We are planning to go to the Balloon Fiesta this Fall, and want to select a guided tour for the fiesta. We are looking at Adventure Caravans, Fantasy RV Tours, and Sun Chaser RV Tours. Does anyone have an opinion, based on experience, about which of these tours would be be the best. Thanks in advance for any information.
Are you really set on a guided tour? We have attended the Balloon Fiesta 6 times and never have felt the need for a guided tour. There is a lot to do in Albuquerque during the Fiesta and it's easy to find things to do. Just make your campground reservation early. Some people like being right on the grounds and dry camp, while others prefer private campgrounds with full hookups. We prefer full hookups since we stay for 10 days and take many side trips.
Bring $$$$$$.
I guess there is a need for a guided tour, but it escapes me what they provide for the big bucks they charge.
Try the Good Sam Club. They come here every year if you absolutely need a guided tour. Albuquerque is fairly easy to navigate the mountains are east and you can always see those except at night and you can pretty much find your way. Roads are easy north and south/ease and west. Not too many that run any other direction. Great restaurants, great views, sunrises and sunsets. Truly the Land of Enchantment!
Sheila aka...
Dave's Wife
'98 Coachmen Royal
'88 3/4 GMC Suburban
Dave, Me & Dtr
I'd agree that a guided tour would be sort of odd.
But maybe you've never been "out west" before so that it'd be hard to realize the size as well as the relative lonliness of the New Mexico. Here are some comparative figures for NM and Maryland (your state, right?):
Est. Population, Maryland: 5.6 million
Est. Population, New Mexico: 1.9 million (Albuquerque: 472K)
Area, Maryland: 12,407 square miles
Area, New Mexico: 121,665 square miles
Think you need a guide? No, just a good map will do.
RVers with Special Interests, including 55+ Parks; Where to escape the heat; where to fish; where to golf; where to hold RV rallies; where to ski; where to snowbird; and much more
Arnold...Strongly suggest you make your reservations ASAP! And get ALL the details about the site you select. Some parks will put you in a dirt field with a dropcord & still charge you big $$.
I'm not sure what a guided tour would provide. There is an agenda that you can get to show location and description of each days events.
The area is very crowded during that time, so early reservations are generally necessary. Hopefully it's not too late for you to get reservations for this years events. It has been several years since we were there, but then the campgrounds booked up 6 - 9 months in advance of the festival.
Thanks to all for the responses. We think because of the hoardes of people attending the activities that we would like to be at the park rather than driving in every day.
Made our 6th Fiesta last year and have never considered a guide tour. There is so much to do it isn't necessary IMHO. Book early. We stay in the dry camping lot and had 4 so plan to pay extra for a dump and water fill up (about 20 bucks each but worth it not to have to move). There are shuttles everywhere.
We were headed to Mass Assention on the second day and DD was outside at 5:30 am and noticed the Dawn Patrol right overhead. We whatched the 2nd and 3rd Mass Assention sitting in our lawn chairs. We only missed lift off but did that on the first day. Do Not, DO NOT miss
Night Glow....it is aswome. The whole thing is awsome for that matter. (Stay away from the HOT breakfast burettos because they are HOT).
Good luck and see you there maybe.
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