How To Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride Taos New Mexico

New Mexico is famous for hot air ballooning thanks in part to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival and miles of wide open spaces with beautiful scenery. My wife and I recently had the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride through the Rio Grande River Gorge near Taos New Mexico. There are a couple of great balloon companies in Taos and all have excellent reputations for safety and customer satisfaction. We chose Pueblo Balloon company and were very happy with their services and professionalism.

We began the day by waking at around 4:00 AM. One of the pilots met us just after 5:00 AM outside of our hotel and from there we went on to the Pueblo Balloon company office just outside of Taos. A few other guests joined us and soon a caravan of three vans departed toward the Rio Grande Gorge.

We crossed the upper Rio Grande near the  historic John Dunn bridge and up on the plateau overlooking the 700 foot deep gorge the balloonists began to set up their equipment. Several of us helped hold the mouth of the balloon open while gasoline powered fans inflated it with cold air. As soon as the balloon was about three quarters full of cold air the pilot began to use the propane burners to fill it with hot air.

As the hot air from the jets began to fill the balloon it began to rise. The balloon we rode in was one of the larger ones and held ten persons including the pilot.

In the still morning air the balloon did not move at all and each of us climbed up a small stepladder into the basket of the hot air balloon. As soon as we were all inside the pilot gave a few blasts with the propane burner and the balloon began to gently rise over the desert and the Rio Grande Gorge. I had expected to be a bit afraid but it was such a gentle departure that it felt completely safe. According to the pilot they have taken up passengers over 90 years old.

A big treat on our balloon ride was when the pilot allowed the balloon to gently touch the waters of the Rio Grand River. After gently skimming along the surface of the river we rose up into the air again and floated over the gorge for several more miles. Finally we caught a wind current that took us back in the direction we came from and the pilot alerted the chase vehicles where we might land. Since ballooning is not an exact science, the chase vehicles had to alter course several times. Finally we landed in a stretch of sagebrush desert on private land. According to the pilot, landing on private land is allowed but there have been some problems if a balloon lands on Native American tribal land. Then it is up to the chief to allow the release of the balloon, though they almost always do so.

Our balloon ride lasted just over an hour and though it was not cheap, just over $200 a person, it was money well spent. We spent a couple of days tent camping to make up for the cost but enjoyed that as well.

Taking a balloon ride in Taos New Mexico through the Rio Grande River Gorge was an unforgettable experience. The friendly folks at the Pueblo Balloon Company made it even more memorable by providing the a traditional balloonists champagne brunch at the large  bridge overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge just outside of Taos. You can reach Pueblo Balloon company at 575) 751-9877.