Hot Air Expeditions

702 W Deer Valley Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027, USA

If you’ve never been on a hot air balloon ride before, I’d highly recommend it. Early morning ballooning in Phoenix with Hot Air Expeditions is one of the best ways to experience Arizona. An expert pilot will guide your balloon up, up and away to heights of 5,000 feet (at multiple speeds based on wind patterns), as you soak up 360-degree scenic views of the rugged Sonoran Desert terrain and distant mountain peaks. While peacefully floating through the air, peek down below to awe at indigenous animals—including jackrabbits, deer and coyotes—as well as a variety of prickly cacti species.

The hour-long flight was sensational. And after safely landing back on the ground, my morning concluded with a personalized first flight certificate and a gourmet Champagne breakfast. Cheers to that!

Megan Murphy traveled on Contiki’s Western Highlights tour as part of AFAR’s partnership with the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), whose members provide travelers with unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and peace-of-mind to destinations across the globe. For more on Megan’s journey, visit the USTOA blog.

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Hot Air Ballooning in Phoenix

If you’ve never been on a hot air balloon ride before, I’d highly recommend it. Early morning ballooning in Phoenix with Hot Air Expeditions is one of the best ways to experience Arizona. An expert pilot will guide your balloon up, up and away to heights of 5,000 feet (at multiple speeds based on wind patterns), as you soak up 360-degree scenic views of the rugged Sonoran Desert terrain and distant mountain peaks. While peacefully floating through the air, peek down below to awe at indigenous animals—including jackrabbits, deer and coyotes—as well as a variety of prickly cacti species.

The hour-long flight was sensational. And after safely landing back on the ground, my morning concluded with a personalized first flight certificate and a gourmet Champagne breakfast. Cheers to that!

Megan Murphy traveled on Contiki’s Western Highlights tour as part of AFAR’s partnership with the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), whose members provide travelers with unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and peace-of-mind to destinations across the globe. For more on Megan’s journey, visit the USTOA blog.

‘Chute for the Stars

It’s not until you’re floating high above the horizon that you truly start to appreciate the magnitude of Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert. Sailing in a hot air balloon offers a fresh perspective of the towering Saguaro cacti, rolling purple mountains and sea-blue skies. Each flight concludes with a champagne toast and brunch, a tradition passed down from early French balloonists. But if all of that sounds too tame for your liking, check out Arizona Powerchutes. The airborne adventure takes place in a two-passenger cart powered with a motor, prop and wheels, and suspended 20 feet below a 40-foot parachute. You can fly as high or low above the ground as you’d like, all at a constant 26 miles per hour.

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