Hot Air Balloon Rides
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$200
per adult
Aerogelic Ballooning
Aerogelic Ballooning
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Enjoy a scenic hot air balloon flight over the Sonoran Desert viewing 1000's of species of flora, fauna, and wildlife. At altitude touring the majestic views of the surrounding Phoenix metro valley. See sights such as the McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Downtown Phoenix & Tempe, Camelback Mountain and much more. At the end of your flight, celebrate with a traditional post flight champagne toast and gourmet breakfast of hors d'oeuvres. After meeting your guide, enjoy some Starbucks coffee and snacks (not included) and off you go in an off road equipped hot air balloon "chase vehicle" to a launch location predicted my mother nature. You than are able to take in the the beauty of the Sonoran Desert sunrise while the beautiful hot air balloon is inflated and prepared for launch. Into the wild blue you will fly for approximately an hour. During this time, you will hear about the flora, fauna and wildlife of the area as well as the history. After landing your guide will pull out the picnic baskets and tables for your traditional champagne toast and gourmet breakfast of hors d'oeuvres as the forefathers have done since 1783. Once the crew has packed up the balloon and you have enjoyed sipping on champagne, you will be brought safely back to your meeting location for a chance to sit and share the adventure of having become one with nature in the sky.
Tours and Tickets by Aerogelic Ballooning
Wildlife Watching
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$260
per adult
Travelers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
179 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
10
Terrible
26
Nancy M
5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Yesterday, Sunday February 19, 2023 we were blessed with an amazing sunset flight over the East Valley (Arizona)!
It was touch and go for a bit while waiting to see if the winds would cooperate, and they did.
Shane, our pilot, and the crew were great and very knowledgeable. Thanks guys for an adventure I will never forget!
We took our 8 yr old granddaughter with us and it most definitely will be a memory she will have forever.
Can't wait to book a Sunrise Flight soon!!
It was touch and go for a bit while waiting to see if the winds would cooperate, and they did.
Shane, our pilot, and the crew were great and very knowledgeable. Thanks guys for an adventure I will never forget!
We took our 8 yr old granddaughter with us and it most definitely will be a memory she will have forever.
Can't wait to book a Sunrise Flight soon!!
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moe
3 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We had a great time on the balloon ride. The pilot and crew were really nice. Some members of our party were a bit late and they were nice and waited. The actual ride was an experience we will never forget. Two things to be aware of. They push way to hard for tips. It’s not like any of these guys are cheap, so the constant reminders in emails, phone calls and the door of the van is really tacky. Also, too much smoking. Some members of my family are allergic and it made for a very hard van trip to and from the location.
Written April 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
epeeling
montreal26 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
It was a great experience. However we felt like the pilot was lacking in professionalism. Firstly by texting and talking on his cellphone during the duration of the drive and antagonizing the other pilots during the flight. The whole trip was more focused on talking about what the other pilots in the vicinity were doing wrong. A part from that the views were great and he did get us there safely. A more reassuring demeanor (rather than repeatedly commenting on how tricky the flight was that day) and a briefing at the start of the trip would have gone a long way in making it a more enjoyable ride. Too many basic safety concerns to recommend this company.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron H
28 contributions
Jan 2020
If you want to spoil your holiday, contact this company. Otherwise, look for other businesses to fulfill your dream and not be disappointed.
Ballooning with this company was a birthday present for my wife. It never happened. The company canceled the flight twice at the last moment.The first cancellation happened late in the evening the night before the scheduled sunrise flight. They called and reported that they did not have the required number of paying customers. They had days to inform me that the 4 person minimum was a problem but waited until late at night to call. Okay, this situation can happen and I gave them a second chance to fulfill my reservation. We agreed on the next day and time of flight. My wife and I adjusted our plans for this time.
The second time, the flight was canceled literally 2 hours before the appointed time. We were almost in the car to leave for a 1 1/2 hour drive to the meeting place of flight.
Need I say that I am extremely unhappy and my wife was just as unhappy? It was so unpleasant to be so disappointed. Now I still have to spend time on a refund. At this point, I am not certain I will even get a refund since this company is so unreliable. I may have to dispute the charge with my credit card company.
My experience with this company is extremely negative. I highly recommend not entrusting your dream to these unprofessional hands.
