Classic 4.3 feefo-stars

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

6 DAYS
$2,599 pp*
Save up to $290
*Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy, tour inclusions and available options may vary based on departure date.
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About This Tour

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Up, up and away! This is an experience not to be missed! The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has grown into one of the world’s most photographed events. Set in New Mexico, a place diverse in culture and scenic beauty, the Fiesta is simply one of the most spectacular displays of sound and color you are ever to witness. This exciting journey also includes time in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, two culturally rich cities. Visit the unique shops and restaurants of Old Town Albuquerque. Visit the renowned Loretto Chapel and its Miraculous Staircase in Santa Fe. Experience the Santa Fe School of Cooking.

Your Tour Includes
  • 2 Handpicked Accommodations
  • 7 Meals
Included Highlights
  • Santa Fe
  • New Mexico Museum of Art
  • Loretto Chapel
  • Santa Fe School of Cooking

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Your Tour at a Glance

Stay

6 Days

5 Nights


Meals

7 Meals

5 Breakfasts

1 Lunches

1 Dinners


Activity

Travel Style

Classic

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* With Insurance Purchased

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  • No booking fee, *no change fees
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Getting Prepared

Know Before You Go

Enhance Your Tour

Accommodations

...
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Nights 1-2

...
Hyatt Place Albuquerque Uptown

Nights 3-5

Stay Longer

Post Night: Doubletree Albuquerque
From $210 per night

Trip Reviews

Live, Unedited, & Independent Traveler Reviews

Rating

80 reviews
Overall Trip Rating
4.3
Out of 5
feefo-stars
Based on 80 independent reviews
5
43
4
21
3
13
2
1
1
2
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Santa Fe is unique destination as it’s different than most other cities in the US. The balloon fiesta was definitely a spectacular life time experience!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    I had a wonderful time. Yay!
    Deborah Lease
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Balloons everything xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Joseph Short
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Hot air Balloons Beautiful
    Linda Short
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    There are always a few dude trips, etc. that can be improved.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    The Tour Manager was great, the prior tour preparation was bad, the tour itself was weather challenged, but most importantly will did not mix well with the other guests.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Too many days in Albuquerque and hotel was too far from shopping and restaurants!! And hotel charged $ 6.00 for a cup of coffee!!!!
    Jerel Autrey
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    The balloon fiesta was great despite bad weather for 2 of the 3 days. To see a mass ascension with shaped balloons was awesome. The drone show was also amazing. It was also great to go back to Santa Fe after 18 years, The free time there was much appreciated. Joel Hoadley was a five star plus, outstanding tour director. JOEL MADE THE TOUR WONDERFUL. However, there were disrespectful people on the tour who didn't show up at the tour bus at the appropriate time. It's not a Tauck tour (our usual choice) by any means.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    weather issues/bus driver got lost
    Theresa Rock
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Everything was delivered as advertised
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Beautiful well organized tour
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The overall trip was wonderful but did not care for the Albuquerque lodging. Too far away from everything and cab service was spotty.
    Blanche Parks
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The trip was well organized. It was wonderful parking so close to the festival!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    I believe I already responded to this survey. If not, let me know and I will continue to rate.
    Robert Faria
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Hotel in Albuquerque was not in a good location, food was mediocre. Not enough meals included in the tour. The “tour”on Route 66 was a waste of time. The hotel in Santa Fe was great
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    No thank you to cold and rainy got sjck . Should of been told to Bring a winter coat.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    So glad to have been bused to the Festival site and greatly appreciate the tent and refreshments. Really liked all the different tour inclusions! Santa Fe School of Cooking was exceptional. Tram ride in Santa Fe was also excellent. I would have liked to have spent more time at the Nuclear Museum and less time in Old Town Albuquerque (especially since most everything was closed and we couldn't find a place to eat). A quick pass through Madrid is all that is needed there. Tour Manager made everyone feel comfortable; he went out of his way to accommodate us and to provide insight into the area; he even added the Petroglyphs National Monument - which was fabulous. Thank you!!
    Janice Tucker
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Great tour, Deana was very professional & knowledgeable. Loved the double decker bus.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Weather was not good. Rainy. Otherwise excellent tour. Alternatives provided because of weather
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    It was a great tour from beginning to end.
    Susan Campagna
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    2star
    Hotels were far from center of activities, service at Marriott was poor. Lots of time was wasted onahopping excursions. They should have paid for admissions to museums instead. Little value for the cost charged.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Excellent tour with everything
