Kris and his crew were the best. Great customer service. The process was smooth including our landing. Best way to celebrate

Rainbow Ryders provides one of the best hot air balloon ride experiences in Albuquerque. Reservations need to be made in advance through their website or by phone. Initially, a booking fee of $20 is charged to secure the reservation, and the final payment is collected after the balloon ride is completed. Our initial booking was canceled due to high winds, but we were able to reschedule for a later date without any hassle. Our pilot, Mr. Heff, was very knowledgeable and kept us engaged throughout the entire flight. Standing in the basket during the ride felt safe and comfortable, and the entire flight was incredibly smooth--almost like gently sailing through the sky. The views of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande River were absolutely amazing and made the experience truly memorable. After landing, there was a small celebration with champagne, which was a lovely touch. I would definitely recommend Rainbow Ryders to my friends! read more

Rainbow Ryders - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico but EXTRA! Had booked via phone---it was easy. I had questions I can't ask online since we booked the day before. You pay after the event which was so great. Check in was an hour before the event. It was very organized! The gathering rooms, the colored registration label cards with QR codes to sign waiver. Lucky we got to fly with the best And OG Alfred. Our group had the biggest hot air balloon and was the balloon depicting the culture of NM. Their team was incredible. Shuttle to the site for the take off and we had a toast after---Alfred's team even had special toast and snacks for the whole group. Incredible experience overall! More than a bucket list should I Say! read more

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Rainbow Ryders took 22 of my family members up in two balloons. An experience they will never forget. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Most highly recommended. read more

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Three of us had an amazing girls trip and the Hot Air Balloon ride was defiantly the highlight of our visit! I would do it over and over again. It was amazing, it was awsome! Not a cloud in the sky, perfect views for miles. Well worth what we paid. Friendly staff, and our knowledgeable pilot, Alfred was a treat. He knew everything about the area and was easy to talk to. He said that the weather conditions that morning were perfect and we would have a great ride, which we did. Getting in and out of the basket was very easy for us 60+ women! No help needed...LOL The post flight cranberry mimosas were enjoyed by all. Cheers to Rainbow Ryders! Maybe we'll see you again. read more

I had an absolutely amazing experience with Rainbow Ryders! This has been on my bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. They have it all down to an art form. It was smooth in every way. Knowledgeable and experienced pilots and crew. The sky was filled with colorful balloons over the city of Albuquerque. I cannot more highly recommend this experience. read more

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We had the best time. So beautiful and easy. Great host Mezz - he was awesome and fun! Highly suggest you go for a sunrise ride.

we had. an amazing adventure on our first balloon experience Although the day began in the wee hours of the morning we were one of many! as luck would have it we were the first up after the dawn patrol with the thousands of people cheering we felt like celebrities So beautiful up there! our pilot was amazing and definitely put us at ease The videos are too large but have a couple pics that don't do it justice read more

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Outstanding experience. These folks have it together, from check-in to loading, flying and touchdown. We were on board with a total of 11 folks. Boarded the van to the takeoff point, a large open area about 5 minute drive from the Ryders office. All balloons going up get deployed in the field, we're given some basic safety and landing prep instruction and up, up away. The ascent is smooth, we go a couple hundred feet up, the get a wet foot in the very shallow Rio Grande river. Then the real ascent, up to just shy of 3000 feet. The sensation is quite calm, you are not being propelled by prop or jet, you are with the wind. Its quiet and as you cruise with the wind, you hear the yard hounds from the homes below jankled by the burners of the colorful orbiting globes. The winds today tool us southeasternly at first, but then changed to the west. Our approach to land was extended as some low level winds were variable. Our pilot, Anthony picked a more open space to put 'er down. As we approached to land we were 10-15 feet over the rooftops finally settling in a sandy sage brush open field. With everyone braced as instructed we rolled the basket left on touchdown (like a slow motion roll, btw). The chase crew was johnny on the spot and everyone exited the basket without problem. A post-flight toast and the crew packed up the deflated balloon for the ride back to HQ. This was a lifetime experience. Great job Rainbow Ryders, great choreography and flight experience. read more