Ballooning with this company was a birthday present for my wife. It never happened. The company canceled the flight twice at the last moment.The first cancellation happened late in the evening the night before the scheduled sunrise flight. They called and reported that they did not have the required number of paying customers. They had days to inform me that the 4 person minimum was a problem but waited until late at night to call. Okay, this situation can happen and I gave them a second chance to fulfill my reservation. We agreed on the next day and time of flight. My wife and I adjusted our plans for this time.
The second time, the flight was canceled literally 2 hours before the appointed time. We were almost in the car to leave for a 1 1/2 hour drive to the meeting place of flight.
Need I say that I am extremely unhappy and my wife was just as unhappy? It was so unpleasant to be so disappointed. Now I still have to spend time on a refund. At this point, I am not certain I will even get a refund since this company is so unreliable. I may have to dispute the charge with my credit card company.
My experience with this company is extremely negative. I highly recommend not entrusting your dream to these unprofessional hands.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles S
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Couples
We had a planned flight last Sunday morning. We get a call at 5am saying flight was canceled due to high winds which confused me cause it was 3-4 mph winds , so I went to ask what was considered high when the guy says to me .....if you don't like it buy your own damn balloon and fly yourself damn self. needless to say I was stunned and won't be giving this business any of my money.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
Nashville, TN2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Booked this trip for my mother's 75th birthday, the ride was very lovely, the view magical. However, the pilot owner/operator Shane, was not so lovely. The man does not like to be asked questions. The man who is our host, and pilot, and will profit from our patronage, when asked once to repeat what he mentioned about the balloon, was extremely rude, and stated that he will not repeat himself. Again this happened while on the ground, pressed with another question, from the other group, he responded with, "Google it."
The man who is supposed to be the expert was not keen on explaining pretty much anything. He spoke when he wanted to do so, and that was about it. Given the choices of available aeronauts, I'd recommend looking somewhere else.
Shane, if you read this, consider taking some lessons on customer service.
The man who is supposed to be the expert was not keen on explaining pretty much anything. He spoke when he wanted to do so, and that was about it. Given the choices of available aeronauts, I'd recommend looking somewhere else.
Shane, if you read this, consider taking some lessons on customer service.
Written November 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Interesting the rest of your family wrote 5 star reviews and loved me…
Written November 9, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christine B
7 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We booked a sunrise balloon ride with Aerogelic Ballooning for November 6, 2018 in Phoenix, AZ. We gave our credit card number and were sent two confirmation emails that we needed to be at the Starbucks in Phoenix at 6:15 a.m. for our transport to where we would take off. We arrived at 6:00 a.m. and waited outside for someone to show up to pick us up. It was starting to get light outside, so my cousin called at 6:30 a.m. to find out what the hold up was as far as them picking us up. Tara said they had nobody scheduled for a sunrise balloon ride for November 6th and started laughing saying I don't know how this could have happened after my cousin told her that she (Tara) was the one who scheduled it for us and we had given her our credit card number. She offered us a later balloon ride and said the afternoon rides are significantly more expensive, but that she would give it to us at the same price. My cousin said you would have to do better then that as they had just inconvenienced us by having us up at 4:00 a.m. to leave by 5:00 a.m. so we could make it there in time (we were an hour away from there) and that we had to drive an hour there, an hour back and then drive an hour there and back again so she asked to speak with the owner. We had been looking forward to this our whole trip and left very disappointed to head back to our place to pack our things as we were heading back home the next day. Shane (the owner) did call my cousin back to apologize, however he said you realize you wokeTara up and she was the best office manager he had and couldn't believe she was laughing on the phone or would do this...said he could understand if it was one of the other girls in the office, but never had an issue with Tara. My cousin was very calm and politely told him that we had already booked sunset ride with competitor (Rainbow Ryders) and that she told him that things can only go up for his company from this point...how much worse could it possibly get.
After reading the reviews on Aerogelic when we returned, we were so glad that they didn't come to pick us up. We've read multiple reviews that said the transport van smells like smoke and the pilot smokes in the hot air balloon while you're up there. This would have been horrible for us, as two of us going were severely asthmatic.
The competitor was a much better experience! Lesson learned...do your homework/research before booking excursions!!!
After reading the reviews on Aerogelic when we returned, we were so glad that they didn't come to pick us up. We've read multiple reviews that said the transport van smells like smoke and the pilot smokes in the hot air balloon while you're up there. This would have been horrible for us, as two of us going were severely asthmatic.
