New Mexico
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Santa Fe Art and Culture
Program No. 15464RJ
See hot air balloons decorate the sky at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, learn about the history of the Pueblo peoples and discover Santa Fe.
Participant Reviews
Based on 35 Reviews
SHOWING
What an experience this was…Riding up in the balloon was fantastic. The festival itself was incredible. So many people and I could have spent the whole two weeks there. The side trip to Santa Fe was very enjoyable. Our guide Christoper was so knowledgeable I felt like I was taking a college course. The things you learn!!! The bus trips were enjoyable not having to navigate our self’s. The food was always a challenge so we were happy to be on our own to choose.
— Review left November 3, 2025
This tour was poorly managed and poorly organized. Our guide was unprepared and sometimes unkind. The lectures were great and the balloon ride was magnificent. Don't waste your money!
— Review left October 23, 2025
Road Scholar did an excellent job of managing this large group experience. The lectures on New Mexico history and ballooning were excellent as was the tour guide for Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We were able to get an in-depth experience of the Balloon Fiesta. There is so much going on with amazing photography opportunities everywhere! We had a perfect day for our balloon ride which was a bucket list highlight. It is a fast paced trip with a few early mornings, but it was all fun and filled with memories. Our RS leader Denise did a wonderful job keeping everyone together and on time.
— Review left October 20, 2025
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is truly a bucket list event. Road Scholar handled all the logistics of getting session tickets, transportation to the balloon field and entry to the Chasers Club and Gondola Club so that we could simply enjoy the experience. The balloon ride was an amazing highlight. And learning about the art, culture, and cuisine of New Mexico was a delight.
— Review left October 20, 2025
The Balloon Fiesta and Balloon ride were an incredible experience! Life changing! Road Scholar did a great job of taking care of all the details and getting us in and out of the festival. There was quite a bit of traffic each way but that obviously is not their fault.
Once we were at the Fiesta, it was just wonderful!!
— Review left October 17, 2025
Such a wonderful experience! Well planned out and carried through! I do honestly recommend and would do again!!
— Review left October 14, 2025
Our program was educational and enjoyable. Additionally, we found it to be a good value.
— Review left October 13, 2025
What a great trip, stretched me outside my comfort zone. Met many great people and really really enjoyed the balloon ride more than I ever expected. Such a joy to see my friend who had wanted to visit Albuquerque so very excited to complete something she had always wanted to do.
— Review left October 31, 2024
This is the best trip/program for someone wanting to go up in a Hot Air Balloon. Our balloon’s pilot was knowledgeable, answered our group’s questions, and made us feel welcomed. We spent two full days at the fiesta/festival learning about the ballooning sport.
Even though we were a large group, it was easy to find new friends. Traveling to Santa Fe, the museums, and learning about its history was equally enjoyable.
I might do this program again in the future!
— Review left October 30, 2024
Great trip! Wonderful weather & the hot air balloon ride was fabulous! So many wonderful photos of the very colorful balloons! A great experience!
— Review left October 27, 2024
This program was well organized and completely met all of our expectations. The total balloon experience definitely exceeded our expectations. How the group was split up and use of the buses and being able to park practically at the Festival entrance was fabulous. Our Group Leader was exceptionally well organized. We greatly value her approach to provide briefings the day before and then additional details right before various activities. We felt very comfortable knowing what was happening, as well as where and when.
— Review left October 24, 2024
OMG, the balloons!!! This was definitely a bucket list item for me and Road Scholar made it happen. I had always wanted to attend the Fiesta and go for a balloon ride but was concerned about making arrangements, getting around and being able to see everything. The transportation, meals, venues and organization made it an incredible experience. Highly recommend this program.
— Review left October 23, 2024
This program was everything I hoped for to fulfill my bucket list. Educational and extremely soul satisfying.
— Review left October 15, 2024
Balloon Fiesta is an amazing experience. I loved having the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon. With Road Scholar handling the logistics, it was much easier to enjoy the whole fiesta than it would be to do on your own. Really enjoyed the last day in Santa Fe. You almost need to add some time on your own to see all that Santa Fe has to offer. A thoroughly enjoyable trip. Be prepared to be on your feet a lot, but well worth it.
— Review left October 14, 2024
The Balloon Fiesta is an unforgettable experience, and Road Scholar made it easy to enjoy. Background information was provided, transportation and meals flawlessly provided so that we could just relax and appreciate everything.
— Review left October 26, 2023
If you are considering going to the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, take the version that offers a balloon ride. Going up with all those other balloons was incredible! And the whole experience is so unique and fun.