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We had an amazing hot air balloon ride with Brad as our pilot. Everything from start to finish was amazing. Well worth the money to check this off our bucket list. read more

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Anthony I think his name was.,the whole team did an outstanding job.,also they're very professional So they know what they're doing! So saying that! I'd definitely recommend everyone to there and have an amazing experience like we did so thank you so very to the team read more

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Great experience. We had Greg as our pilot and Greg a Lily as his helpers. If you are afraid of heights and think you could never do this- think again as I am that person and once I met Greg and learned of his background - fear left me. My family had such a great experience and Greg shared lots of information on the journey. Do the sunrise tour- life is too short not to enjoy it!! read more

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I cannot say enough good things about rainbow Ryder's! It was my first time going on a hot air balloon and I was fairly nervous. That being said, it's clear they know what they are doing here. Our call time was 530 AM for the sunrise ride! Our balloon fit 12 people so get ready to get cozy. It was a 45 ish minute flight and we got to see all parts of Albuquerque. The experience was truly once in a lifetime! read more

We had our Hot Air Balloon ride this morning. It was our first time and had the most amazing time. Alfred was our pilot and he was wonderful.I would recommend requesting him for your pilot. I have nothing but good things to say from the minute we arrived. Treat yourself you won't be disappointed! read more

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This company has great communication. They were very easy to find and in their communication they explained parking. When I arrived Troy checked me in and let me know that I'd be riding in his balloon. Boy did I hit the jackpot more on that later though. He sent me to an iPad to fill out a waiver, which was very quick and easy. Then after that he directed me to a waiting area which had plenty of seating for everyone who was flying that morning. They had information on each table, explaining what to expect during the flight which I absolutely appreciated, especially when it comes to what to expect during the landing . They were very prompt and right at 6 o'clock got things going. Troy's van was one of the first ones out. They drove us to the launch field and it was great seeing all of the balloons inflating together. It was pretty magical. There were about 15+ balloons in the air during our flight. Troy is a veteran pilot of approx 45 years. He holds records in ballooning. I was anxious coming into this, but Troy was so confident and skilled he immediately put me at ease. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had and I'd highly recommend Flying with this group if you're considering a hot air balloon ride also shout out to the Chase crew. They were amazing and on the ground in the location where we were estimated to land to stabilize us prior to us landing. Everyone did an amazing job. Once the flight was over, they provided us with beverages. They were super fast, packing up the balloon and had us back on our way to the offices in a timely manner. Troy checked us all out real quickly and sent us on our way with some snacks, absolutely brilliant way to start a morning. read more

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It an amazing experience! I highly recommend! Our pilot, Alfred, was extremely knowledgeable and super funny! Excellent way to spend a morning! read more

Rainbow Ryders - Hot air balloons over the Rio Grande - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Life is grand! It was a beautiful day for a Balloon ride and Rainbow Ryder knows how to create a perfect experience for their passengers. Our pilot, Alfred, and his crew Nicky & Frank were great. Every step of the way was planned and they were professional. The ride was serene. Flying over the Rio Grand was beautiful. Alfred entertained us and educated us about flying while in flight. Our landing was great. And they even brought champagne to celebrate checking off another goal from our bucket list. read more

Cancelled flight and poor management on getting clients back onto future rides. The first time first serve and wait in line as early as 1:30am by the gate is brutal and inhuman. "The system" is paper based and not keep up with current technology. Monopoly S the only hot air ballon rides operator in the festival gives Rainbow no incentive to improve. This should open up to more hot air ballon operators to create healthy competition and much better experiences for consumers. We paid lots of money to fly to attend the event along with hotel expenses. read more

