Sunrise Sonoran Desert Hot Air Balloon Ride from Phoenix
Phoenix, USA
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Wake up early to experience a Sonoran Desert sunrise, and transform it into a story by seeing it from a birds-eye view. This hot air balloon ride from Phoenix takes you into the air with a professional guide who will narrate your trip. You’ll learn about the wildlife and history of this unique desert, then celebrate with Champagne and breakfast hors d’oeuvres.
- Perfect for solo travelers, couples or families
- Champagne and gourmet hors d’oeuvres are ready to enjoy post-ride
- Informative guide will tell you about the plants, animals and history of the Sonoran Desert
- Photo opportunities: views of the landscape and sunrise will make excellent souvenirs
What's Included
- Champagne and fresh fruit
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
- Souvenir Champagne flute (available for purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Starbucks Coffee Company2501 W Happy Valley Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85085, USA
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.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
McDowell Mountain Regional Park (Pass By)
Camelback Mountain (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- No open toed shoes or high heels
- Dress comfortable for the outside weather
- No recent surgeries
- No hip, leg, feet injury or issues
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Donna_W
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
Reviews
4.0
based on 300 reviews
Chad_P, Mar 2026
The experience itself was cool but the instructor was unprofessional and rude. He was complaining about and arguing with his coworkers during and after the ride. And he didn’t know how to talk respectfully and professional. I will not choose this company ever again.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and I’m truly sorry this was your experience. What you described is not reflective of the level of professionalism and atmosphere we work hard to provide for every guest.
We take this kind of feedback very seriously. The crew member involved is no longer with our company, and we’ve addressed the situation internally to ensure this does not happen again.
We’re glad you were still able to enjoy the flight itself, but we completely understand how important the overall experience is: both in the air and on the ground.
Thank you again for your feedback, it helps us continue to improve as a company.
Analia_P, Mar 2026
Our pilot, Shane, was fantastic and we had a great conversation the whole time. He is so knowledgeable and experienced and we felt so comfortable for the entirety of the ride. We missed the sunrise by a little bit, but it was cool watching them set the balloon up. Definitely recommend if you’re in the Phoenix area!!
Sherrie_Z, Mar 2026
The ride came 10 minutes late. We were still on the ground when the sunrise occurred. There was a land use permission dispute between the police and the company. We were concerned if we would be able to take off or not.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We are very sorry for the late launching. We do have permissions for the launch sites we use. However the police are doing their jobs as well and have to confirm there is no trespassing issues. Of course this may have set us back. I’m very sorry this happened for your experience.
lisa_v, Feb 2026
The ride was smooth, the staff knowledgeable regarding history and how to manipulate the hot air balloon. The guide explained the process which was comforting. And the landing was smooth! End it off with a drink! Highly recommend .
Angie_G, Feb 2026
The hot air balloon ride was totally worth it! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it and we definitely recommend! Great adventure!
Forest_H, Feb 2026
My wife is terrified of heights. She was so nervous she was shaking. The pilot, Shane, and all the helpers helped her feel so comfortable before and during our flight. Beautiful, amazing, once in a lifetime experience! Thank you so much!!!
Kenya_B, Jan 2026
The crew was kind of rude, took away from the experience. Overall the air ballon was a decent experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
I apologize our crew wasn’t the friendliest. That’s definitely not the experience we want anyone to have. We will do better in the future.
Keeona_C, Jan 2026
Everyone was very polite and friendly! The Pilot knew everything ! He was extremely funny too ! very safe , super fun , mark it off the bucket list !!
Alondra_T, Jan 2026
This experience was 100/10. Our pilot was amazing!! And to meet up, and get to our location was super easy and smooth. I definitely recommend this to anyone traveling here. The views are amazing.
We ended up doing the sunset instead but never the less, the site was beautiful.
Aleka_H, Jan 2026
We had a good time! The ride was eventful for sure. But the team was very experienced and we felt like we were in good hands. Would do it again with the same crew.
Deepankar_D, Dec 2025
Amazing experience. Kept it safe and patient landing the balloon. Stories were fun and engaging. Thanks for the experience.
Sandra_C, Dec 2025
Great Experience! Shane is a great pilot! Come enjoy the memory of a lifetime! ♥️♥️ loved sharing it with my sister!
