Reviews of Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.. (Travel Agency) in Albuquerque (New Mexico).

Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.

615 Reviews

390 Comments

Travel agency

Balloon ride tour agency

5601 Eagle Rock Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, United States

Description

Information of Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co., Travel agency in Albuquerque (New Mexico)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

Map

Open hours of Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.

Popular times

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Reviews of Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.

Jimmy Ferrazas

Amazing experience and a must when In Albuquerque!! We didn’t go during their annual ballon festival but nonetheless we had a fantastic time!! The kids even enjoyed themselves!! It was my second time up and I’ll say it’s always best to book a ride in a location with great views and Albuquerque didn’t disappoint!! It’s always amazing to see the places you visit from a different point of view. This was definitely worth the money and time!! The pilots are all so knowledgeable and great commentators during the ride! I was amazed to see how talented they are in how they can control the balloons to make sure we have a great experience and get our money’s worth!! They even had some champagne for the adults when we landed, it was a lovely surprise!!

Stephanie Murrell

This was an experience of a lifetime. I was scared but had so much fun. The ride was gentle and smooth. The landing was not as gentle all was worth it. Our pilot Anthony was the best at telling a lot of pun jokes and was educational whenever asked questions. In the end, we had mimosas to share our journey back to land safely. I suggest wearing warm clothes for an early sunrise ride. I felt safe and secure with Rainbow Ryders 🌈 .

Kevin Earley

Loved it! Was a tad nervous leading up to this since I’m not into heights, but it was like looking down on an airplane—no problem! It was really a tranquil experience. Troy, our pilot, was beyond experienced! It he can fly over the Atlantic Ocean over 6 days, surely he could safely navigate an hour with us!! Would absolutely do it again, though my bucket list has been checked!

se SG

It was so much fun and our captain, Chris has lots of experience to make us feel safe. The landing was very interesting that he has to find a good spot since there is not so much control over the direction. Just beautiful and different experience. Our kids, 12, 14 girls loved it too. My young one was a bit nervous but we started pretty low to the ground and it was slow so it was good.

Julie L

This was always something we wanted to do and it was well worth it! We had THE best pilot, Alfred, and crew, Frank and Moe. We launched fast and got high quickly for a wonderful vantage point. Alfred rotated the basket several times during the flight to enable everyone to get 360 degree views. We were excited to spot the Smokey the Bear balloon and Alfred expertly maneuvered us to get close (and Smokey took a pic of us!). Our landing was a complete thrill! He gently landed us in a tiny spot of grass in the middle of a subdivision under construction while Moe and Frank zoomed in to meet us. Too cool!!!

Tee Ragland

Anthony and all the flight crew were helpful and hospitable. Arrival and check in was simple. We then drove to the launch site to do a test balloon. They decided the direction of the wind wasn’t favorable so we moved to a new spot. After that we waited about 20 minutes for set up. We loaded up with 12 people and the pilot. The ascent was smooth, along with the ride. We were able to ask any questions during flight and see the Sandia mountains. We took lots of pictures and videos. They took pictures before flight also. We were in the air for an hour, and it was cold, so dress warmly. Landing was fairly smooth and we were prepping on how to land safely. After that we had mimosas and heard some history of ballooning. It was a great wrap up and bonding moment with our group. Overall, I would highly recommend. I felt safe from beginning to end of the experience. I see why Rainbow Ryders is the #1 rank Hot Air Ballooning.

Ryan Nance

It was so peaceful and calm and gorgeous. The crew at Rainbow Ryders took care of it all so I could just immerse myself in the magic of sunrise hot air ballooning in Albuquerque. Alex, our captain, was sure to give us a heads up whenever there were great photo ops coming up, and there were so many. From dipping the basket (we all stayed perfectly dry) into the Rio Grande to drifting over the Bosque. Even better than I’d imagined. And they capped it off with a champagne toast on the golf course we landed on while the crew stowed the balloon and basket back on the trailer.

Ruth Castillo

Incredible experience!!! Aside from the overall experience of flying, Morghan our captain was THE absolute best! He made sure we were all comfortable and safe at all moments of our experience. He answered all of our questions with enthusiasm and joy. We couldn’t have asked for a better captain on our first ride!!! SO appreciative of Morghan and the crew at Rainbow Ryders! ❤️

Kim Thomas

This was our third flight with rainbow Ryders and our 2nd flight with Elijah Sanchez. This company is so easy to book with, flexible refund policy if weather does not allow flights. Elijah is a very experienced and serious pilot, who know how to navigate ABQ weather. he also makes it fun and enjoyable. Going during Balloon Fiesta is definitely worth it!

リンカーンマシュー

Rainbow 🌈 Ryders is the best. We are so glad we had Gary as our Pilot and not Alfred. Alfred’s balloon 🎈 was flying so low and he went the wrong direction. Gary was a Rockstar 🌟 and did a perfect 5 star ⭐️ landing too. My wife wanted to also mention that Gary’s team was all good looking guys. So Alfred, Gary won 🏆 this round. LoL 😂 …

Vinny R

First time in a hot air balloon. Our pilot, Brad, was nice and accommodating. He answered the various questions we had throughout the trip. I wished our trip was slightly longer and went over the mountains (but don’t think it was possible that day). We had a crash landing at the end but seemed like a fun experience for everyone. Overall good time.

Dayna Deal

Alfred, Ed & Frank were amazing to have this experience with! There was never a doubt going super high in the air with these gentlemen! So much fun and great company with these hard workers! Highly recommend!

Val

Wow! This experience was even better than I could have imagined. From the start Rainbow Ryders made it easy to book the balloon ride and gave clear instructions on what to expect. I went with friends during the ABQ balloon fiesta and on the day of the staff were very accommodating (as we had a booking error they were able to support with). It was so worth the 3 am wake up call to be on time for the 6:30 am meet up. Larry and Ian were the two assigned to the chase team and they were both amazing! Their humor, knowledge, and presence made the experience even better and it felt good to have the same crew with us throughout the day. The view of the fiesta was mesmerizing. I loved being able to be apart of the setup and clean up, allowing for a community feeling between all of the riders. And I must acknowledge the most incredible pilot- Juan Garcia! His energy was infectious and he was so kind and made us feel welcome, comfortable, and entertained. An all around amazing experience, I wish I could relive in real time. I definitely recommend anyone consider to book, it is so worth it!

Fiona Bratvold

Great experience and I got it knocked off the bucket list. They run this adventure wonderfully. We were a little late seeing the sunrise due to people arriving late. There are no words. You just have to experience it. The weather was perfect and we could see for miles. Excellent for any age above 3 years. Champagne, water & juice was offered after the flight. The time just flew by. Glad of the experience.

Alejandro T

One of the best experiences in my life! The entire crew did an amazing job setting up the balloon, preparing for a safe landing, and quickly packing up the balloon. Our pilot Alfred did an excellent job! I felt safe knowing our lives were basically in his hands.

Eric D. Wisdom

What an experience!!! Top notch outfit. The pilots and crews are a class act. They all work as a team to ensure your experience is optimized, safe and educational. It was like a well organized predawn attack. We mustered, assigned pilots and crews, loaded up in our transports and moved out together jockeying for positions on the route to the launch site. Once on site the crew started preflight and readiness activities to ascend into the sky. It was a flawlessly performed ballot only experts could pull off. Captain Morghan and crew set the standard for all to emulate.

Alison Wright

After 3 rescheduled trips to New Mexico, I have to say this company was phenomenal with updating my reservation. Even with a rain day where they had to cancel on us due to weather, their rebooking was quick and efficient. Flying on Thanksgiving, we wound up with a private flight with Damian. He was above and beyond amazing with years of experience and lots of information about the area. We even ended up flying over the volcanoes care of the wind we caught. There was great communication with the local airport and Damian's ground crew who were efficient and skilled when we landed. I was blown away (haha) by the professional, high quality experience and would recommend this particular company for any future flights.

Amit Sharma

This is one of a kind experience. Definitely bucket list. The only problem was that the balloon was on top of city and all you could see was roofs of the houses. They should have these rides a bit outside the city so that ppl can enjoy it more. The pilot was great and made sure the ride didn’t get boring.

Ron Pinion

Totally amazing experience! Perfect customer service every employee there was outstanding!! First air ballon ride and this experience will be hard to imitate!! A special shout out to Damien, “Van” and Ed all vey Top notch people of our flight crew.

Shay Shaked

We didn't know what to expect (balloon rides are not exactly as common as getting pizza) so we did some research, and contacted a couple of places. RR got back to us almost at once and answered our questions fully and to the point. They felt professional from the start. When we wanted to reschedule, there was no problem. When the ride got cancelled due to weather (which happens!) they contacted us, rescheduled with us, and made sure to check us in for the next day. The flight: our pilot, Alfred, was friendly, knowledgeable, professional and kind. He answered all the questions during the flight. At the same time, he was with constant communication with the team on the ground using walkie talkies, and magically managed to land us exactly where he wanted when he wanted. Mimosas at the end were a nice touch after the landing. I highly recommend RR. If you're looking for a balloon flight, you found it. Amazing experience, I'm so glad we did it.

Kristi K

Anthony was our pilot, he was great. The whole experience was amazing. Would definitely do again next time I'm out there.

Kevin H

Floating through the sky in a hot air balloon is the most amazing adventure! It is so graceful and peaceful. My wife has a fear of heights, but even she had a great time, and was not stressed at all during the trip. She was a little apprehensive and stressed beforehand, but once we were underway, it was all good. Definitely recommend!

Christine Wade

One of the most amazing experiences of our lifetime! From the very beginning booking to the champagne toast at the end- this company and crew were first class all the way! Thank you Jacob Little, Lori and Vince and entire staff @ Rainbow Ryders!!! We will never forget this check off our Bucket List! 🧡

Samuel Ojetola

It was a wonderful experience. It felt like we were floating in the air. Take off and landing was so smooth. The pilot Khris was also entertaining.

N S

Rainbow Ryders provided a once in a lifetime experience. From the customer service (Taylor) and rescheduling to our flight team, everyone was AWESOME. Big shout out to our pilot Patrick, who was knowledgeable, funny, witty and full of fun facts and all the ground crew, Frank, Zach and Moe, thank you for amazing memory!

Derek Gregoriev

We wanted to experience the thing Albuquerque is known for so we got a pair of tickets for a balloon ride here. Our pilot was Alberto Salazar and he was extremely knowledgeable and a great guide. From the time we set flight we had full confidence in his abilities and were able to really experience the beauty and the calm of the morning sunrise. It was a great experience I would definitely do it again.

Kathy Hoffman

The ride was beautiful! The team was wonderful. If I ever get the chance I will do this again. Alfred was great. Ground team Frank and Moe were just as great.

alyssa hoo

This company is awesome. I highly recommend spending just a little extra to enjoy the private balloon experience. Neil and Robert were amazing and so full of knowledge of the area and friendly. We will definitely be recommending this experience to our friends and family.

Clover Kismet

We road with Jon, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Flying across the Rio grande, skimming the water like a boat, flying high above the city and landing in a beautiful Golf course. It's a memory I shall never forget! Jon is like the entertaining airline pilot that everybody loves, and his crew works like a well oiled machine, its very fascinating to watch. I definitely recommend this experience! Thank you Jon & crew ⭐x10

L. Estevez

Celebrated my wife's birthday and it was the most PERFECT gift! Jesse our pilot was a ray of sunshine and very professional. We highly recommend this company if you want to do a balloon ride in ABQ!

Ashley Papagno

Highly recommend! We flew during an AM International Balloon Fiesta session, and couldn’t be happier. Pilot J. F. Busque and flight crew Greg & Elroy were professional, friendly, educational, and a great time! Everyone was smiling from start to end. We loved the opportunity to help inflate the balloon and the stories over champagne cheers at the end. Take-off and landing were as smooth as can be, and we felt informed the entire time. Thank you Rainbow Ryders!