— Review left October 22, 2023
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a bucket list must. Road Scholar's "Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Santa Fe Art and Culture" is a well organized program that allows you to reap the greatest benefits of attending the festival with ease. The festival is amazing, and the balloon ride is the icing on the cake. The trip also gives you a taste of the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, exposing you to their history, culture, and delicious Southwestern food. The tour guides are knowledgeable and excellent ambassadors of their state.This adventure gets an A+++!
— Review left October 20, 2023
The balloon festival was a wonderful experience. The program ran smoothly and I met some very interesting people. This was my first Road Scholar program and I plan to use Road Scholar again.
— Review left October 20, 2023
If you ever have the opportunity to attend the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, do it! This program completely exceeded my already high expectations! The setting, the sounds, the sights and the lectures all added to the ultimate experience, a delightful hot air balloon ride above the beautiful New Mexico landscape.
— Review left October 16, 2023
The Alburquerque Balloon Tour was at great trip. It was well organized and executed. I would highly recommend it.
— Review left October 16, 2023
The Albuquerque-Santa Fa program is a "Bucket List" must do! Experiencing the excitement of hot air ballooning and learning about the culture and traditions of this beautiful part of our country creates memories to last a lifetime.
— Review left October 16, 2023
What a fantastic trip. Our group guide Vanetta Perry was THE BEST. She and T Bone, our amazing bus driver took such good care of us. We had the best ever Rainbow Ryders pilot Brad Rice who flew us around the balloons floating over Fiesta Field. The Hotel Albuquerque was wonderful and in such a perfect location. As an added bonus we were on Museum Hill in Santa Fe for the Annular Solar Eclipse. Thank you Road Scholars for putting together such a great tour.
— Review left October 16, 2023
This just might be a bucket list adventure for you. It combines a wonderful living experience with cultural richness and fun with balloons. What could be a better and more diverse adventure.
— Review left October 19, 2022
The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is a complex event to attend. The Road Scholar program eliminates a great deal of the potential hassle.
— Review left October 13, 2022
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta was a bucket-list trip that exceeded my expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed all the variety of activities. Be prepared to gain 5 lbs from the delicious meals!
— Review left October 12, 2022
Outstanding!!!! I would attend this trip again.
— Review left December 26, 2021
I enjoyed this trip much more than anticipated. Riding in a hot air balloon was the best experience, but being at the festival among all the balloons and enthusiasts was great. Despite the large crowd, everyone was welcoming and answered my multiple questions about their balloons. (Even though I was running into people because I was looking upwards most of the time!) Having the balloon pilots speak to us the very first day of the tour increased my appreciation of hot air flight- both riding and observing. I could happily repeat this trip.
— Review left October 17, 2021
Between learning about and meeting the Native Pueblo people of New Mexico and the world of hot-air ballooning, it's a fascinating and fun program. I can finally check it off my bucket list. The people of New Mexico are warm and inviting.
— Review left October 12, 2021
Road Scholar is excellent and provides as much as one could possible participate in.
— Review left October 11, 2021
This program was a great one. Had so much fun and learned a lot. Highly recommended.
— Review left October 10, 2021
The trip to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta is definitely a program you should consider. The spectacular balloon mass ascension is a sight you won't believe! I loved riding in a hot air balloon and I did check that off my bucket list with a well-qualified pilot. It was so much fun! I'll be telling all my friends what a great time I had.
— Review left October 10, 2021
As a trip leader for many Ski Club trips, I recognize that this program would be very difficult to organize as an individual. Let Road Scholar organize for you and get the added benefits of education, new friends and broader programming without the headaches of all those details.
— Review left October 10, 2021
Road Scholar made this trip very easy for me. It was great to have a shuttle to and from the balloon park. It was also helpful to have a warm place to go to rest.
Considering the amount of "scholars" attending it was very well coordinated. The dinners at the winery, the Pueblo Cultural Center and the Balloon Museum all were a bit tight for the number in our group.
I also enjoyed having things to do besides just balloon stuff. I really enjoyed learning about the pueblo culture.
— Review left November 24, 2019
What a wonderful combination! The ballooning was amazing. In addition we visited Old Albuquerque and Old Santa Fe AND studied the Pueblo Native Peoples by visiting historical sites, museums, and cultural centers.
— Review left October 21, 2019
Just returned from our first Road Scholar adventure at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Road Scholar provided a wonderful week long program that provided opportunities to learn about the art and culture of New Mexico and the Pueblo Indian tribes.
Of course the real treat of the trip was the opportunity to fly with Rainbow Ryders among the many balloons flying in the Fiesta, a once in a lifetime experience. Loved every minute of this program. We hope this will be the first of many memorable experiences with Road Scholar.
— Review left October 16, 2019