Albuquerque Sunrise Balloon Ride in Balloon Fiesta Week, No Fiesta Ticket Needed

This one flies during Balloon Fiesta week, but from outside the festival. The operator is an independent company flying on Albuquerque's west side, with no affiliation to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, so you do not need a Fiesta ticket to book it. If you want to go to the festival as well, that ticket is bought separately, from the Fiesta. What you get is a sunrise flight over the Albuquerque valley without the crowds and the hassle of the festival field. The pilots fly the Albuquerque Box, the local wind pattern in which the air near the ground and the air higher up often move in opposite directions, so a balloon can change course by changing height. To the east the Sandia Mountains catch the first light. Underneath are the Rio Grande and the bosque, the cottonwood forest along its banks. There are light breakfast snacks before takeoff and a traditional champagne toast after landing. The meeting point is the Paradise Hills Shopping Center on Coors Blvd NW, which is also where the tour ends. Check the terms before booking. All sales are final and no refunds are available.