Christina H

What a wonderful experience, so glad we booked with Rainbow Ryders. Anthony was a great pilot and the crew was amazing! Highly recommend!!

Brian Jacob

Fabulous experience. Sunrise hot air ballooning in Albuquerque is amazing. The folks at Rainbow Ryders are top notch. Shout out to our pilot J.F. for nailing a picture perfect landing after an hour aloft. For a bucket list adventure, you can't go wrong with these guys

Dalia M

We had a wonderful time with pilot Elijah Sanchez and his friendly crew! It was a beautiful morning, amazing sunrise & views!

Shanela Colon

Flying with Rainbow Ryders was a magical and unforgettable experience. The staff was helpful and kind. We were promptly checked in, safely transported to the take off site, and flown by a very experienced pilot. The basket we traveled in accommodated a total of 12 people, despite this sounding like a lot, my husband and I traveled comfortably. The mountains and the river were amazing sights to behold because of the rising sun. The flight was smooth and beautiful, it lasted about 1 hour. Once on the ground our group toasted to champagne and orange juice, then we received our flight certificates and headed back to the office. Overall, Rainbow Ryders exceeded our expectations and provided us with amazing memories of New Mexico.

W B

What a great time we had besides waking up so early it was a wonderful experience that we will remember forever. Awesome views and the pilot was very nice.

Amber Cook

Beautiful experience! Kris was great, check in was quick and easy & communication was perfect. A must do experience if you're visiting Albuquerque. I just wish they wouldn't pack so many people in such a small basket, you can't move around well to enjoy the whole view.

Eric Kaz

Had an AWESOME flight with Troy (who has amazing accomplishments / stories). My wife and I loved every minute of it - such a serene experience. Highly recommend!

B Lopez

Amazing adventure! Highlight of our trip. You do not feel uneasy at all 3000 feet up! Anthony, our pilot, was very knowledgeable and had a sense of humor, which I appreciate. Got to skim the Rio Grande multiple times. Can't wait to go again.

Stephanie Duda

Overall we were very pleased with our Rainbow Ryder’s experience. The reason for 4 stars is due to the “behind the scenes work”. We originally booked in 2019 for the 2020 balloon fiesta. 2020 was cancelled, so they kept our money and transferred to the following year (fine). 2021 came and our ride was cancelled. Got up very early to get on the standby list and it was again canceled. We were told that we could reschedule for 2022 for the same price or receive 100% refund (even the no refundable $40). Neither of those things happened. My parents opted for the refund and the $40 per person was indeed taken out. My husband and I signed up for 2022 and were charged around an extra $45 due to an increase in price. Very unhappy about this as it was entirely out of our control. For holding our money for 3 years I don’t think it was right to end up charging us more (when we were told it would be the same price). I tried asking to speak to a manager and was told “no, they are going to tell you the same thing.” Frustrating on my end, but enough about the bad. 2022 fiesta came and the weather forecast did not look good for Saturday. We ended up getting on standby another day to get our ride. Chris Marquez helped us with this. This guy had to have been the best worker at the fiesta. So friendly and patient, I really want to shout him out for his help. My other shoutout is to our pilot Patrick Stevens. I don’t have anyone to compare him to, but he has to be the best! He gave us the ride of a lifetime ! Chris and Patrick, thank you for making our experience one we will never forget!

Corey Foster

Hot air ballooning was a truly incredible experience to share with my daughters. Rainbow Ryders went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. Our pilots, Anthony and Greg, were especially fun, informative, accommodating, and skilled. We absolutely can't wait to do it again.

Lauren Mcdonald

Such a great experience! Definitely recommend at sunrise. It's so beautiful and peaceful.

Lauren

I planned a private sunrise flight for my husband's 40th birthday and Rainbow Ryders did a wonderful job! Our pilot was Anthony Lard, and his assistant on the ground was Christian. Both of them were respectful, helpful, and answered any questions we had for them regarding both the balloon and the scenery. Anthony was a great pilot! He made us feel comfortable on our first ride, answered our questions throughout the flight, let us know exactly what to do, helped us in and out of the basket (along with Christian), and was great at navigation. He took us over the river, over beautiful cottonwood trees changing colors for Autumn, and over hills. The view was breathtaking at sunrise, and the entire experience was incredible. Also, he didn't talk the entire time, and knew to let us take in the experience and serenity of the quiet breeze, which I appreciated. When we landed, Anthony gave us a hilarious telling of the history of the hot air balloon, and gave us a toast. It was a beautiful ending to a great experience. Christian was enthusiastic and friendly at 7am (something not everyone can do haha), and his excitement prepared us for our flight so early in the morning. He helped us get into the basket, assured us, and took photos for us before we took off and when we landed. His help was invaluable. He even let us help them put away the balloon, which was a fun hands-on experience. Rainbow Ryders goes above and beyond to ensure that you have a grand time, and their pilots are excellent at what they do. The experience is surely a bucket list one, and will give you a deep appreciation for the beautiful landscape of Albuquerque. Overall, we couldn't recommend them enough!

Nicole K

First time for all of us to experience a hit air balloon and LOVED it! The team was incredible, organized, great info and just thoughtful especially with our friend who had major anxiety before we started. She ended the trip saying she would go again. Thanks Brad for an incredible experience!

Matt Hoppe

Anthony was a very knowledgeable and humorous pilot! Our family had a blast and we highly recommend this awesome activity in Albuquerque!

Amber Cass

Was so much fun and a wonderful experience. Anthony and Greg (I hope it wasn't Gary lol) were amazing pilots, very fun to be around and super welcoming. I will definitely go again when back in Albuquerque.

Jason L

What an amazing experience is all we can say. This is a must do if you are ever in the ABQ area. Rainbow Ryders is for sure the top place to book for one of the best balloon rides you are ever going to get. The private tour is the way to so you are not in a basket with 12 people that you don’t know. Ask for Neil for the pilot and Robert for the crew and sit back and enjoy every moment of this once in lifetime memory. Thanks Rainbow Ryders!

Kathleen Beckman

What an amazing experience. Anthony, the pilot, was Anthony. It was the best way to start any morning. The sights were terrific, and his knowledge of the area was also delightful. They have a military discount, which was a bonus. The whole experience was a birthday gift to our daughter in law. The champaign today at the end was a nice bonus.

8thousand Miles

Our ride was smooth and fabulous with pilot Alfred and crew. They are very professional and well-coordinated, you are in great hands, highly recommend Rainbow Ryders!

Ana Douglas

Super cute! This was such an amazing experience our pilot Alfred was great! Even my friend who was scare of heights had the best time! 10 out of 10 would recomend

Rebecca Collins

It was a great experience with Rainbow Ryders! Alfred was our pilot and he was very kind, informative, and funny. The whole staff was awesome, and the post flight toast and refreshments were greatly appreciated. I highly recommend going with Rainbow Ryders for your hot air balloon flight experience!

Tricia Brock

We made a last minute booking for the sunrise flight and everything was perfect! Anthony was our pilot and he was extremely confident and had some great jokes for us. The crew was great and I loved every part of this experience! Don’t even question if you should book a flight, the answer is 100% yes!

Katie Miller

So amazing! Alfred was our pilot. Smooth and beautiful ride.

Wanderlust Queen

The experience of a lifetime! You will have to pay half of the fee upfront to book reservations and have upon landing to Pilot! Overall you won’t have any worries the staff is very friendly and professional they will answer any questions of flight prior to boarding Hot Air Ballon Ride! It was a wonderful experience up in the Air so calm and relaxing you will feel like you’re literally float on a cloud! You will see the beautiful Sunset and The landing was awesome what a trill we even got to see a few wildlife and spy over people backyard but not in a creepy way of course! Brace yourself it’s Epic and yes the serve Breakfast snacks and champagne after landing so much fun!

Michael Baca

We love watching balloons fly over our house daily and decided...why not book a flight and experience what others seem to enjoy. We booked a flight (which was easy) for Father's Day and were excited all week long. We had to meet at the office by 5:15am and about 15 minutes later we were on our way to the launch site. The crew set up the balloons quick, and we were off! We were a bit nervous but we were quickly surprised that the whole ride was smooth. Our pilot Dean made the flight even more enjoyable. Worried about Covid-19? Rainbow Ryders provided temperature checks, masks, sanitizer, hand washing stations and had enough room in their garage area for people to be socially distant. They even put up clear barriers in their gondolas. Getting up early might be a challenge for people, but the views of Albuquerque are breathtaking, and the Rainbow Ryders crew make the flight even more awesome, so sacrificing sleep is well worth it. We will definitely be booking more rides in the near future!

Chris Taylor

Great experience flying with Rainbow Riders and our guide through the sky, Kris! Super professional group, made quick work of the balloon launch, dropped us in a beautiful park (they may not have control over landing location but we got lucky!!), and provided a first class experience throughout! Definitely check these guys out if you’re looking for a hot air balloon ride in Albuquerque or any of their other locations!!

Sharath Bennur

Fantastic experience all around. They're expensive but they do such a good job, that you almost don't mind. Great communication while booking and throughout the process, they called to confirm the rides. Once we got there, we got into one of their vans and drove to the launch area (undeveloped land next to a strip mall). Our pilot was great, good explanations and clear directions. We had a great flight and it always feels safe and professional. Highly recommended.

Kendal May

They are fantastic!! In our flight we had married couples, kids, and everyone had fun. Our pilot- Troy- was fantastic and has broken 64 world records relating to the balloons. The service was great, the flight was great. Don't leave Albuquerque without doing this!!!

Teri Webb

What an incredible experience! Our balloon ride went off exactly as planned, and was incredibly enjoyable. I had been warned that landings could be rough, and ours was completely smooth and gentle. Our pilot Tom was great and personable, telling stories throughout our flight. The entire thing, from booking, to travel, to flying, and returning back to the offices was handled professionally and smoothly. Definitely would fly with these guys again.

Elizabeth Investor

This was my BUCKET LIST!! Thanks Rainbow Ryder's for making it come true..AND for the best ride and PILOT ever BRAD RICE absolutely the best. He made sure we had a great time. He used a app to show how high we went and the route we took. At the end of a SOFT landing we had a toast and repeated the Balloonist prayer.. Rainbow Ryder's also made sure we got to ride together as a family. WHAT a EXPERIENCE of a life time. I would do it again in a heart beat! and may I add please tip your pilot... just my thought! They don't ask but hey why NOT! Thank you Brad Rice! SIDE NOTE: Brad needs a raise ;-)

Camille Williams

✔️ off the Bucket list! The experience was fun and relaxing.

Google User

Word cannot express the experience my family and I had on our sunrise balloon ride! Our oldest daughter has always wanted to go on a balloon ride since she was little so my husband and I decided to surprise her for her 13th birthday. We are so glad we chose Rainbow Riders for this experience! Everything was a breeze from booking to the end of the experience. We mentioned at time of booking that we were celebrating a birthday and they unknowingly to us, but a Happy Birthday banner for our daughter which made the surprise extra special to all of us. Everyone was so friendly and upbeat. We were pleased with the safety measures they take, the clear crash balloon riding 101 crash course we received and hearing all about beautiful Albuquerque from our Pilot Dean. We are locals so its nice to know that he is giving such spot on and heartfelt history of our city. Dean was awesome and just made our experience more enjoyable! He interacted, joked, laughed and shared his knowledge with us during the flight. You could tell how passionate he is about what he does. The flight crews worked so well together and communicated throughout. All around, this is by far the company to go with when considering a flight. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Dean, the crew and Rainbow Ryders for such an unforgettable experience and for sharing our daughter's milestone birthday with us. P.S. The splash n dash was something we would have demanded a refund for (lol) had we not done it. THAT was definitely a must do and hands down my favorite part. Dean did it flawlessly, You Rock!