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Lots of problems with the bus used to transport us. Multiple breakdowns on busy highways.
    Barbara Schimmel
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    A fun and enjoyable time. Joel was great!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    I was very happy with the accommodations and our guide was excellent. The balloon Festival was absolutely fabulous.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    There were some GREAT experiences! But also a few I would eliminate from the itinerary or change the timing. The Balloon Fiesta was great, in spite of the delays and cancellations. We went on this trip because we imagined the bus would get us special parking and less traffic tie-ups, and we weren't disappointed there! Kudos to our bus driver for getting us through traffic and into tight parking spots. the Pueblo Indian Museum was a waste of time. The Museum of Nuclear History was great. I wish we had more time there. Old Town Albuquerque was lovely, but we only had 2 hours there to see the area and have dinner. Average wait at restaurants (Saturday night during the Balloon Fiesta) was over 2 hours. The hotel in Albuquerque was in a terrible location, not near good restaurants or things to do.
    Robin Kaufman
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Everything about the tour was great. I was really surprised that the group developed a group identity. The manager, bus driver, and hotel folks were excellent. Enough activities were included to insure a nice amount of free time.
    Charles Beiter
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Trip was wonderful Joshua was an excellent tour guide. Balloon Fiesta was amazing. Santa Fe local guide (Tony) was over and above expectations.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    as usual a well planned trip by Collette
    Dalma Neighbors
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Need to offer balloon ride
    Robert Cornyn
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The balloons were great but I feel that Collette could have offered you a ballon ride even if we had to pay for it
    Linda Cornyn
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The balloon festival was AWESOME!!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Balloon Fiesta was great. Santa Fe too many museums and art shows.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The Balloons ! everything about the trip. Air hours were the pits very very bad.
    Barbara Sergent
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    For the above mentioned reasons
    Patricia Kindschy
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Albuquerque balloon festival. Can’t remember anything that’s was memorable outside of the breakfasts at the Marriott were always cold.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The balloon fest was more than I expected
    Larry Secrist
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Morning at the rise was everything I had hoped it would be. It was very exciting to see the balloons taking off in a mass. My only complaint would be that on the day we were to leave the hotel for home we arrived at the airport at AM and our flight wasn't scheduled to leave until 3:00 PM. We spent the entire day in a busy airport and then had a delayed flight. A later departure from the hotel would have been very much appreciated.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Balloon Fiesta was amazing. Collette had the timing down perfectly and we got to the evening glow and the mass ascension. Would have like one more morning to watch the balloons go up.
    Roberta Kempf
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The fact that Wendy was able to get us back to the dawn balloon launch was incredible. We would have missed it entirely if the change hadn't been made. Just loved the Indian Pueblo and the Heritage Museum. Glad to get to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The balloon fiesta was fabulous, exceeding my expectation.
    Roberta Barnett
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    All aspects of trip and tour led to pure enjoyment and no concerns.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Once in a lifetime experience at the Balloon Fiesta. Super New Mexico food!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Gosh... it's hard to pick a favorite. But the Balloon Fiesta was amazing as well as the other attractions (the Nuclear Museum, Santa Fe, Taos Pueblo).
    Ronald Barnett
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    I just did in the previous question
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    All the balloons, especially Sun night with them being lit up
    Susan B. Merrill
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Dinner at the cooking school in Santa Fe and our visit to Ghost Ranch.
    Frances Brough
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The visit to the fiesta's evening display and morning lift off was very memorable, all the twinkling of the balloons and shapes and colors were impressive. We toured the pueblos at Taos, artists' Madras of the turquoise trail, local tour of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, old Route 66, art museums, Native American cultural center. Along the way we experienced all types of Native American art and culture as well as the history of the area. The scenery was spectacular as well.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Toured Albuquerque and spent two days at the balloon festival. Saw the evening glow and went back the next morning for the ascension. It was amazing. We also toured Santa Fe and went North to Taos. Beautiful country.
    Marilyn Birenbaum
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The balloon Fiesta was spectacular the Marriot hotel was not good when we checked in the toilet did not flush properly After four visits to the front desk i received lots of promises but the toilet did not get fixed we should have been given another room When we checked out it still had not been fixed Also I would like more included meals or at least a list of suggestions of were to eat in a strange city
