Balloon Fiesta 2018

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, will be celebrating it’s 46th year this fall. For those of us who live here, it signifies the changing of the season from summer to fall. The air has become a little more crisp in the mornings and the cottonwoods along the Rio Grande have started to golden.

We celebrate this time of year with our paddle board tours on the river and welcome the balloonist. This is a great way to experience the balloon fiesta and the wild side of the Rio Grande.

Because our tours start before the sun rises over the Sandia Mountains, we often see the diverse wildlife that call the Rio Grande home. From Sandhill Cranes to Muskrats, it’s hard to believe sometimes just how close to the city we really are.

During your trip we see the “Dawn Patrol” as they rise above the trees, from their predawn launch. As we start our journey down river, we generally encounter Sandhill Cranes as they hang out on the sandbars, before heading to the flooded fields of the Sandia Pueblo to feed.

Closing the distance to Balloon Fiesta Park, that’s when the Mass Ascension comes into view as 600 balloons begin to fill the sky. The balloonist use upper and lower level winds to travel the Albuquerque “box” giving us a full view of all the different designs, shapes and colors!

We stop near the outlet of the North Diversion Channel, to get pictures and enjoy the show as the balloonist start their Splash n’ Dash, that is, dipping their baskets in the river before taking flight again. It is truly amazing to see!

Check out the video below for more balloon fiesta action. If you think this sounds fun, hit the red “Book Adventure” button to secure your spot on our Balloon Fiesta Tour.