Steven Francque

Early wake-up, but TOTALLY WORTH IT. Alfred and his team provided a seamless, breathtaking experience and one you will not soon forget. Just watching the process of transporting the gear, prepping the balloon and getting aloft is worth the price of admission alone. Tremendous!!

Lindsey Howell

Amazing experience and great people to work with. Made everyone feel comfortable through the ride and did a great job explaining things and answering questions. Very knowledgeable. At the end of the ride we all toasted with champagne! Would definitely love to go up in a balloon again, especially during Balloon Fiesta.

Tammi Miller

One of greatest experiences ever done! Would do it a million times over. Our Pilot Kris was awesome. Kris took us over 10,000 feet up & was a great guide explaining everything. My husband & I loved watching Sunrise over mountain & entire time!

Tay T

Did this as a Birthday Celebration. So much fun. Early sunrise flight. They had a Birthday banner adorn the basket in my honor. Very Informative and fun guide Dean added to the experience with his outgoing personality. They provided sunset mimosas at the end and transportation back to the actual lot where your car is parked.

Jackie J Mixon-Johnson

I took my 2nd ride with them and it was absolutely awesome. Chris did a wonderful job as our pilot. Looking forward to my next ride!!!

Nels Sorensen

What an incredible experience! I learned that I knew absolutely nothing about hot air balloons at all but was educated very well by the staff of Rainbow Ryders. Our pilot, Dean and chase crew, Doug and Tyler were professional, fun and informative. The only drawback to the sunrise ride is having to get up at 4 a.m. but that's only because I'm not a morning person. However, watching the sun rise over the Sandia Mountains was worth every minute I had to wake up early over sleeping in.

Stephanie Ragon

Visiting from Texas and had to take my parents on this adventure. Ow we will alwaya have this memory. Thank you Rainbow Ryders for this bucket list check off. We arrived early for the sunrise air balloon ride. We were greeted and signed our waivers and soon were off to the launch point. Our guide Alfred was amazing and made everyone feel a sense of comfort and exitement as he guided us through the clear New Mexico skies. The sunrise over the mountains was priceless. So glad my parents agreed to do this with me. Our landing was smooth and the best part was the tree. 😉 We toasted after we landed and to find out why this is a tradition, you need to take a ride. You only live once. What are you waiting for?

Raheel Ali

Albuquerque is the best place to fly on a hot air balloon. Paul P. was an awesome pilot. We really enjoyed our sunrise flight and believe it is the best time to do so.

Maria Mc

Amazing experience. We got great winds. The ride lasted over an hour. We floated relatively near mountains and over the Rio Grand. The ride is smooth peaceful and relaxing.The guide beyond professional. I hated when it ended.

Xavier Ching

Had a great time doing the sunrise balloon ride. Started off early in the morning at the Rainbow Ryder's where we met with the group we were flying with and then driven to the launch site. Really cool to see the balloon get set up and inflated. Floated around ABQ checking out the sites for about an hour before landing and getting picked up by the RR crew. They then packed the balloon as we had champagne before heading back to the hq. Our pilot was Troy Bradley and he was great at making sure we had a comfortable and enjoyable flight. #☑️Bucketlist

Donovan Rush

We had so much fun on this excursion. This was a "bucket" list item for sure. They were the right kind of serious on safety and you should know that going in. However, they made it so much fun as well. Our pilot, Dean, was teaching us a little history and how to (not steer) but turn and get the balloon to go in the direction you want (hopefully). We had a toast (Albuquerque Sunrise) at the end of the ride and we could not have been more happy about this trip. Thank you to the whole crew for giving us this memory and enough photo ops to put a video on youtube.

Tao Tames

Shout out to Alford, Frank and Mo. My wife and I absolutely loved the experience. 10 out of 10 would do it again and we recommend everyone to book with RainbowRyders 👌👌👌 …

Jae D

This was a great bucket list experience, where it's worth every penny and some to add in. Paul was our very knowledgeable pilot, with tons of flight experience in his career, so we felt comfortable with the flight. The entire team was friendly and provided great customer service, where everyone flying with us had an enjoyable time. Make sure you book in the morning, as the sunrise is beautiful and the landscape is around mind blowing. Book your experience and you wont regret it!!!

jacquiwolf

A must do in ABQ! Troy is quite an accomplished pilot and we had a great flight. Low over the river and high above the city, and landing in a random empty lot! Smooth ride, nice folks, and a champagne toast!

David Sherwood

Rainbow Ryders gave an excellent hot air balloon experience! We were bussed from HQ to the launch site and watched our balloon being filled and floated. We quickly climbed into the basket. Excellent views from up high or rooftop/treetops level! We also did five touchdowns in the Rio Grande River. Once landed, we had a champagne toast before being bussed back to HQ. Awesome experience!

Rachel Wilmoth

We had a fantastic flight during the 2019 Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Our pilot, Patrick Stevens, was excellent and the two guys from the flight crew were friendly and funny. The winds were in our favor and we were able to stay aloft for about and hour and a half. We got some great pictures. Our landing was very bumpy (and a little scary), although I recognize that was due to winds on the ground. One passenger lost her glasses on one of the bumps, but Patrick and the flight crew were willing to help her look for them. I'd definitely book another flight with Rainbow Ryders in the future (though I would hope for lighter winds to make for a softer landing).

Omar Flores

Incredible experience we'll never forget. I've lived here my whole life and always thought a baloon ride was out of my reach until found these folks. We did the Sunrise flight with Paul and had nothing short of an amazing time. One tip of advise is to not book until you know what the weather will be like before and at least 1-2 days after the date you want. Wind will ground your flight! Look for a day that is clear or partly cloudy with little to no wind.

Bonnie Phifer

I went for my first balloon ride and loved it!

Barb Miller

My fiend. D I went on a terrific ride with Kris as our pilot! He was wonderful and very experienced. Landing was smooth and on target. It was amazing! I would definitely recommend them for a truly beautiful, exciting experience! The views in Albuquerque were wonderful. Thanks Kris!!!

Craig Smallegan

A really fun time! The ground crew was really hard working and the pilot was quite funny. It was all a bit shorter than I anticipated, we were back at their facility by about 9 or 9:30 and we were the last group to land and return. But still an awesome sight to see and definitely worth doing.

Freddie Hernandez

This has been an unique experience if you ever visit Albuquerque you definitely want to do the balloon 🎈 ride …

Stephanie Thomsen

I am afraid of heights and our pilot, Alfred was spectacular. After just a few minutes he gave me confidence to proceed on the ride of a lifetime! Truly an expert, he took us over beautifully green ABQ and made sure we all had a great time. Alfred, Frank, and John made sure that we had a smooth landing and of course a celebratory toast at the end! What an experience, I highly recommend it!!!! ❤️

zachary berkowitz

What an amazing experience! These guys definitely have it down to a science. Would definitely recommend this company.

Avani Jain

One in life time experience. Process of booking was easy. Took care of all safety measures. They took us to launch site and also gave us experience of how actually balloon is blown and not only just ride. Very hard working and nice crew. Must do your bucket list experience.

Carol Spicer

My family and I checked an item off our Bucket List at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The pilot Moses has 24 years of experience. Moses and his Chase Crew ensures that we had a time of our lives. This event is a must for for all ages.

Robyn Breshears

We took a private flight for 4 today and had an amazing experience. Our pilot, Adam McLinton, and his chaser, Robert, are great at their job, at being hosts and at making your special day memorable. They answered questions, shared information about the sport of hot air balloons, topped off our ride with champagne and a special Irish prayer at the end. We are very happy with our experience and being able to check off a bucket list item.

Quincy Marshall

This by far was definitely the best experience of my life!! It was definitely worth the time and money!! I highly recommend it. JF and his crew are the best!!

Keith Sanders

Beautiful views. Lots of fun. The pilot pointed out lots of stuff and was very friendly. They even serve mimosas when we landed!

Sam Gao

Awesome ballooning experience with Alfred! The price was reasonable and the service was great! Alfred was professional and the landing of the balloon was smooth and precise. Champagne was also provided afterwards.

Bailey Alto

I had a fantastic experience with Alfred and Rainbow Ryders. Great views, good conversation and a flawless landing!

Jake

Had a blast! And our pilot was awesome! This is a must if you can.

Alphonso Burton

Great place to go for a new experience especially if you have never been in a balloon..had a great time both times I have went here would definitely do it again. Staff is great and pilots even greater!

Nicole Bolick

I had the best time during a ride at the Balloon Fiesta with Rainbow Ryders. Brian was my pilot and did an amazing job! If you are looking for a balloon ride you are in great hands with Rainbow Ryders!

Bryan Sandoval

Awesome experience!! Felt very safe up in the clouds. our pilot JF was great, entertaining, informative on his credentials and experience being a pilot.

Derrick Rose

This was definitely a bucket list item for us. We decided to do the Labor Day Liftoff ride and it was well worth every penny! Not only was being in the balloon incredible, but lifting off with hundreds of other balloons was magical. The staff were very helpful and communication is a strong point of theirs. Our pilot was extremely knowledgeable and kind. Definitely recommend!

Erin Freeman

Had a great time and felt safe and at ease with Dean as our pilot. He was both experienced, and personable as he chatted with our group throughout the ride. Would definitely recommend.

Mark Chamberlain

This was our family’s first Balloon ride and Kris was our awesome and very full of knowledge Balloon Astronaut (because he goes the highest). Rainbow Ryders set up was very organized and flowed well, highly recommend this establishment 😉 …

Therese Marcel

WOW! Amazing adventure with Dean and his crew! Breathtaking ride overlooking the Rio Grande with the Sandias in the back drop! From the moment we arrived till the moment we ended our adventure with an Irish toast it was awesome!

Darlene Blake-McPherson

Highly recommend to experience the hot air balloon looking out and over the basket. The guide J Bueno was funny had jokes, knowledgeable and had confidence made me feel comfortable in the air with fire over my head L.O.L. to watch the sunrise as we lifted off. Great experience. I will recommend Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Ballons. As Tony the Tiger would say "It's Grrrreat!!" Darlene from Florida

Julia Green

Beautiful views! Not scary at all! The heat from the balloon made it not as cold as we expected. The guide was amazing and it was so peaceful.

Mihaela Carmen

Wow! My first ride and I love it. I only wish they were in time to be up for the sunrise. We only admired it from the car but it should have been up there as promised. Other than that very professional, nice, safe, welcoming and rewording.

Ismael Gutierrez-N II.

"Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co" made it a smooth and pleasant experience. The route was mesmerizing and captured Albuquerque's most iconic treasures. The tour made the price well worth it. Our tour guide, Brad, made the journey a memorable one.

Shilpa Thacker

Thank you Kris for the wonderful experience and graciously answering our queries. It was one of the best experiences of our lives. The champagne and certificate were the cherry topping. A must experience for all.

luis barrera

Best way to see alburqueque! Our pilot Dean was amazing!! He was hilarious and very informative! Rainbow riders for life !!

Steven Ballance

Amazing sunrise balloon ride. Our pilot, Alfredo, and the crew were friendly and great to fly with.

Jen Ganson

This was a bucket list item and RR surely delivered an amazing experience. They were helpful, organized, full of really interesting information and eager to make sure we had a great time. I highly recommend!

Brian Borawski

Reasonable price. Very courteous and respectful. We had a wonderful experience.

Nirav S. Desai

Troy was an excellent pilot and guide. I highly recommend this experience. It's a great way to see Albuquerque and a memorable lifetime experience.

James Perkins

It was a really unique and great experience. The pilot Alfred Salazar was knowledgeable.