If you think the Sandia Mountains look good bathed in that pink evening glow, just wait until you see them from a hot air balloon. Up there, they don't just glow--they practically blush. We flew with Rainbow Ryders (because, honestly, was there any other option?), and our pilot Greg, along with Rich and Nicole, made the whole thing feel like a floating party with friends you haven't met yet. They turned a balloon ride into a full-on adventure, with everyone getting in on the action. I can't wait to drag more friends and family up into the sky--Albuquerque looks even better when you're thousands of feet above your worries. read more

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As a New Mexican it felt like finally getting my right of passage to fly in a Hot Air Balloon and it was beyond the hype. The pilots were so nice and the ride was so beautiful! I recommend this place and this experience to anyone and everyone! read more

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Amazing flight. Views were spectacular. Alfred was GREAT! Professional crew. Snacks at the end were delicious.

Absolutely amazing and pleasant experience! We were so excited to fly in a hot air balloon, which was the first thing I wanted to do when we got to Albuquerque. We booked a sunrise ride with mimosas. Everyone was very helpful, and the waiver link was easy to sign. We were excited in the waiting room, looking around to see which group we would join. They started calling out the group numbers, and everyone was so excited to board the transportation. When everyone was gone, only the three of us were left, wondering if we had missed the call-out. It turned out we were the "VIP" group because another group canceled at the last minute. YEAH! We were very lucky to have Steve and Jerry as our flight crew team. Steve was very helpful, explaining all the rules and sharing his experience. The most enjoyable part was when Steve taught us how hot air balloon flights work. When we were up in the air, he gave us an introduction to the landscape and buildings. We felt safe and had a pleasant time. It was the most amazing experience, and I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders. read more

Rainbow Ryders - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Had an amazing, smooth ride with Alfred. Pointed out landmarks and talked about his love of flying read more

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Such an amazing experience from an incredibly professional company. The pilot (aeronaut) Alfred made the trip so enjoyable! If you're wondering if it's worth it, 100%, if you can, fly with Alfred! read more

Professional, well-organized experience. Bucket list is company slogan. Lift off was so smooth & gentle - I was enthralled & mesmerized by Albuquerque's stunning beauty. I would do this again! read more

Rainbow Ryders - We experienced a gorgeous hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders in Albuquerque. - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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These folks are top notch. If you have ever wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, this is your place. Full on professionals that give you the trip of a lifetime. Beautiful views for miles and they make sure everyone has the best experience. read more

Rainbow Ryders - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

What a wonderful, unique, bucket list experience to be doing in ABQ! I've always wanted to try a balloon ride and finally was able to make it for a winter sunrise balloon flight one morning while my friend from out of town came for a visit. It was a frigid morning, but something that I will remember long in my life for sure. The morning flight was a serene flight run by Alfred. It really allowed you enough time to enjoy the experience of seeing how a balloon is set/lit up and riding a balloon to really get a wonderful peace of mind view of the town. I highly recommend the trip and the experience riding a balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders was so memorable. Glad I chose them and also had a great time with an experienced balloon pilot sharing his knowledge and experience flying a balloon as our guide! read more

Rainbow Ryders - Getting ready for a sunrise balloon flight - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Amazing experience! Our pilot Kris was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He made us laugh many times and gave some great insight into his career and passion for hot air ballooning. I highly recommend flying with Rainbow Ryders. Everyone was extremely friendly from the time we arrived to the time we left. The ground crew were excellent and very helpful. If you are in Albuquerque you HAVE to schedule a flight and if you get Kris you will be lucky! read more

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We did the sunrise ride this morning. Everything was perfect! Very professional, knowledgeable and great guides. 5 stars!

