Wed, Oct 8: Depart in the morning for Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon arrival, meet up with a local expert for a guided tour of Albuquerque. A local expert will narrate around the city—see the University of New Mexico, Route 66, Country Club, Nob Hill, downtown, and other historic areas. Check into the Hotel Old Town Albuquerque and enjoy a Welcome Dinner with the group. (Meals: Dinner)

Thu, Oct 9: Rise and shine early for the Dawn Patrol Show and Morning Glow, a choreographed inflation and launch set to music, followed by the Balloon Fiesta’s most popular event, the Mass Ascension Special Shape Rodeo™. In addition to standard sized hot air balloons, see more of the unique, special shaped balloons launch today filling the sky brilliant color! You’ll have access to the top tier group ticket at the Gondola Club for a gourmet breakfast buffet, open bar (three bar drinks per person), and a prime location for viewing the launch field. Begin with the Dawn Patrol Show and Morning Glow, a choreographed inflation and launch set to music. This is the opening act for the Mass Ascension, a chance to see hundreds of balloons fill the sky. Sit back and enjoy the view in awestruck wonder, or feel free to stroll around the 200 acres of the Balloon Fiesta Park, get involved in a balloon launch, shop for balloon memorabilia and peruse the artisan tents with handcrafted novelties and art for sale. Golf cart taxis driven by local volunteers are also around to provide transfers to the Anderson Abruzzu Balloon Museum (open early during morning events). Spend the afternoon as you wish or travel the scenic Turquoise Trail to Madrid. Once a booming coal mining town, then ghost town from 1953-1973, Madrid is now a creative community with over 40 shops and galleries as well as the Old Coal Town Museum.  The town gained more popularity when the 2007 movie “Wild Hogs” featured Madrid as home to Maggie’s Diner. Spend some free time here for shopping and lunch or saddle up to the bar at a local venue and catch some live music. Next, stop at Tinkertown, a museum of miniature wood carved figurines that has been featured on PBS’s Antiques Road Show. Inside, the magic of animation takes over as the inhabitants of a raucous little western town animate to hilarious life. Return to the hotel and have an evening at leisure; dinner is on your own. (B)

Fri, Oct 10: The morning is free to spend as you please, an opportunity to schedule an optional hot air balloon ride or visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. This afternoon, depart for Santa Fe — New Mexico’s capital, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. It’s renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and as a creative arts hotbed. Upon arrival, get acquainted with this former Spanish colony on a narrated orientation tour, passing “museum hill,” Canyon Road, the historic rail yard. Cap off the tour with a short walking tour into the central plaza stopping to visit the famous Loretto Chapel with the mysterious floating staircase before your afternoon of leisure time. Consider visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, the Palace of Governors (the oldest municipal building in the United States), or the many art galleries and boutiques. Rejoin the group for dinner before returning to Albuquerque. (B,D)

Sat, Oct 11: You’ll have another opportunity to schedule a personal balloon ride this morning, and its also the best time to watch the ascension from another vantage point. Choose to have your morning coffee at the Hotel Chaco next door, watching the balloons rise from their fifth-floor balcony café. Later, head out to the Sandia Peak to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before ascending via the Sandia Peak Tramway, which rises to 10,000 feet and offers a spectacular view of Albuquerque and the landscape below. Take some stunning photos at the top and then descend to return to the Balloon Fiesta grounds to watch the Night Magic™Glow event! The Team FastraxÔ skydivers will kick off the evening event with their fan-favorite patriotic demonstration flying their 2,000 square foot American Flag as they descend onto the field. From the Gondola Club, watch the vibrant balloons flicker against the red mountain backdrop and the night sky while you savor a gourmet dinner, sip cocktails, and enjoy live music. Feel free to walk among the towering, luminous giants for amazing photo opportunities, talk to the balloon pilots and their teams and stay for the spectacular views After Glow™ Fireworks show! (B,L,D)

Sun, Oct 12: The morning and early afternoon are at leisure, and you’ll have time for a hot air balloon ride today if you wish as our flight leaves in the late afternoon. Spend some free time in Old Town picking up those last-minute souvenirs and grab lunch before transferring to the airport to fly back to Indianapolis. (B)