Ro

I was surprised at how smooth the ride was and so beautiful! The pilots and ground crew were just awesome. Definitely do this!

Mike Surrett

Went up with them in Albuquerque for a wonderful flight with our pilot Gary. It is a wonderful way to see the city and would recommend everyone do it. I do feel I was misled about the Military discount. In reply to Response from the owner - You could have kept your word about the value of the Military discount, I was offered only 25% of what I was to it would be when I made my reservation. **Military members get discount in writing before making reservation or look somewhere else.

Rick Noble

It was the first flight for 3 of us. We really enjoyed it! ALFRED and his crew were extremely kind and professional. We would highly recommend taking a flight with Rainbow Ryders!

Shawna Johnson

The experience was amazing from start to finish! They have multiple packages to choose from and you get a ton of photos to remember the experience. The best part of Rainbow Ryders was the team that flies there. Anthony was our pilot and he was professional, friendly and very knowledgeable (as was the rest of the crew). Whether I was in the balloon or on the ground, I always had a smile on my face. He was was always cracking a joke, sharing amazing photos, or telling an epic stories. I thought I would be checking hot air balloon ride off my bucket list and continuing on to the next adventure but I will totally be returning for another ride, definitely recommend!

A.Demetrius Payne

Amazing experience! Pilots you can trust and views you won't soon forget.

Jordan Dettlaff

We had a lot of fun. Tom was a great balloonist and made the ride very enjoyable. Definitely recommend to anyone considering. Rainbow Ryders know what they are doing, very professional and safe.

Angelina Keck

What an amazing ride. These guys really know what they are doing and I was surprised to know they have pilot licenses!

Sara

Dean and his team were great! We had such a smooth take off and landing and saw some beautiful sights. Safety was a priority for rainbow ryders.

Kirk Bratvold

An unforgettable experience, managed safely and expertly by their friendly staff.

Doug Mc.

Jessie was awesome. Had a wonderful time on the balloon ride. Beautiful sunrise and landscape on the flight. Would highly recommend Rainbow Ryders.

Lynette Alexander

Nice “sunrise” balloon ride! The staff and seasoned pilot were friendly! A bit chilly in January at 25 degrees but it was actually warmer once in the air. It was our first experience and we were pleased we had decided to do this! It was half the cost as what it is in Sedona. There were 8 of us in the balloon basket, 9 with the pilot. Flight was about an hour. Enjoyed the views!

DarkMatter mobile gaming

Pilot was great and was just an awesome experience,ticked one off my wifes bucket list!

Marivel Portillo

Amazing! Our Pilot Kris was experienced and knowledgeabl,full of jokes and made the process easy,safe and fun. Visiting from Texas and it was beyond beautiful to see the NM sunrise from the balloon. My boyfriend surprised me for our anniversary purchased the tickets a week in advance and Rainbow Ryders was even accommodating adding a sign wishing us a happy anniversary. Overall I’m very happy with the company, service and my overall experience. I would definitely do it again! Waking up super early was worth it.

Karina Salas

Definitely checked off the bucket list! Worth every penny, amazing views.

Kim Toomer

The service was amazing, JF and his team were awesome. The morning view breath taken and the ride was smooth sailing. The crew kept us safe from start to finish.

Domenic Salinaro

At first I was saying to my wife what have you got us into. But the flight was outstanding. Chief piolet Troy really knows his stuff. Land was very smooth with no bouncing or tipping over. Outstanding company and I would recommend them to anyone.

Doug Ludington

Breath taking! A fun adventure that my sweat heart and I will never forget.

Melody Vo

Amazing experience!!!! If you're in the area this is a bucket list experience. Brad and the team are extremely professional and the experience will carry for a lifetime.

Octavious Bartek

The staff and pilot here at Rainbow Ryder's in Albuquerque were very professional. Alfred, who was our pilot, was so nice and considerate to all the passengers and the flight operations staff. He asked several times while up in the air if everyone was still alright with the altitude and brisk weather. I would highly recommend to anyone to book with Rainbow Ryder's as the price and service was exceptional. As soon as you land you are offered mimosas as a toast to a fun and successful trip. Again, such great service! Thank you Rainbow Ryder's for an excellent experience.

Sharon Ault

Fabulous ride. Dean, our pilot, and Frank, Chase crew, were great!

Alexandra Alderete

This company is very professional and strives for customer satisfaction! I scheduled a sunset flight that was, unfortunately, cancelled due to weather conditions. They called me the day before my flight to let me know and offered me the next availability to reschedule. They give you all the information you need! When I arrived and met with Brad and the crew, they were very friendly and made my first flight very easy! They did everything they could to beat the incoming storm and still gave us an awesome experience! As a native New Mexican, I am fortunate to see balloons and attend balloon fiesta every year, but this was a very special experience!

Susie Moskowitz

Dean was a great guide. Very well run operation. Great views. Nice touches. Fun guide and great crew Super safe. #rainbowryders

Krista Kibler

We had a blast! We went for my moms birthday. Our Pilot, Troy Bradley, and crew, Greg and Doug were so nice and knew what they were doing. I would 10/10 recommend to anyone. Even if you’re scared of heights- do it!!! Don’t be intimidated, Once you’re up there it’s magical! We were lucky and The weather was perfect for our flight. The champagne toast at the end was the perfect “flight cap” ha! Amazing experience.

Laurie Rigg

We had a fabulous flight with Rainbow Ryders. Our pilot, Alfred, was very knowledgeable and performed one of the best landings. The flight crew worked hard to make sure we had the best experience. I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders.

Khrystyna Kalyta

This is our first balloon flight. We had a wonderful time with pilot Anthony Lard! It was a wonderful, beautiful morning, amazing sunrise & views!

Miranda Castleberry

Amazing experience! Thought I would be terrified since scared of heights BUT I wasn’t! Great experience staff put me at ease. Champagne after was a nice surprise!

Audrey Pienton

JF and the Crew were fantastic for our flight. Everyone was incredibly nice, prompt and we were able to view a beautiful sunrise. JF shared some wonderful stories and wowed us with his knowledge of flying. Soft landing followed by champagne? Can’t be beat. Would recommend to all my visiting friends and family!

Gerry Doherty

I would recommend them to anyone. Our captain John was fantastic ! Very professional, knowledgeable and a super nice guy. Plenty of room in the basket. It was exciting and peaceful at the same time. Reasonably priced, compared to my home state of Michigan. Worth every penny !

Leah Colston

One of the best experiences of my life! If you're on the fence, just do it.

Jack Moore

We enjoyed our 25 wedding anniversary with a sunrise balloon ride! Elijah was very impressive and Robert our chaser crew is the GOAT (greatest of all time)! Thank you both for a great time!

yi li

It was amazing and unforgettable experience, you have to try it, it’s pretty safe and the employees are so friendly and helpful 👍🏻 …

Brian Clark

We took a sunrise balloon ride, and it was nothing short of amazing! Our pilot and balloon crew were knowledgeable and made us feel really safe. Our pilot, J.F., made the experience outstanding with his sense of humor and facts about ballooning in ABQ. It was one of the highlights of our week-long trip, and I would recommend this experience to everyone!!

Doug Plumeri

Had an amazing experience! I believe our captains name was Damien. Professional, Safe and Funny!

James Murray

It was a fantastic ride. Glad l did this. What impressed me besides the efficiency and personable crew was the calmness up 4500 feet in the air. I expected my hat to blow off my head but it didn't. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Jarryth Skeen

Was an awesome ride Chris is a great pilot enjoy my time

Adrianna Navarro

We just had our first hot air balloon ride experience for our anniversary and it was amazing! Our pilot was Alfred Salazar, he was great! Made us feel comfortable and he was very knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend and we will definitely come back again!

Alyssa Alderman

From booking to checking in to the actual flight, everything was great!!! I highly recommend paying extra and doing a private basket, makes it much more comfortable and special. Our pilot was Neil and our chaser/crewman was Robert and both were excellent! My mom and I went on an early morning flight in Albuquerque on 9/20/2020 and despite being nervous since we had never done this, we ended up having the best time!! Both gentlemen were extremely professional, friendly, knowledgeable and just all around fun to experience a hot air balloon ride with. Don't walk, run to this great time in Albuquerque at Rainbow Ryders!!

Tracy Xu

Amazing trip! We were with Pilot Chris who is very professional, knowledgeable and kind. I would like to strongly recommend Rainbow Ryders in Albuquerque. With its avantages(stable air flows, no skyscrapers..) Albuquerque is very suitable for hot balloon riding.

Andrea Moffett

Highly recommend! Our pilot, Dean Donley, was incredible and very professional, and the chase crew was as well. The entire experience was breathtaking and the customer service was awesome! It was extremely obvious that our safety was the top priority. If you're in any city with Rainbow Ryders, this absolutely has to be in your itinerary!

Andy Frisby

My very first time in a hot air balloon and it was a wonderful experience! I highly recommend Rainbow Ryder.. I was a bit jittery PreFlight the pilot Alfred set me at ease and I was able to enjoy the entire experience. Can't visit Albuquerque without taking a hot air balloon ride and I would highly recommend the professional friendly and skilled Rainbow Ryders Co. DON'T MISS THE CHANCE TO CHECK IT OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST!

E Beth

What a wonderful experience! Surprised my husband for his birthday with a sunrise trip. Very friendly, helpful staff. Absolutely loved that they also provided champagne for the passengers to toast after their trip. Chris was a great pilot and we will definitely be back! Thank you. Definitely recommend!

Eric St Jean

This review is for a sunrise ride my partner and I had with them almost two years ago! They did such a great job I had to give credit where it is due! There isn't anything bad I can say about the company or the experience! They have the whole shebang down to a science! From filling the balloons, to the landing, the entire ride was exciting! A big thanks to the crew that we were with Paul, Adam, and Andrew! Great job guys!

Thomas Herchline

Fabulous ride. Our pilot Alfred was friendly and was happy to answer all our questions.

candice lubin

I would give more than 5 stars if I could. Was scheduled for a morning ride with Kris and he determined it was not safe to fly so my group rescheduled for the afternoon flight. Kris made our whole group feel comfortable the whole time I almost forgot I hated heights. Thanks to Kris and DC for making our flight experience so amazing.

Darlene Holubetz

Living in Upstate NY, for decades I have said when we visit New Mexico we will take a hot air balloon ride in the “Ballooning Capital of the World.” Finally our “bucket list amazing adventure” came true as a pandemic vacation! It was easy to book and confirm the flight. There were no hidden costs just a per person rate. Our very qualified pilot, JF Busque, was extremely qualified as well as personable and safety was #1 priority. The ground crew was very quick in setting up and taking down. Our flight was a special experience that was enjoyable and memorable ending with a champagne toast. The entire early morning experience from start to finish was a 10 out of 10.

Chase Carter

This was the best part of our trip. I would definitely recommend to anyone that is visiting Albuquerque. The flight team we had, Kris and Adam, were wonderful. Kris, the pilot, was a real pro and treated the flight like what it likely was for us, a once in a lifetime experience. 5 stars!

Stephen Box

Having Jean Francois as our pilot was a special treat from a historical perspective. (Saying more would spoil his post flight monolog!) The crew were very accommodating and professional. We look forward to our next trip to Albuquerque and hope to fly with them again. Merci beaucoup.

Sagar Thakur

Amazing experience! Stunning views, friendly staff and safety first. Alfred (pilot), Doug and John thanks for making this great fun! #bucketlist

Caitlyn Kohake

We rode with Jacob and had an amazing experience. He was very knowledgeable and great at his job. AJ and DC were part of the team to prepare and retrieve the balloon and that were awesome as well! Best experience ever and would do it again!

Brock Tice

We had a great flight with Dean! This is a very professionally run operation and I would recommend them without hesitation.

