning or afternoon. This is a much more reasonable price compared to others. I’ve seen balloon rides as high as $500-1000 per person!
View pricing and book your ride HERE.

When we arrived at the site the crew immediately started getting the balloon ready for take off. You will get to watch them unfold the balloon then start inflating it with fans then heat. You will have about fifteen minutes to take some photos and watch the balloon inflate before its time for take off!

I’ll be honest, I am someone that enjoys roller coasters, but not necessarily bungee jumping. I felt 100% completely safe in the hot air balloon the entire time. I never felt scared! Aurora, our nine year old was not scared either but maybe a little grumpy from getting up so early).

We took a shared balloon ride, so there were about 15-20 people total in the balloon. Each party had their own section of the balloon for the ride.

For the ride itself only the captain will be riding with you. The crew will be in the chase vehicles awaiting your arrival o the ground. Our captain was great and kept us entertained with history, jokes, and pointing out different sites in the area.

There were two other balloons taking off at the same time as us, it was neat to see them go up and down in the distance during our ride.

The view of the sunrise over the desert was breathtaking. All you could see for miles was dirt and cacti. We did spot a few bunnies here and there when we were closer to the ground.

Your ride time and height depend on the balloon, the captain, and the weather. The highest we got was approximately 4000 feet above the ground, and our ride lasted about an hour and a half. The ride itself is really smooth.

When we landed it was quite literally in the middle of nowhere in the desert. The chase vehicles arrived before us to welcome us down. Landing was much smoother than an airplane.

Aurora and I rushed out to snap some photos of the balloon still inflated because they deflate it immediately after landing for safety.

Hot Air Expedition Balloons have a pretty sunset background with a saguaro cactus on the side.

After landing you will be treated to a sit down breakfast and champagne toast. Catered by a local French restaurant, we enjoyed a quiche, cheese, apple, and croissant. I could’ve eaten ten of those quiches they were so delicious! Your toast will be in tribute to the very first balloon ride and your successful hot air balloon ride. You will have a choice between sparkling grape juice or champagne.

Each person will also be presented with a certificate for the completion of your ride. We had a fabulous experience with Hot Air Expeditions and I would highly recommend them for your trip!
View more info and book your ride HERE.