Hot Air Ballooning, Phoenix
Last Updated: 7th Sep 2011
by – Alex McCarty, Tour Manager, North America
The Sonoran Desert envelopes the city of Phoenix, and most its suburbs, creating what is widely known as the ‘Valley of the Sun’.
The wildlife here (rattlesnakes, coyotes and several kinds of lizards) is a testament to the harsh and desolate environment where they thrive, and with one of America’s fastest growing cities as a backdrop, all combine to make ballooning in this region of the world unforgettable. In the early morning hours your pilots will drive you from your hotel to the launch site, where you will watch the balloons being inflated. Usually between 6 and 10 people will stand aboard one balloon, as the pilot feeds hot air to the canopy and you begin to rise almost imperceptibly off the ground and toward the heavens.
The actual speed of the wind will determine how high and how far you travel, making hot air ballooning by far the safest mode of air transportation. Some flights reach an elevation of 6000 feet above sea level (well over a mile high!).
Upon landing you and your fellow aviators will receive a traditional ballooning breakfast, (including champagne) for no additional charge.
For a breathtaking and peaceful experience few things can compare to floating over the Arizona desert in a hot air balloon!
Hot Air Ballooning is offered as an optional excursion on Contiki USA Tours visiting Phoenix, while you can also go Hot Air Ballooning in Albuquerque.
Add a Comment Comments (7)
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is there somewhere i can find a cost for this optional extra?
jess85
posted on 29th Sep 2011
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A lot of people wrote just a good feedbacks about this kind of trip. I’ll use essay writing for finding this services.
Explorer1264174
posted on 30th Jun 2011
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Hot Air Ballooning is one of the most amazing thing to do in Phoenix. I love the sunny clear sky there and the beautiful getaway Phoenix Resorts. It is a wonderful place for a relaxing vacation.
Explorer1131868
posted on 16th Apr 2009
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I heard about this when I was vacationing in Phoenix az, but I have not had the opportunity to do it. It sounds like an incredible experience. Anyway, I had a wonderful time in Phoenix and fortunately I was able to stay at a five star Phoenix Hotel Resort, that was quite a treat.
Explorer1130077
posted on 2nd Apr 2009
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we had to be up and out onto the bus by 5.45a so when we got there it was pitch black…...we jumped in and head off and were ale to see the sunrise it was beautiful – you feel like your floating. it was so peaceful and everyone in our basket had a ball !!!! breakfast served was fab and we all had ann unreal time – it is definately one of those MOST DO’s !!!
skaifie
posted on 2nd Mar 2008
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i did this excursion on my tour and i loved it. i was really afraid of heights but if you stand in the middle of the basket and look over rather than looking down yourll be fine.
emma
posted on 26th Dec 2007
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I did this on my Tour back in July 2005 and loved it. I recommend it to everyone. Even if you are afraid of heights still do it. We had a guy in our basket that was afraid of heights and afterwards he was like Im so glad I did that.
Terri
posted on 6th Dec 2007
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