Suraj Hebbar

One more thing off bucket list! Thanks Rainbow Ryders and Elijah our pilot

Dawn Ames

What can I say! Rainbow Riders of Albuquerque you are an amazing group of people! You gave Two Essentail Health Care workers a free ride out of the kindness and generosity of your hearts! Thank you for showing your appreciation to those of us on the front lines of this Covid-19 Pandemic. I decided to take my ride on my Birthday weekend and boy what a way to Celebrate!😍 From the time we walked in the door to the time we left, Rainbow Riders Staff especially Kris Braden made us feel like family! You all went above and beyond to make our experience extra special! The Balloon Ride was PERFECT! It was exactly what I had in my head and then some! The weather was perfect with a notoriously beautiful New Mexico sunrise over the Sandia Mountains! From lifting off from the Rio Grande Bosque, flying along the tree tops, dipping down for a Splash-n-Dash on the Rio Grande River to reaching various heights over Albuquerque and being able to experience the Beauty and Splendor of the Bosque, The city of Albuquerque, the Petroglyphs, the Sunrise capping over the Sandia Mountains and seeing the surrounding various mountain peaks on high! To witnessing a young couple get engaged, flying over my home and nieghborhood and landing in the Ladera golf course in my backyard! What an EXHILARATING EXPEREINCE!😍 I wanted to give special thanks Kris Braden our pilot. You gave us a perfect flight from the lift off, to the verbal tour of our surroundings, to the Splash-n-Dash to the perfect landing! YOU ROCK!😍 THANK YOU SO MUCH RAINBOW RIDERS FOR THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE! VIVA RAINBOW RIDERS!!!😍😍😍

David F

Had a great experience. Friendly and knowledgeable crew. I would recommend this company to others.

ChopsandToots

Awesome experience. Alfred was super knowledable and personable - he made me feel completely at ease with all of his experience in his job. We arrived at 6:15 and we drove to the location very shortly after. Take off was very timely and seeing the sunrise was incredible. Would absolutely recommend, amazing experience. Be sure to hold tight for the landing! ;)

Matt

Expensive, but one of my best experiences ever. Definitely a bucket list item to check of. Staff are super knowledgeable and professional.

Rita Nietfeldt

I loved it! Anthony was our pilot and he was alot of fun. When we started to land we ended up over his next door neighbor's house. I bet he won't forget us. Then when I got out of basket I jumped in my husband's arms. I almost knocked him down. I was fun though! I tell everyone to go.

A.T. Pike

We took my mom for a balloon ride as a birthday gift. Best money I've spent in a good while. The prep was fun (I got to help!), the flight was serene, the packing up was fun, the champagne toast at the end was great. Absolutely zero complaints of any kind.

Tessa Holmes

Elijah was the best hot air balloon pilot, probably in the world. Along with his crew of Zacary and Jared they had us in the air and back on the ground with ease. My friends and I had a blast and loved to be taught about the process of putting up the balloon, the landscape around us, and the history. I don’t want to inflate their egos but we could not imagine having any other experience.

rheanna freese

Kris was super friendly and very informative of the area. They made everything easy. Would definitely go again!

Sara Acree

This company practices with utmost professionalism and compassion and tremendous consideration of special needs. I will trust no one else like Rainbow Ryders. You are in great hands with this crew. How refreshing to deal with this degree of kindness and attention to detail. My hats off to the whole team!!!

Gil Engelhardt

Wow! What an amazing experience. Check another thing off the bucket list. The staff was extremely professional, well trained and took incredible care of us. The day could not have been better. They took us out to a field to launch and we went up in a 4 person balloon for about 1.5 hours, slowly drifting northward over Albuquerque with incredible views of the nearby mountains. Their attention to detail and safety was paramount, aside from providing a memorable experience. After landing, we were treated to champagne and orange juice to celebrate the awesome day and experience. Very memorable. Thanks a bunch guys!

Beth Hicks

Had an exceptional experience today with Chris Smart and his great crew! Chris is a professional pilot with 27 years of experience! We had a private ride and it was worth every dollar! We were given a hot breakfast and warm tent to sit in before our ride. The staff at Rainbow Ryders were very helpful and pleasant!

LRS

I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders if you are planning a balloon ride in Albuquerque. Very well run, established business. The staff are friendly, and competent and it was very easy to make reservations and to learn what to expect the day of the flight. They check in with you the day before to confirm expectations and to see if you have any questions a. Simple check-in with little waiting time before we loaded and headed out to the take-off point. Our pilot, Troy, was fantastic and very skilled. As a year-around business with several locations, they can attract and keep excellent pilots. I applaud all of the staff for patiently and happily dealing with a crowd of sleepy clients in the dark on a 32 degree morning.

Pete Hamilton

It was a great experience! Up to about 1700 feet and down to brushing the tree-tops and almost touching the surface of the river! We felt very safe with the obvious expertise of our pilot -- he was not only very skilled, he was good at keeping us informed as to what he was doing, where we were going, and what we were seeing. And his landing was perfect -- squeezing into a vacant parking lot that didn't seem to have much extra room! I recommend Rainbow Ryders to anyone wanting the thrill of a lifetime!

Bob Bowles

A once in a life time must do adventure. Rainbow Ryders has this down to an art. Very well organized and a lot of Fun. Don’t pass up the chance.

Stanley Fonseca

Spectacular, majestic, exceptional, fabulous, fantastic are mere words to describe hot air ballooning with the rainbow riders. Our Pilot, Kris, fit these words and more. The ride, views, splashing and dashing in the Rio Grande in Albuquerque were absolutely beautiful and awesome. If you want to check off a huge part of your bucket list, this is a MUST! The flight team (Nicole and another male person) were outstanding. Our group consisted of 12 people. We all were treated as valued people/passengers. The team engaged with us all from safety briefings, transport, set up, and celebration to providing a certificate of flight completion. If you want serenity, peace, and a great experience, hot air balloon rides are for you. Don’t miss an experience of your life! You will not be disappointed! For those who are scared of heights, just look out into the horizon and absorb the feelings of peace and serenity. Enjoy the views and company of passengers from different states and countries. You will feel “above the clouds.” Happy ballooning!

Amanda Hancock

Honestly, I am terrified of heights and was very apprehensive about this. But I went with a group of friends who pushed me into going and I couldn't be happier that I did. It is obvious that Troy and his staff absolutely love what they do and it showed in our experience. I couldn't recommend Troy or his staff any stronger. Excellent service, excellent experience. Would give it more stars if I could.

Cindy Raffay

First class service from the get go. Laurie in the office very pleasant and helpful, our Pilot Alfred was the best! Explained what he was doing guided our balloon from perfect take off to perfect landing. Frank our chaser was awesome too.

DJ Hudson

Amazing! What an experience please please do this if you have the opportunity. Kris our pilot was a joy and so knowledgeable of the area. I am doing this again in a week and just can’t wait!

Heidi Broussard

My 9 yo son and I had our 1st hot air balloon ride with pilot JF. JF was very knowledgeable, professional, and a great personality. The views were fantastic! We had a great time and felt completely safe on our ride. My sister warned about a bumpy landing, but even our landing was smooth thanks to JF's expertise! If you want to try a hot air balloon ride in Albuquerque, NM I would highly recommend Rainbow Ryders!

Angie Garcia

Very great experience. Stayed on time. The pilot was very informative and very friendly. The ride was amazing. I would do it again! Very calm. New Mexico is a beautiful place. I would recommend to everyone! Thanks to Alfred and his helpers for making this a great memory for me and my 2 adult kids!

Bailey McCullough

We enjoyed our first hot air balloon ride this October with Rainbow Ryders and I already wish we could go again! Our pilot, Troy, was a true professional and our ride was smooth and safe. I highly recommend this company and this experience. It is an amazing gift or experience to save up for.

David Snodgrass

Very professional company. Communicated well leading up to the event with tips for parking, maps et cetera. Breakfast was well catered, Appreciated the extras with a beanie cap and a pin, which was not expected. organization was on point. Our pilot was well experienced, we had a lot of confidence in him and he landed our balloon with Impressive precision. The champagne toast afterwards was quite nice and finished with a poem. Overall a wonderful experience for Our 20th wedding anniversary . I would highly recommend this company and the entire experience of ballooning during the Albuquerque balloon fiesta. Not cheap, but the magic was worth the money.

Thomas Washburn

Awesome, fantastic, words cannot describe now great it was. Alfred was great. Sunset was great.

Nina Monteleone

This was so much fun!! We brought our out of town friends on a Saturday morning. Weather was perfect, views were spectacular. Scott was extremely informative and made it a full experience. I think the champagne toast at the end was a perfect touch! (They also have just juice if you prefer) highly recommend!

Brendan Quinn

🎈🌈📸 For starters I have a mild discomfort with heights, so to take a hot air balloon rider with my wife and 5yr old son caused me a bit of anxiety leading into the trip. Our pilot Dean, and his henchmen Doug and Elijah were awesome. They we delightful to speak with and an easy going group. They clearly are talented in their craft and took my focus away from any hesitancies I held. Our journey took us over Albuquerque and a very cold morning, but the crew at Rainbow Ryder's made it thoroughly enjoyable. Great pictures, beautiful views, and a fun group of people.

marlene parness

Beat experience in Albuquerque. Very professional, timely, fun, enjoyable time. My first time ballooning and I loved it!

Debra Weiner

We had a great balloon flight. I trusted the pilot and the company's excellent safety record. It was easy to climb in and out of the balloons because of foothills on the side of the basket. Very peaceful experience

Jil Patterson

I took my mom on our first hot air balloon ride... she was terrified & I was excited! Our pilot, Troy, was excellent. The ride was peaceful and we had a soft landing, I couldn't believe we had already landed. There was not a single moment during the ride where I felt like we could have been in danger since we were in the hands of a highly experienced pilot. Can't wait to do again!

Barbara Davidoff

My husband and I are days away from being 70 years old and crippled up. Not only did the wonderful pilot and ground crew get us in the basket, they did it with understanding and expertise. This was one of the most wonderful times I have ever had. My husband is very uncomfortable with heights but he had no problems and enjoyed the flight as well. The crew was incredibly GOOD and made all of us very comfortable with the experience. I can’t encourage you enough - you will LOVE the flight. All I can say is OMG IT WAS AMAZING AND SO PEACEFUL.

Dora Dunning

Alfred gave us the perfect ride this morning! Amazing take off, flight and landing. Rainbow Ryders know how to fly!

Iokua Nakana

What an AMAZING experience! The whole staff was professional and pleased to have us. Our pilot was very knowledgeable and experienced with ballooning. I highly recommend using rainbow ryders for your bucketlist experience!

Deseree Barrios

My orginally scheduled sunset ride was cancelled so I booked a sunrise ride. It was definitely worth getting up early for. The staff was very friendly & understanding when my Uber ride was a little late. Alfred was our guide & he had great control. The way he controlled & landed the balloon was amazing. Topped off with champagne or mimosa once we landed. Awesome experience.

Sharon Barringer

Truly great adventure. Our pilot Troy was experienced and knowledgeable. A smooth and exhilarating ride with beautiful views over the Rio Grande River. The sunrise ride was a little cold, so bundle up, but well worth it!

arabesque

Our Pilot was great. Loved the ride.

Susan Brown

Awesome experience hosted by a wonderful pilot and ground crew! What a new perspective on the world!

Lee Kelly

Our experience was great - from liftoff to landing my wife and I enjoyed the entire balloon ride. The pilot was engaging, chase team excellent, and the rest of our passengers seemed equally thrilled. I would definitely recommend Rainbow Riders! The only reason for not giving 5 stars is that I am a firm believer that any organization can get better, if I could I would give them 4.5.

Jeff Strate

Great ride! These guys really know thier stuff. I Highly recommend having them take you up!