Our pilot was Alfred and he was amazing! talked through the ride to show us all the landmarks and cool places around , was very knowledgeable and made some jokes along the way. This was my first hot air balloon ride and I would definetly go again ! Views are amazing the ride is long enough to take it all in. read more

Rainbow Ryders - Rio Grande view - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Easy check in. All questions answered. Bit of a wait at the departure area for the right winds. Alfred was our pilot and he was terrific, explained everything!! Got to splash and dash on the Rio Grande, spent a little over an hour in the air. Landing these things is surely an art! Go, enjoy! Easy to get in and out of the basket so don't use that as an excuse. read more

I posted this earlier but under the wrong categor. oops I signed up for a balloon ride for me and my sister on 26 November in Albuquerque and highly recommend you doing so. The entire experience was simply fantastic. The early morning weather cooperated, and the crew handling our ride did so in an outstanding fashion. From the check in to the celebratory champagne toasts - it was smooth and seamless. They drove us from the main office to the launch site and watching 8 crews inflate and manage our take off was brilliant. All were courteous and friendly offering to take pictures and assisting us into the basket so as to make less awkward the climb in. Once airborne, Anthony Lard, our pilot keep us entertained and informed as we passed over various landmarks. if you need to feel uplifted or just need to get away for awhile, I highly recommend you check out the company and ask for Anthony Lard as your pilot. read more

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Wow. What an experience! My bf and I are road tripping from California to North Carolina and decided to stop in New Mexico. After a quick search, he decided to book us a hot air balloon ride. IT WAS PHENOMENAL. We did the morning ride and surprisingly it wasn't that cold! But we were layered appropriately as well. Alfred was our guide/captain for the day and he was great! We had an amazing group to see amazing views of Albuquerque with! And then there were snacks and mimosas after. MY KIND OF EXPERIENCE. Highlyyyyy recommend! read more

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So fun, amazing views. The crew was great, very friendly professional. Our pilot, Mike Heffron, gave us a very soft landing! I def recommend! read more

Rainbow Ryders - Albuquerque from the top - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Obviously can be intimidating to choose the right company to take you up into the air. After reading all the positive reviews I went with this company. Our tour guy was Anthony and he was great. I liked the route he took us on vs the other guys. Everything felt safe and in control. We went in June. It was a bit chilly in the morning but I was absolutely sweating once in the basket. You're so close to the flame and perhaps close to others so I was sweating. I'm a warm person but still. Not sure how long we were in the air but it was definitely a good amount of time. From start to finish it was about 3.5 hours. Place was easy to find and plenty of parking. Would def go with them again read more

Awesome birthday ride with Rainbow Ryders. Kyle and his crew were wonderful. We seemed to be flying higher than all the other balloons. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So glad I was able to experience with my friends. read more

The balloon ride itself was good. But it wasn't even done by Rainbow Ryders. It was someone they subcontracted during the Balloon festival. That part was great. The problem was the companies terrible service when the scheduled day was canceled for weather. They knew before the gates opened that they were cancelled for the day, but they don't communicate that to you, so you have to fight traffic, pay for parking and pay for tickets to get in just to find out you are canceled for the day. They say they will reschedule you if this happens, but that is not true. They make you show up each day for a first come, first served standby line. You have to pay for parking and buy tickets to the event even if you don't get to ride that day, just to have to come back and pay again for another chance. They also accept other walk-ups who haven't already paid and been waiting for days to get a ride. They also accept people who manage to cheat or bribe their way in before the gates are opened...taking available spots away from those who are honest. Unfortunately these folks have a monopoly at the festival, otherwise I would recommend any other company than this one. read more

OMG !!! Sooooo much fun .. wonderful and knowledgeable staff ... the sunrise balloon ride exceeded my expectations.. especially since I'm afraid of heights ..... I would totally do this again read more

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A lot of people say this is a bucket list thing to do, but I think people should do this at any point in their life, and more than once. It was a wonderful time. Our Rainbow Ryders team (with pilot Jon Thompson) were so friendly and knowledgeable; they made you feel safe and comfortable. It was an enjoyable ride, great history and conversation. I will be recommending this experience and this company to all of my friends and family; it was a blast! read more

Amazing experience. Went very smoothly and pilot very knowledgeable and fun. Would highly recommend it.