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Arizona, Featured, North America, United States

Flying High in a Hot Air Balloon over Phoenix, Arizona

June 5, 2017

Around the World with Justin
One of my favorite childhood movies growing up was “The Chipmunk Adventure” where Alvin, Simon and Theodore race the Chipettes around the world in hot air balloons. Since then, taking a hot air balloon ride has always been on my #travel #bucketlist. Thanks to Hot Air Expeditions in Phoenix, Arizona I was finally able to check this adventure off my list.

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Around the World with Justin
If you sign up for a hot air balloon adventure with Hot Air Expeditions, prepare for them to fully take care of you and make the logistics easy. Depending which flight your sign up for (sunrise or sunset) you’ll be instructed to meet at Deer Valley Airport (702 W Deer Valley Rd 85027) at a specific time.

Morning flights are available daily, year-round. Sunset flights are available seasonally, November through March. Timing for flights varies depending on the sunrise and sunset times during the year, but a good starting time range is between 5:00AM – 7:00AM for mornings and 2:30PM – 4:00PM for sunset flights. Pricing starts at $129 per child (ages 5-12) and $179 per adult.

hot air expeditions phoenix arizona scottsdale hot air balloon ride

Around the World with Justin
My Hot Air Expeditions adventure happened during a #brocation trip I took to Arizona with three of my best guy friends. On the day of our flight we arrived at Deer Valley Airport at 5:30AM. Upon arrival we checked in and were assigned to a van with your fellow hot air balloon riders. Next we went on what I like to refer to as a Helen Hunt, Twister-like search for a good launch point. Multiple pilot-led vans caravanned throughout the surrounding area in search for a spot with ideal wind conditions. After about 30 minutes on the road our pilots settled on a spot and began setting up the balloons.

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Did You Know?: Pilots use a “pi-ball” to test the winds for suitable launching locations. “Pi-ball” stands for pilot balloon and is a regular-sized balloon launched into the air.

Watching the hot air balloon setup process is fascinating and a lot of work! Each balloon requires a full team to unload the heavy basket, spread out the massive balloon, rig up the engine (known as the burner) and then properly blow up the balloon. Once the balloon is vertical, everyone is loaded into the basket. Our basket was divided into five sections. The middle held our pilot and on each side of him was two box-like areas that could fit up to four or five bodies.

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From takeoff to landing we were airborne for roughly an hour over the greater Phoenix area. The flight itself was extremely smooth and tranquil. It literally felt like we were just peacefully floating and at times it didn’t even feel like we were moving. The views of Arizona from an open-air basket were #breathtaking.

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I’ve done a lot of adventures at tall heights – skydiving, bungee jumping, parasailing, hang gliding, etc. – but nothing compares to hot air ballooning. It allows you to enjoy the scenery as a passive observer and over a much longer time compared to other action sports.

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Was it scary? At times yes!… especially when my #brocation brothers pushed me up against the basket wall! However, it is thrilling getting to the edge of the basket and looking down.

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After enjoying the views from above, Hot Air Expeditions lands the balloon (wherever the winds take you) and your hot air balloon adventure ends with a meal and champagne toast. A little bubbly is the perfect way to cap off a beautiful flight.

hot air expeditions phoenix arizona scottsdale hot air balloon ride

Around the World with Justin
For #brocation we called the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa home for the weekend. We enjoyed our stay which included a good hotel pool area and cabana style rooms on an expansive piece of property.

hot air expeditions phoenix arizona scottsdale hot air balloon ride

Around the World with Justin
Taking a hot air balloon is one of many items on my travel bucket list. Every time I scratch off an adventure I’ve wanted to do, I feel a sense of gratification and accomplishment. So often I hear people talk about what they want to do or where they want to go, but fail to follow through and make it a reality. Thank you Hot Air Expeditions for turning one of my travel dreams into a cherished memory.

What are five of your travel bucket list items? I challenge you — write them down, make them happen and let me know!

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Hot Air Balloon Phoenix Arizona

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9 Comments

  • Reply jennifer June 5, 2017 at 11:25 am

    Ah! looks like a lot of fun, but im also scared you will drop your selfie stick! 😛

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      Reply Justin Walter June 5, 2017 at 11:40 am

      It was somewhat scary! Especially when my friends pushed me right up against the edge of the basket. Luckily I had a tight grip on it 🙂

  • Reply Ryan June 5, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    I’ve always wanted to travel in a hot air balloon! I was thinking of doing it this summer and this blog post of yours has made it a definite in my mind.

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      Reply Justin Walter June 8, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      Ryan, I love hearing this! Where do you think you’ll go??

  • Reply Brandon June 7, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Wow! It looks like you could see for miles in every direction from up there! Being up that high in an open-air basket would probably freak me out at first, but I have a feeling I’d get over it as time goes on. Was it cold up there? Love the “Twister” reference, by the way! Great post, as usual!

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      Reply Justin Walter June 8, 2017 at 1:26 pm

      Brandon, we could see miles in every direction! I wasn’t scared until my friends pushed me to the edge of the basket. Thanks for following along. What’s your next adventure??

  • Reply Carina April 9, 2018 at 2:01 am

    My husband and I made a bucket list when we got married and “hot air balloon ride” is listed. We have a trip to Phoenix in August and are totally doing this! Question: What camera do you use on your selfie stick? & How did you get photos of the entire balloon in the air from a distance?

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      Reply Justin Walter April 9, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      I am so happy that you guys are going to do this! I used a GoPro Hero5 on my selfie stick. The photos of the entire balloon in the air from a distance are other balloons that were flying at the same time! Let me know how your flight goes!

      • Reply Carina April 10, 2018 at 3:22 pm

        Thank you for your response!

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