Michelle Mitton

I was nervous about going up and at first almost hoped the weather wouldn't cooperate but once up on the air it was wonderful! Not scary at all but peaceful and wonderful. Not cold either as you float in the air currents. Our pilot was good and we had a wonderful time.

Kate Van Huss

Chris was awesome! We had a great time!

Crystal Lee

10/10 would recommend! Damian was our pilot and he and his crew were awesome! What an amazing experience this was!

Persian Oldman

We had a wonderful private flight with Neal and Robert and had a great time. They are both professional, friendly, and fun. I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders for a great adventure.

Lisa W.

Staff was so friendly and worked hard! Troy is renowned for having flown hot air balloons across the Atlantic and Pacific, so definitely felt more than confident having him take us around ABQ. Pickup from the hotel went smoothly. Everything moved along quickly. Was interesting to see all the set up and breakdown of the balloon. The actual ride was truly a bucket list experience for us. Would recommend this company! And a huge thanks to Rob for shuttling us back and forth, bringing my husband's phone back to the hotel after it was accidentally left in the van and for the hard work he and his coworker put in on the landing!!!

aditya gawale

Awesome experience. We had a beautiful sunrise view from baloon. It was one hour long flight. Our Pilot Paul gave every little information about ballon and made our experience even better with great custom service. Thanks Paul and crew to make our flight safer and wonderful.

Christine Raeder

We chose a sunrise balloon ride and it was amazing! This had been on our bucket list for several years. We drove from Florida to Colorado on vacation and then decided to go to Albuquerque, New Mexico because we heard their balloon rides were the best. After obtaining recommendations from several people we were glad we chose Rainbow Ryders. There was never a moment of fear. The operator was very skilled and helpful. The ride was incredible and the scenery was beautiful. We would do this again in a heartbeat!

Laloo Destin

I would like to do it again... Alfred and the crew were the best

Kalenah M

This was so fun! We had an amazing time riding over Albuquerque for a sunrise ride. The man that we had as our guide was really cool. He gave us fun fact about the balloons, joked around, and let us know some stories. The veiw was spectacular. It was definitely something we had wanted to do for a while and we had such a good time. The ride itself isn't too cold due to having the flame right above you. However when you are at lower elevations and waiting to get in and out, that's when warm weather clothing is something I would definitely recommend.

Karen Fiery

We had an fantastic time! The people at Rainbow Ryders were so professional and made our trip extremely memorable. Our pilot was Dean, and our crew was Rick and Damion. They were very accommodating and friendly, and Dean answered every single question...even if it was asked 3 times :-) Our flight was wonderful, the orange juice/cranberry juice toast at the end was accompanied by an assortment of snacks, and it gave us all a chance to say our goodbyes and take a few final pictures. My one recommendation...don't book a private flight! I was very hesitant about flying with people and wanted badly to book a private flight because I was worried about having 12 people in the basket. Needless to say, 12 people fit easily, and it made the trip EXTREMELY enjoyable. I'm not sure when I'll go flying again, but when I do it'll definitely be with Rainbow Ryders!

Dana Kurtz

Great experience and well worth the price. Details below. For my girlfriend's birthday surprise, we drove to Albuquerque from Clovis NM. Driving through 80 mph winds all the way concerned me that the flight (float?) would cancel. Somehow the winds died to 0mph the day of the event. Even though the balloon didn't really travel too far from the launch site which bummed me out at the time, our pilot, Dean, made the trip enjoyable with jokes and facts kind of like a tour guide of ABQ. It even started to snow on us as the clouds closed in around our balloon. The part that made it worth it was the landing though. We landed in the middle of a neighborhood, on a street. A street where cars were literally trying to drive around our massive $100,000 balloon. I even got to jump out and help steer the balloon clear of houses so we could deflate and pack up without puncturing the balloon. At the end of the flight we got mimosas and free snacks back at the office. Really enjoyable.

Ro

Phenominal ride, great prices and Covid prepared! I was not concerned about our safety due to extra precautions from crew. The views are truly outstanding and you get amazing memories for such a great price. Definitely going again this summer for Sunrise and then again in fall for sunset!

Monica S

I gave my 82 year old mom a hot air balloon ride for her birthday. She LOVED it! The staff treated her like a queen. They even sang Happy Birthday to her.

Emrick Ong

Absolutely must have experience.

Karen Harrington

Jesse to me up in his beautiful balloon on 6/22/2017 with a few friends. I have at the ripe age of 52 never done anything like this before and it was the best experience ever. I was never scared. I was mostly in awe of the beauty that was around me. The feeling of floating in air was just amazing. The landing was like do it again, its just that easy. Jesse should be a comedian because he kept us laughing the entire time. He is gifted at his job. I am so glad that I took the time out of my busy work schedule to do this one thing for myself. The money not only pays for the experience but also for the work crews that work hard to ensure a great trip and our safety. So just do it. Thanks Jesse and Crew.

Dave Zuleger

It's a very well run operation

William Gelroth

Scott Appelman.... best Pilot ever. Had an awesome anniversary trip in the Dos Equis balloon!

Lena Maynard

Anthony was a great operator and entertaining. Well worth getting up so early! Do it!!

Laura Harrison

Kris, Matt and Dillon. How fun was that?!! Thank you so much. Will always remember and will be back.

Malachi Markley

We had a wonderful ballooning experience with Anthony as our pilot! Everyone was very friendly and we learned a lot of neat facts.

Brenda West

We loved our balloon ride. Dean, our guide was awesome. He made us feel at ease during the whole ride. It was a great experience! The crew did an awesome job as well!

Claudio Recupera a tu ex

Amazing experience, I would do it daily, do not doubt it to do it. I highly recommend it

md bellah

They are very professional and helpful. Reservation is smooth.

Lera Seals

Rainbow Ryders are incredible. Paul, our pilot was awesome and informative, answered questions and very interactive with us. I have to, also, give 5 stars to our chase team, they were great and very much a part of this experience. Folks, a trip with Rainbow is way more than a ride it an awesome experience it is a lot more than "JUST" the ride. Lera

Marlene Frasier

Our first flight was truly awesome. To see Albuquerque from the Hot Air Balloon, was unforgettable and amazing. Celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, so making the Balloon ride, made it memorable for us. Also, we had a wonderful pilot, Dean Donley, very experienced, warm and amusing. We will do this adventure again.

Zedar 2

Great experience that's well worth the price. I'm usually terrified of heights, but this experience is so smooth that I barely noticed that we left the ground. Just dont look down! lol. Landing was an adventure (these things dont steer to well!) but our pilot knew what he was doing so it was very smooth. Cant wait to come back and go on another ride!

Courtney Bailey

Purchasing and scheduling was simple. We had an amazing and highly experienced pilot, Ferrell, and his awesome crew including Mark, the man. Those guys were great. Would absolutely recommend.

Angela Martel

Very fun. Anthony is an amazing pilot

Kayleen Helms

Wonderful first hot air balloon experience with a 39-years of experience balloon pilot. Troy who holds many world records in ballooning along with the staging and chase crew were knowledgeable, friendly, and 100% safety oriented. We flew over 13 miles, and went up to 2600 feet in altitude. Highly recommend!!

Brittany Klein

Our flight with Dean was everything we had hoped it would be! Our family of 5 made our way to the office for a sunrise flight. Checking in was a breeze and we headed out to the location for departure. We took off West of Albuquerque and the winds took us North where we landed in Rio Rancho. It was spectacular! We enjoyed flying at a lower altitude, but spent a little time above the other balloons around us (kids got nervous way up). Our views and landing could not have been better. I love that the balloon can be turned in different directions to see everything!

Greg Shamas

Incredible!. Alfred Salazar and his crew were outstanding. Looking forward to going again.

Anonymous User

Great experience with our pilot Troy!!! After a bad experience in ABQ with another flight company I was nervous to go again on a hot air balloom ride. Troy is one of--if not the most-- experienced pilots in the world. Our landing in the college football stadium parking lot was flawless. The prep team and chase team were highly efficient and I am so glad I gave hot air balloon riding a second chance with a company like Rainbow Ryders, 10/10, would fly again.

Cindy Miller

My party of 3 had an awesome experience and the day was perfect for flight. Experienced pilot and crew were polite, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful before, during, and after the flight. So overwhelming to view the scenery and to 'fly' over the Petroglyph cliffs we had just seen that morning. We would do this again in a hesrtbeat.

Steve Hill

Nice folks. too bad we didn't get to go up because of the rain. The standby process was quite disappointing.

Kyle Hayes

Best Time ever very fun and great pilots great staff

Shunita Lee-Morris

Paul Petrehn our pilot was very knowledgeable and informative. The weather was cold but the view made up for it. Dress very warm. I was skeptical of this but when we were in the air it was so surreal. Would definitely do again.

Karla R

Great experience overall, and, despite a fear of heights, I felt very safe all throughout the ride. Our pilot, Dean, was affable, funny, yet professional, and the same goes for the rest of the staff. Thank you, guys!

Bonnie Schmidt

What a thrill! This was on my bucket list and now I've been able to check it off!

Argelo Duran

Had so much fun! Memorable experience indeed in ABQ. Would highly recommend this company for putting safety as their top priority. The pilot is a PRO and has been in business for 40 years. I felt safe

Denia Leticia Napoli

What an amazing experience. Went with my 9 year old daughter and she loved it. Troy is funny and very experienced. The weather was perfect. Definitely bringing the rest do the family soon.

Brittany Coats

What an awesome experience! So much more affordable than I thought it would be. I highly recommend you experience a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryder's. Albert was an awesome pilot! Very knowledgeable and experienced.

Wenona Clark

My daughter and I had an awesome time with Rick Kerber and team. They were very accommodating throughout. The entire experience was special. Cameron was a great team member as well. I highly recommend the Rainbow Ryders. They provided detailed information and great customer service.

Spencer Finch

This made for a fantastic birthday present. Great guide, excellent pilot - touching down in the river was amazing! I did the sunrise ride, I'll definitely have to try the sunset ride sometime.

Larry Davis

This was our first time see this We just love to have see this

Marc Scoleri

The best pilot ever is Paul at Rainbow Riders.

Jennifer Lynn Simon

What an incredible experience! I was really scared to try this, and I almost backed out when the group piled into the basket. All of the sudden, we were a few feet off the ground and I had no idea until I looked down! I felt more than safe and our guide was fantastic! Albuquerque already offers a beautiful view of the Sandias, but what better way to see them than a few more feet up!

Shannon Elizabeth Ball

My sister and I loved our flight. Our pilot was Al, and he was funny and an awesome hot air balloon pilot. His supporting staff was awesome also. Kudos to your company, I would refer you to anyone I know.

Emily Couture

Wow, simply amazing. Damian was our pilot and he was phenomenal. Definitely highly recommended.

Mary Whitson

Beautiful morning and smoothe flight. As a person who has a fear of heights, this totally erased that. Dean, our pilot, was the perfect pilot and host. The grounds crew made it all appear seamless. Thanks to Rainbow Ryder's for helping knock this off the bucket list.

Cat Hawk

Awesome experience. Alfred and his crew ensured we had a fantastic and memorable experience

Mia Voss

We had an amazing experience with Craig Kennedy & his team at Rainbow Ryders - we were part of the Toyota Corolla Celebration & it was a big group of people, some of whom were very nervous. Craig and the staff kept us very well informed on the balloon process as well as the weather & updates. We visited during Albuquerque Balloon Fest which is a bit of a cluster but everyone handled it well. You definitely want to pay attention to all instructions & there is quite a bit of information to take in relating to not only the experience itself but timing, where to meet, etc. Most importantly, keep your hands in the basket! Thank God we all did because Mother Nature got a little fickle on us and we had a hard landing that resulted in the basket tipping over. Pilot Craig kept us all calm and settled and we actually had quite a laugh over the spilling hard landing. Everyone was fine :) He kept us all quite calm! :D I would definitely recommend this company/team for the hot air balloon experience.