The competitor was a much better experience! Lesson learned...do your homework/research before booking excursions!!!
Written November 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Violette54
Payson, AZ5,102 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
A Hot Air Balloon ride was on the Bucket List. A milestone birthday approached and we chose Aerogelic Ballooning to help us cross this item off.
We never actually flew with them, even though everything was set up for an early morning flight with a Champagne Brunch afterward, in early February. We were instructed to meet in a certain location and be transported to the lift-off site, and returned to the meeting place afterward. Departure time moves back to an earlier time-frame as the weather warms and it gets later in the season.
Aerogelic Ballooning flies over the north Phoenix desert.
Each passenger is required to sign a disclaimer and wavier in case of a problem.
Tips are welcomed.
The day before our appointment, we received an email stating that they were canceling our flight. The flight rule is four passengers per flight in order to make it affordable for the company. Couples Only flights are offered, but they are much more expensive and we didn't wish to pay that much. We booked at a rate of $169 per person, which was reserved by credit card, but not charged to the account until the day of the ride, due to unknown weather conditions. Wind is a big problem.
The reason for the cancellation was outlined in the email and we could understand why. The other party, whom we did not know, had had an unexpected death in the family and could not keep this appointment. This was understandable and our condolences go out to them.
So I called and inquired somemore, wondering if arrangements could be made to accommodate our celebration, despite this. Our event didn't change despite the regrettable circumstances of the others.
The Owner/Manager, Andy, offered us a discount of $40 each for a different day but was firm about his cancellation.
My problem was the language in the email. It said that "we were not worth the cost" of flying alone. That it was" too expensive" to fly the balloon for "just us". While this may be true and may be a reflection of business practice, his language was off-putting to me. A service provider may have many reasons to cancel service, but the guests should never be told they aren't worth the effort and it's too expensive for just them.This made our celebration seem insignificant. I told the owner this and I expected them to honor their agreement to us despite the personal costs, as an act of Good Will. The $40 each discount was not enough and the change of date did not work out for us, so we canceled outright.
We will keep this Bucket List appointment, but we will do it with another provider at a different time and place. We understand that ballooning is also done in Tucson and the scenery there is likely to be more interesting than the flat sage brush studded north Phoenix desert.
We never actually flew with them, even though everything was set up for an early morning flight with a Champagne Brunch afterward, in early February. We were instructed to meet in a certain location and be transported to the lift-off site, and returned to the meeting place afterward. Departure time moves back to an earlier time-frame as the weather warms and it gets later in the season.
Aerogelic Ballooning flies over the north Phoenix desert.
Each passenger is required to sign a disclaimer and wavier in case of a problem.
Tips are welcomed.
The day before our appointment, we received an email stating that they were canceling our flight. The flight rule is four passengers per flight in order to make it affordable for the company. Couples Only flights are offered, but they are much more expensive and we didn't wish to pay that much. We booked at a rate of $169 per person, which was reserved by credit card, but not charged to the account until the day of the ride, due to unknown weather conditions. Wind is a big problem.
The reason for the cancellation was outlined in the email and we could understand why. The other party, whom we did not know, had had an unexpected death in the family and could not keep this appointment. This was understandable and our condolences go out to them.
So I called and inquired somemore, wondering if arrangements could be made to accommodate our celebration, despite this. Our event didn't change despite the regrettable circumstances of the others.
The Owner/Manager, Andy, offered us a discount of $40 each for a different day but was firm about his cancellation.
My problem was the language in the email. It said that "we were not worth the cost" of flying alone. That it was" too expensive" to fly the balloon for "just us". While this may be true and may be a reflection of business practice, his language was off-putting to me. A service provider may have many reasons to cancel service, but the guests should never be told they aren't worth the effort and it's too expensive for just them.This made our celebration seem insignificant. I told the owner this and I expected them to honor their agreement to us despite the personal costs, as an act of Good Will. The $40 each discount was not enough and the change of date did not work out for us, so we canceled outright.
We will keep this Bucket List appointment, but we will do it with another provider at a different time and place. We understand that ballooning is also done in Tucson and the scenery there is likely to be more interesting than the flat sage brush studded north Phoenix desert.