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The hot balloon fiesta, seeing over 500 hot air balloons, at one time, was truly awesome. Especially what is called, the massive launch where 100s of balloons pretty much launch at the same time. The sky was full with hot balloons.
    Gregory Valerio
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Balloon Festival of course
    Albert Lamperti
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The morning balloon rise lt was beautiful;not enough morning food options. Breakfast items would be nice
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    We really enjoyed the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta the most. We weren't too thrilled with the other tour inclusions, like Old Town Albuquerque; Madrid, NM and the Indian Culture Center. Those places were okay, but we spent too long at those spots. The hotels were wonderful and located near to restaurants and stores. However, the breakfasts provided at the hotels didn't show too much imagination. We pretty much had the same food item choices everyday and unfortunately, the food was usually not very warm.
    Karen Pippig
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The Balloon Festival was amazing.
    Lester Harris
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Chance go to the Fiesta on a second day to view the balloons go up, after the first day balloons did not go up because of fog. Not to happy about a "emotional support" dog on our tour - question if this was really true - seemed more like the woman did not want to board her pup - I felt very sorry for the dog. Please check out how this woman was able to come with a dog.
    Joyce Shoffner
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Obviously the balloons, especially the Dawn Patrol
    Jerry Falgien
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    2nd day of Balloon Fiesta: Beautiful!
    Ricka Patterson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The balloon festival, of course, was the highlight; amazing. The second highlight was in Santa Fe at the Lorettoo Chapel when I touched the hand of Jesus on the statue of him. The strangest feeling came over me.
    Janette Fly
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    The balloons were amazing. Thanks for paying for us to go the second morning. Due to no ascension the first morning.
    Elizabeth Nopwasky
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Loved the balloon festival
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The weather didn't cooperate much, and balloons couldn't get up some days, but our tour was there the day the sun was out.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Seeing the balloons. The mountains were pretty.
    Marilyn Bullard
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    1star
    2 days list with flights when direct flights were available, no detailed itinerary available ahead of our arrival, tour director not experienced at anticipating needs if group.
    Catherine Lader
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Not enough free time to check out local attractions on our own. Had the same problem with last trip.
    Kimberly Knick
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Please see previous comments.
    Susan Broberg
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    1star
    I feel I received an "OK thanks for your review, sorry you didn't like your tour, we'll pass it on to someone who cares" kind of response. We will not use Collette Tours for anything again. If you don't care, we don't care!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The balloon launch was spectacular.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Watching the sunrise with the ballots and the night activities.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    It was amazing. The balloon was unique and different. I felt a kid in a candy store. It was one of the most memorable things that I have seen and done.
    Sonya Magallanes
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Sante Fe was great. The visit to the Sante Fe Cooking School was a great highlight of the tour.
    Lawrence Casey
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    The Balloon Fiesta and stops getting there were better than we imagined. The Collette selection of a guide, hotel (Marriott in Albuquerque) , and restaurant (BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse) were far below what we have experienced with Collette in the past.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    We were not able to schedule a ride in the balloons. We had only one opportunity to go out and see them launch and then the drizzle kind of canceled out the launch. Wee went back that night for the glow and it was cancelled. I did not like the nuclear museum and Albuquerque is really ugly. I would have preferred more time in Santa Fe
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Seeing balloons inflate and rise and watching the colorful array floating above
    Lynn & Luci Bradley
Reviewed on
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    The Marriott was ok, but could not be compared to the Drury which was wonderful. Would have liked more time in Santa Fe. We were told we had to have an early flight since there would only be one trip back to ABQ for the airport, yet others stayed for afternoon flights and were provided transportation and had more time to tour the city.
Reviewed on
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5 stars
    Quite a thrilling experience to view the mass ascension of balloons at dawn!
    Gay Cooke
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4 stars
    Good tour--happy to see Santa Fe and loved the balloons in Santa Fe!
    Ann Marie Reilly
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Our tour manager was good. At times she was winging it...which she actually said. Hotel in Sante Fe was excellent. Hotel at the Fiesta was good.
    Fox Knowlton

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