Anne Sippell

Unique experience seeing the city and Rio Grande from a hot air balloon. Our guide was highly skilled and gave us a wonderful ride.

Nick Rodriguez

Had a great ride with Dean! Told some jokes, shared some stories, and got to see Albuquerque in a unique way. Overall wonderful experience.

Howard Trickey

Had a wonderful balloon trip today with Rainbow Ryders. Perfect weather for it. The crew was professional and friendly. The pilot was expert (we later found out that Troy has many ballooning records), and took us both high and low over the Rio Grande, finishing with a perfect landing and a post-ride champagne toast in a park. Everyone should have an experience like this once in their lives.

Laura Long

This place was amazing! Alfred our balloon captain was great - we flew for an hour and had a nice soft landing on the golf course :) this was such a great experience! Totally worth getting up at 5 am lol

John

Fantastic!!! we went on the ABQ morning balloon ride and it was GREAT - it exceeded my expectations. Rainbow Ryders run a very efficient and professional balloon ride company. Our pilot Dean was awesome. We live in Texas (visiting relatives in ABQ) and the next time we are back will sign up for another balloon ride again!! A++++++

Jeff Fielding

Pilot Alfred Salazar and Crew Rock! Amazing experience :-)

Alexander Young

Incredible experience. The staff's professionalism and efficiency made the potentially scary adventure something that we will only remember positively. We flew with Damian and Nicole. I would give 10 stars if possible.

Deborah Hamar

We didn't actually get up in the air. I appreciate that they care about safety more than money, and they cancelled for bad weather. They are who I would book with again.

Tara Stephenson

I research everything to exhaustion and this company was the best I could find and I'm so grateful I did! Awesome! One word that sums up from start to finish with the Rainbow Ryders Albuquerque! Paul was our pilot and I couldn't have asked for a more knowledgeable and delightful pilot! I had NO fear while riding the balloon due to Paul's quite demeanor and the expertise in handling the balloon. I would so recommend this even to people who wish they could go up in a balloon but the fear of heights prevents them, this would be a life changing event for them. The whole staff at Rainbow Ryders made the whole experience a delightful one, they were so humorous and not only was I entertained by the beautiful scenery while flying, I was entertained by their antics on the ground and in the air! Watching the balloons inflate, riding in the most serene conditions and then a very gentle landing and a champagne toast to top it all off, I truly enjoyed every aspect of my wonderful experience.

Jason Buberel

We had an absolutely wonderful balloon ride on an early Sunday morning. We'll worth it.

Beth Boyd

To anyone who is afraid of taking a balloon ride - don't be! Just go with Rainbow Ryders and enjoy the ride! It is unique, fantastic, and an experience of a lifetime! We had a wonderful flight without any fear at all! The pilots are all experienced and more than competent. Truly, safety is first with them. Thanks to Steve Trieber, our pilot, and his crew it was a total adventure and worth every penny. Now I am addicted and can't wait to go again. Try it, you will love it!!!

Michael Fernandez

THIS IS THE BEST EXPERIENCE IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE! Fortunately, all 12 riders on our ride (us a family of 2 adults and 3 kids) had never been on a hot air balloon ride, making it not one second boring. We had no problems at all, since they take the appropriate requirements for kids getting on the hot air balloon rides. Honestly, the experience is something we can never take back, and for sure many great photo ops along the entire process! Even if our balloon launched after the sun rose, the experience was in no way ruined. TIP: Call them the day before for any specific information. As well, come around 15 - 30 minutes ahead of the time they give you. The ending as well was beautiful, and I for sure recommend asking them for a rough landing if they can do it! I really did wake us up, and it really cultivates one of the key things to do in the city!

Adriana Torres

The balloon ride was awesome and I rally good experience. Troy and his team were very professional and they gave us a lot of history. I recommend it 100%. They are great!

Edward Haynes

Huge thanks to our pilot Alfred and chase crew for making our 1st hot air balloon ride a great adventure. My daughter was visiting from Idaho for a birthday week celebration. It truly is a "bucket list" ride. Looking forward another planned ride during the Balloon Fiesta. Again, thanks to the entire staff at Rainbow Riders.

Stephanie Arno

My friend and I went on a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders on June 9, 2017 with Jesse. It was an amazing experience and was worth every penny. It was a picture perfect day, blue skies and no wind. 12 people in the basket was not overly crowded, which I was afraid it might have been. Our guide Jesse was entertaining and friendly. I was my first trip to NM and this adventure helped to make it more memorable. I definitely recommend Rainbow Ryders for a hot air balloon bucket list adventure!

Eric Rhoades

The views from the basket were amazing and our pilot made the whole experience fun and easy. Everything was well organized and professional.

Itzayana Prado

Amazing experience we had! Great service, had an awesome landing with Dean, our pilot. Would definitely recommend to anyone else who wants to ride a hot air balloon.

Jenny Lloyd-Strovas

Highly recommend! My husband gifted my son and I a balloon ride for my birthday. They took us over the Bosque and we flee over the Rio Grande. It was an amazing experience!! We also went really high, which was great because you could so much of the landscape, but my favorite was flying low over the river. And the landing was surprisingly fun and not at all what I expected. My fiver year old was squealing with joy as we bounced to a stop.

Londie Clay

All around a 5 star company. Someone should give me a half a star for waiting so long to do this.

Donna Hamlet

I had a fantastic experience with Rainbow Ryders a few years ago and never posted it for some reason or another. Anyways they were VERY safe, they even cancelled lift off the first day due to high winds and explained they did not want to put anyone in harms way. I thought that was great, I was sad I couldnt go the first day (it was in their papers though and we knew it was a possibility) but they re-scheduled and we were able to take off the next day. It was a fantastic experience. They did NOT land in neighborhoods like someone else wrote. They landed far away from that in a field. It was a pleasant experience that I hope I get to experience again soon :) Fantastic job guys!

Richard Long

My wife and I went for a balloon ride in Phoenix this morning after a cancellation last night due to winds. I don't understand the negative postings here for cancellations. I would think these people would want the company to error on the side of safety and give them a safe and enjoyable ride. Anyway, we went up this morning and our pilot was Mark. He has many years of balloon piloting experience and his knowledge of the local area is commendable. We had a wonderful ride and would recommend Rainbow Ryders to anyone looking to experience a Hot Air Balloon ride. Thank you to all the staff at Rainbow Riders and especially our pilot Mark. Rick Sun City West, AZ

Mosca Noche

I have lived in Albuquerque for nearly 30 years. I have flown in the past on a company sponsored balloon. Rides by different providers are launched over 300 days a year because of our great weather. So I am familiar with hot air ballooning and the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (don't miss it). I surprised my wife with an early morning 2 person ride with Rainbow Ryders. We had a very enjoyable "experience" and I know she won't ever forget it. The pilot and chase crew were engaging and entertaining. I never felt unsafe on our ride. Concerning the negative review I read by a local, I have never heard of RR in the local news for a ballooning accident or any negative publicity about unsafe practices. Hot air balloon accidents are extremely rare to begin with. She makes valid points for safe ballooning that all operators should practice; however, RR is no different than any other operator and all of them will land in small soccer field if that is what's available and accessible for the chase crew. Those large empty lots sometimes have locked gates and therefore they can't land on them. My previous flight with a different operator landed in a park in the middle of the city. It is not unusual. Our pilot had a special radio for communicating with the FAA. He radioed the tower of our position as we moved adjacent to the airport. Yes dogs bark with all balloon rides. It is the sound of the burners and you can be 500' in the air and they bark. In summary I recommend this operator. They provided a fun, safe and memorable experience.

michelle marslender

Had the best time!! The guys were very friendly and knowledgeable. The lady taking pictures was awesome! She took awesome pictures, had great customer service and very personable! Would definitely go back!!

Angela Andaverde

What an amazing experience! Our captain, Dean, was informative and fun! At 6 in the morning, everyone was so welcoming and excited! The views were amazing! Thank you!

Jojo Hernandez

We can finally cross this off our bucket list but it definitely won’t be our last time especially since Alfred our pilot in command gave us such special details on history on hot air balloons and the beautiful city itself. We learnt so much but had an unbelievable time staring at the mountains, plains, and new developments the city has grown to become. Thank you so very much!

Hari Hara Kumar Earlapati

We went on a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders in March 2016. Their staff was pretty good and friendly answering all our questions. Ride was in time. View was very good through out the journey in the balloon. My only complaint is regarding the number of people they fit in each compartment during the ride: There are 2 compartments in each balloon and they try to fit in 6 people per compartment which made us feel congested. It will be good to limit the number of people per compartment to 4 or 5.

Chris Cordes

Great experience! Unique and special. Highly recommended!

Stephanie Hall

Great price and such an awesome experience. I didn’t think it would be that much fun, just something to check off the bucket list, but Kris was our pilot and he made it a blast!

Lori Shaw

The entire Rainbow Ryders crew was friendly, efficient and enjoyable! A beautiful day to explore Albuquerque by hot air balloon - my mother and my sister and I got the experience of a lifetime together during our scenic balloon ride floating over Albuquerque's Rio Grande. Thank you to our excellent pilot and guide Jim Mitchell!

Harald Padeborn

I have booked a flight during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2014. Because of strong winds the flight was cancelled. But two days later the weather was perfect. The crew was very professional and so was Phil the pilot. To be part of a mass ascension is an experience for a life time. Hundreds of hot air balloons got airborne within an hour. Amazing.

Zachery Miller

The most majestic flight I've ever been on.

Alex Hoffmann

The views of Albuquerque from the hot air balloon were spectacular and offered an entirely new perspective on the city. Our pilot Dean was also great, and told jokes and answered questions throughout the entire flight.

Joshua Writer

Awesome flight with Patrick. The basket wasn't crowded, we had great views, and a soft landing. At the end of our trip, we were given free champagne and snacks.

Marby Mango

EPIC! Highly recommend! Our pilot was amazing, very funny and interactive with the cabin. Don't forget to tip!

Streetdogg S

Had an amazing flight! Would highly recommend this for your bucket list. Make sure you get Brad, he was a awesome pilot who loves what he does.

Zander

Awesome balloon rides so much fun!!

Ethan Jones

Dean took us up and over Albuquerque and he and the crew were awesome. Highly recommended, lots of fun and a toallto awesome way to see the city from a different perspective!

kashif qureshi

Amazing trip pilot name Arthur or aethuro

Stephen Faulk

It was a great and life changing experience! Troy, our pilot was a true professional. The crew was excellent and very helpful.

Patty Villa

Neil and Tyler are the best!! We had the best first balloon ride ever! Great landing , stories and champagne drinks! Would do it again. Thanks for a great time.

Diana Ortega

Dean and crew were awesome!!! It was an amazing experience and he gave us the longest flight he could. Highly recommend

Ananya Zabin

It was a very smooth ride, and the people managing the rides are very knowledgable as well.

Kenny Dillingham

They are nice and friendly and do a pretty good job. Had a lot of fun thanks to someone giving this to me as a gift. We flew from the Westside, down through the Bosque and landed on a street near a park on the Westside. I'd rather they had flown near the Mountains, but I'm sure there was a reason. Safety is a big deal with them.

Rob

An absolute must do!!! Troy was amazing!

Yousif Del Valle

Professional balloon people. Very impressive Crew and equipment.