Tiania_W, Nov 2025
Had a great time! Literally was one of my bucket list items! Saw the sunrise! Shane was awesome and so was his crew!!!!
Amber_G, Oct 2025
10/10 experience from start to finish. I went solo but ended up making connections! The crew was very hands on and effective.
Deanna_G, Oct 2025
Our guide was absolutely amazing! The crew seemed very knowledgeable and insured our safety throughout the entire experience.
Carly_W, Oct 2025
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!!!!!
Syncha_T, Oct 2025
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.
Maria_G, Oct 2025
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.
Dashonda_P, Sep 2025
Well worth it
Customer service was amazing
My favorite part was landing
We went just enough to where I wasn't afraid
Joan_J, Sep 2025
I paid for an Uber to the drop off and the trip was cancelled with little notice. Viator didn't help.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We are very sorry about you losing out on the Uber ride. Unfortunately we have no control over the weather. We will only fly if it is safe for our costumers as that is priority. I'm very sorry about the late notification as the winds can change at a blink of an eye. We do appreciate the feedback. God Bless.
Nickol_L, Sep 2025
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!
Sharon_J, Sep 2025
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.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
I see you decided not to include that you turned down the hotel pickup service for an additional $50; but did in fact take that option with the same exact competitor that drove to the take off location with us and canceled at the very same moment with there customers also…. LOL also I see you were the customer who was threatening violence toward our crew for not handing you cash refund. Regardless if viator had the money and we didn’t…. Why didn’t you include THAT in the review? Or? Are you going to say you were the friend that supported her threatening and claiming we are racist because we won’t give cash? Well darlin, association with people like that make you just as guilty…. Oh! And the one yall were claiming racism with is a Japanese man! Those of you reading this… I hope you get a good laugh at the fact that owners are starting to stand up to the abuse customers have been antagonizing businesses with!
Kahlil_H, Sep 2025
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
Donna_W, Sep 2025
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
Jeff_C, Aug 2025
It is an amazing experience and the crew was very informative and delightful. Beautiful scenery and met som amazing people on this ride.
Carl_V, Aug 2025
Early start at 4am to catch the sunrise.
Shane, Matthew, and Michelle were complete professional and made sure our flight was smooth.
Great narration of Phoenix surrounding. We had fun.
TKEYAH_F, Jul 2025
This was amazing!!! Apparently there are usually 20 balloons riding usually and we were 1 of 3 that actually flown. It was a great experience and beautiful sight! Shane(i believe that was his name) was our flight guy and he was amazing! made sure we stayed safe but also had some fun!
Astou_B, Jun 2025
I’m afraid of heights, but this was one of the most magical experiences of my life. It was so peaceful the higher up we went. The pilot was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, and clearly experienced. He made us laugh, pointed out interesting landmarks, and even gave us a little history about ballooning. The landing was smooth, and we ended the ride with a toast to celebrate. If you’re thinking about it.. do it. This is one of those bucket-list experiences that’s 100% worth it.
Jamie_G, Jun 2025
This was the worst experience ever. The safety of myself and my friends were at risk!! They were way too many people on the balloon. It didn’t not look or feel safe!!!
Shanava_R, Jun 2025
I was running a few minutes behind, I spoke with the tour guide and told him that I would be at the location in 8 minutes. He stated that he would wait the 8 minutes until I arrived. When I arrived, he was gone and wouldn’t answer the phone! If he couldn’t wait he should’ve said that during the call instead of lying. Don’t book with this company! They are untrustworthy!
From $220.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Sunrise Sonoran Desert Hot Air Balloon Ride from Phoenix
300
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$220.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Phoenix, USA
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve Tours & Tickets
- Mission San Xavier del Bac Tours & Tickets
- Tempe Tours & Tickets
- Desert Botanical Gardens Tours & Tickets
- Scottsdale Fashion Square Tours & Tickets
- Phoenix Zoo Tours & Tickets
- National Comedy Theatre (NCT) Tours & Tickets
- South Mountain Park Tours & Tickets
- Apache Trail Tours & Tickets
- Superstition Mountains Tours & Tickets
- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) Tours & Tickets
- Saguaro Lake Tours & Tickets
- Tuzigoot National Monument Tours & Tickets
- Tonto National Forest Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Phoenix, USA