Written February 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the opportunity you offered Aerogelic Ballooning to show you an awesome memory. Unfortunately sounds like it didn't go as well as we all had hoped. Please understand that our goal is to fill every every date to accommodate all economy priced flights. Although like any flight service if the flight is not full enough we happily find a flight available for you. We did offer this to you with the same rates, although you declined. I am sorry the customer service didn't feel it was to your needs. If there is any way I can help feel free to call and ask for the owner Shane.
Written September 11, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Resort305184
Phoenix, AZ2 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Wow! Where to start? This was such a bad experience from the very beginning cramped van ride smelling of cigarettes to the ending “champagne breakfast” in a dirt field. Our pilot was extremely rude and smelled like an ash tray and had a cigarette in his mouth at every opportunity. After picking us up at Starbucks and cramming 14 people into a stinky van, we arrived at our launch location. We then stood around for over an hour while the crew attempted to get their equipment to work. At one point, one of the guys left to go buy a spark plug for the fan needed to inflate the balloon. When we asked the pilot what was going on, he was defensive and started talking about him losing money. No apology for the delay or any kindness. They finally got the balloon filled and we crammed into 4 sections of the balloon, 3 people to each section, totally cramped and uncomfortable. I wasn’t even in the same section with my boyfriend! We then spent our time flying extremely low over housing developments by Power Ranch in Gilbert, at one point getting so low, we were sure we were going to land on someone’s roof. Very boring! We landed in a dirt field and the pilot gave us his story about ballooning and champagne, broke out a little table with a gross, dirty tablecloth, “cleaned” his hands with ether and then cut an apple right on the dirty table with his dirty hands (and no mask or gloves). He served some cheap bubbly garbage with juice and left us standing in the dirt while they packed up the balloon. I asked for “light” juice with my bubbly and he said I was ruining his drink and to make it myself. Then they couldn’t even get the basket back on their truck and needed guys from our party to help them. After we were back at Starbucks and were settling our bill, the pilot had the nerve to ASK for a tip for his crew as we were paying. We said no but thank you and didn’t get any response. Possibly one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had!!!
Written November 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewS1303
Edinburgh, UK6 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
As a visitor from the UK I've always found US customer service to be superb and I feel extremely let down by this company. While I fully understand the need to survey the wind at a potential launch site I must say I found watching the pilot finish his cigarette (next to the gas cylinders of a balloon - safety?!) on 3 instances rather monotonous. On the subject of safety , clearly important for this type of venture, one of the crew took a ride in the balloon basket being towed, ducking occasionally when a cop car went past - professional I think not! When we eventually found a site myself and other paying customers were asked to help set up the balloon, surely for the price and the fact we're not meant to be the experts this should have been done for us? Eventually we were told by the office lady who joined us for the trip that due to a change in weather we couldn't make the ride, then the pilot said there was a massive hole in the balloon so we couldn't ride; or maybes they just didn't fancy taking us up for they could have got their stories straight! Now the pilot kept saying they had rented the balloon out to another company last week and they must have caused the hole, surely this should have been checked before shipping 12 customers to various sites in the desert and then finding the tear? To the office lady apparently this is just 'one of those things', I laughed at this, a sudden change of weather meaning we couldn't fly is out with anyone's control and is 'one of those things', inept planning and laziness in not checking the balloon before our flight is definitely not and should have been fully preventable! In short, I could have 'trashed' Aerogelic's reviews but I stated the facts and afforded the company some feedback which I hope they act upon.
One other point worth noting is that the pilot laughed at a few other balloon companies setting up in certain parts of the desert; when we were dumped back at our cars we saw 10 of these balloons flying high on a perfect evening!
One other point worth noting is that the pilot laughed at a few other balloon companies setting up in certain parts of the desert; when we were dumped back at our cars we saw 10 of these balloons flying high on a perfect evening!
Written December 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arnau Alonso Gil
Arenys de Mar, Spain
Hello, I purchased the "Private Sonoran Desert Hot Air Balloon Ride from Phoenix" and after 2 days I've recieved an email communicating me that the booking for it couldn't be confirmed. Should I pick another day? I'd appreciate if you helped me out with this or I guess I'll have to go with another company. Thank you.
Written January 28, 2019
Hi, I understand that this is a Christian company. Is there a religious atmosphere or theme during the balloon ride?
Written January 4, 2017
Some of the balloons say God Bless on them. We cater to all kinds, and provide an amazing expierience for all views or beliefs of people.
Written January 5, 2017
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