Charlie Flannery

1st off, forget about the cost, think about how stupid you will feel to let miney get in the way of an experience of a lifetime!!! My wife & I were hesitant to drop the dough, and thought maybe for an hour it might not be worth it... WE WERE WRONG!!!! Kris our pilot created the most memorable trip ever. The whole e perience from the loading, setting up balloon, to putting air into the ballon to the actual flight itself was on of the best experiences of my wife & I's life... Words do not give the e perience justice in any way. We had 12 people on our particular flight, and I'm positive e everyone feels the same... Kris thank you, for landing in the middle of the city, it was a blast to see traffic up close from above... Rainbow Riders we will be back, with our friends next time...

Matthew Jarrett

Top-notch professional folks running a well-oiled machine of a tourist business. I was a little alarmed at the close quarters (7 people plus the pilot in the basket) in the age of Covid, but still an exceptional experience.

Rachel S.

This morning I took a ride with Rainbow Ryders piloted by Patrick as part of the Hot Air Balloon Festival out of Colorado Springs, CO. It was spectacular, safe and very enjoyable! Patrick was informative with explanations, answering questions and very experienced as a pilot. The balloon soared to 10,000 feet with a beautiful view of the Air Force Academy, Black Forest, downtown, Garden of the Gods and all the eye can see toward the plains and the rolling rockies from Pikes peak down, and the festival grounds and the balloons dotting the skies. The ride takes you as the wind goes and the maneuvering of the balloon really allowed all to see from all sides from high to low altitudes. The landing in a school grounds was perfect; people and children were waiting for the balloons landings and were excited to have the balloon land right there. The chasing crew was already expecting us to help collapse, fold and pick up the basket, balloon and passengers. At the park with a table setting for a toast of Champaign, or mimosa as customary and with a blessing for making it all happen with the help of the elements, company workers (that are extremely sufficient!) and the pilot. I did not have a balloon ride on my bucket list but am very happy to have done it with this provider; its another thing one may want to checkmark, weather over the safari in Africa, or Albuquerque NM or anywhere. Rainbow riders also provided an extra touch with a personal certificate to each passenger to mark the flight and the day. Thank you all, Rachel S. A note: The basket had 12 people ( all skinny); I believe 10 would have been suffice.

Cindy Quaintance

Great time! Our pilot Troy was the best!

Prashast Kumar

Wonderful experience!! The crew was awesome. Had wonderful view from the top. The craziest and exciting moment was the landing. Had nice toast at the end!

Lori Clark

Amazing experience!!! As someone who is afraid of heights, I was so relaxed, Dean our pilot was super, the crew was very helpful and knowledgeable , highly recommend.

Emmanuel Blanco

This was my first hot air balloon ride. Patrick was our pilot that day. He was fun, entertaining and knowledgeable. The views were fantastic. Awesome experience!

Leena Gabrielle

Elijah and his team made this such a memorable experience!

sonal maknojia

It was really fun with pilot Brad Rice😎 Hardworking team. Enjoyed!!👍 …

Rob Grooms

AWESOME EXPERIENCE!! TOP NOTCH OPERATION THERE!!

Timothy Berglind

A great experience. Our pilot, Dean, was confident, reassuring, funny, and knowledgeable of the area. Price of flight very competitive.

George Colombo

I can't say enough and this company and the experience it provides for its customers. From beginning to end, Rainbow Ryders treats your ride like the bucket list item that it is. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Jeremey

Excellent experience! Pilots Alfred & Elijah are awesome! Crew Robert, Greg & Gage are all great as well!

Israel Uranga

Alfred,Frank and Tyler are the best crew. It was worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Jason Pinkham

Went for a ride over Albuquerque and had a great time. Troy and the ground crew took the time to make our flight an awesome experience.

Tonie Fuller

It was an amazing experience. The crew were friendly and professional. They help put my fears at easy. We will never forget

Brody Caldwell

dean and elroy were our crew for the ride on 12/7/19 and they were fantastic and kept us safe definitely gonna come back and for sure recommend them!

Sadie Hoffman

Amazing experience, amazing staff. Well worth the price. Kris was an amazing tour guide and flyer. Would do again with this company when I come back to visit!

Michelle N.

Our capt was the best ever! Took us over the river to the point the basket was like an inch over the water. Landing was smooth. Champagne once the flight ends

Renee LaFountain

Kris & the crew were professional, knowledgeable and fun. I highly recommend Rainbow Ryders!

Jeff Stevens

Fantastic! Super friendly staff and pilot. Amazing first time ride. Will definitely be returning!

moises olivarez

The pilot was funny and had fun for my first time. I'm not going to lie I thought it was just a couples thing but no it was a group of at least 10 people. For me that was the only bummer because of annoying people. Either way I would do it again.

Matthew Idoux

Alfred was awesome! Great flight

Samantha Giammatteo

We had a great time with our pilot, Elijah! It was a beautiful morning and we had a perfect landing!

Ang

Wonderful experience!

Quincy

The people are very nice, and the veiws are stunning, was a very nice trip. It is not cold at all in the summer, and I would suggest to bring some layers for the colder seasons, but I highly recommend.

Colin Padilla

Great balloon trip. Dean the pilot was knowledgeable and entertaining. Highly recommend these guys to go see the beautiful Albuquerque landscape from a balloon.

Tyson Butcher

The ride was awesome and the pilot Alfred and his crew did a great job. The landing was perfect. Thanks guys it was a great experience.

David Coats

Awesome experience!

Carol Mack

The was absolutely amazing, thanks to the team from setup to landing, Paul aur pilot was very nice, made it fun laughed with us an enjoyed taking pictures with us. Thank you #Rainbowryders

Berniece Davis

Great experience and our pilot Dean was fantastic and very experienced. Gave a lot of information and loves his job!!!

Heidi Dimitris

Great fun! Definitly can check this ine off my bucket list!

Ted Sott

Relaxing and awsome. A total must. Our Pilot was the Greatest.

Stephen Crenner

The staff was very professional and helpful from start to finish. Neil was a great pilot and was very informative. Great experience and very fun!

Kyle Robert

Biggest and best balloon company!! Amazing first experience in the ballooning capital if the world!!

Julia de Moraes

The price was very reasonable! The guide Anthony was funny, very experienced and knowledgeable! Would definitely recommend them to anyone who comes to Albuquerque.

Bryan Osborn

There are activities that are fun and there are activities that are awesomely fun. Our pilot and the ground crew were hysterical and made it a ride to remember

Stanley Wagner

The pilot jon needs to work on his jokes, he was very informative about ballooning. The chase crew were extremely helpful 👍 …

John David Barnes

Our balloon ride was fun and a nice view. Pilot was friendly, as was the chase team. Easy landing. I recommend RR.

Lyndon Hansen

Originally clicked four on accident I realized. Great team and family! Wonderful pilots and crew who all love and enjoy what they do!

Eric H

Great experience with the hot air balloon ride. It was especially memorable as our pilot was the famous Troy Bradley!

Mr Sims

Incredible experience! Might even get to fly with a living legend. Don't miss out.

Vasudev Bv

Excellent experience, well trained staff and friendly.

Sri Raghu Ram Vatram

It was an amazing experience watching the Sun rise in mid air

Daniel Keys

If you want a spectacular experience you need to try a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders! Great pilots and and a whole lot of fun and excitement!

Marcelah Martinez

Very safe, very professional, and an amazing experience. Even when going up in 10 degree weather the crew were awesome.

Joyce Harp

Gary and crew were AWESOME! Thank you for a beautiful experience!!!

Damien Bounds

Amazing experience most definitely have to make another trip the staff was awesome and our pilot Chris was a delightful character

Eric Gross

Had a magical experience taking my first balloon ride!

Ronna Kawsky

Mitch and his crew in Sundance balloon was awesome!

Brian Hartshorn

No better way to see the views of Albuquerque than from the sky! The ride was gorgeous and Chris was a great pilot!

Monal Shakya

Great experience with this hot air balloon ride!! We got to see the sunrise and the beautiful city of Albuquerque 😍 …

Indu Chachra Unnamatla

Absolutely amazing experience! Our pilot Chris was fantastic!

Charleen Shields

These people are great. They even knew how to help a handicap person get in and out of the basket. Great 3 hour flight.

Patrick Lemmon

Super fun! Had to try 2 days bc the wind wasn’t good the first day and we couldn’t touch off

Aurelio Piña Jr

Awesome 👍😎 especially with family & Troy & his crew were great Up Up & away in the 🎈 ballon …

Jaci Schrag

What a great experience. The pilot was professional and funny.

Michael Neubauer

Super experience with the balloon ride. Professional team with perfect organization.

Zzzz

It's nice they care about safety, we canceled but there's always another day

fiora charles

Very nice. Pilot Brad I s very experienced. The crew was grat and outstanding.

Elmer McDonald

Breathtaking and quite an amazing experience

April Allen

Great adventure for our family!

C O

It's worth it. I would do it again.

Jeff Daniels

This was the most amazing ride ever. Dean, was funny , great and an amazing pilot! YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS!

Lynn Boland

Amazing adventure. Thanks Troy.

NAYDA Lovett

Dean was amazing. It was a wonderful experience for first timers. We are definitely coming back.

Patrick Hall

My son took me for my first balloon ride, it was awesome. Had the best time, would recommend it to anyone.

Maram Bokhari

THE BEST costumer service! Absolutely enjoyed our flight with this company! Will recommend this to friends and family!

Alex A. Irshaid

Great experience, Kris, Ricky and Ricardo were very good people, Thank you for making our expenses a great one.

James Woda

This was an excellent experience! Our pilot and crew were amazing. Highly recommended!

Jimmy Bishop

Such an amazing experience!! Alfred and crew were awesome, you won’t regret it!

Gerry Moore

Professional, fun-loving staff, crew, and pilots combining to provide a thrilling, "uplifting" experience. Thanks for the ride!

oscar silva

Great! 1st time experince for my wife and I,friendly knowledgeable staff and or pilot Dean was Excellent!!! Will definately be comming back #bucketlist

Michelle Richardson

Fantastic enchanting experience! Entire team is super friendly and helpful!

Rob Grothe

Amazing trip, incredible pilot, great experience!

Keith Kellam

Outstanding operation! Don't hesitate and tell them you want Paul as your pilot.

Diane Matter

BEST TRIP EVER!! Highly recommend taking this trip. Very safe, well organized, friendly, and BREATH TAKING!

Paul and Sabrina Reinhart (RhinosOnTheGo)

Great experience! We loved our flight and crew

Liz Montgomery

This is a must do. Our pilot Brad Rice was rhe best. So peacefuland quiet up there

Tanisha Brown

Our guide was super passionate about flying and made our experience very memorable.

Sunil Gupta

Alfred and flight crew were great!!! Thanks very much for a great morning over Albuquerque!!

J D

Second time in balloon. Enjoyed much more than I expected. Very low stress from booking thru flight. Highly recommend.

David Cole

We had a great time!

Harry Z

Good experience!

Gladys Cabrera

Loved the whole experience! Felt safe and had a fun time!

dallas griffin

Amazing experience. Staff and crew were excellent. A must do in Albuquerque.

Jenna Lamb

Well organized, very smooth ride, I really enjoyed the whole experience!

Jorge Flores

Loved it. Very professional. Highly recommended!

Yuman Wu

great pillot and safe trip

jacolyn sanchez

Experience of a lifetime!! Thank you Dean(pilot),Elijah, and Elroy you all did a great job!

Jana Portner

Great experience. Damian is a great pilot and have us a great experience.

La Grash

Wonderful day! Thanks for making my mom's day. We both had a great experience.

irasema riojas

Don't wait to have the most wonderful experience of your life time.You will love it! Hands down the best staff ever.

Kimberly G

Incredible day, company, hospitality, views and "ryde". Thank you from your new friends from New Hampshire. The Gutes

Kelly Gossett

Scott and crew do a great job in the air and on the ground. They raise the bar pretty high and keep it that way!

Contact

Photos