Three-Night Land-Only
October 6-9, 2023
Overview & Pricing
Hotel: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
Activity Level
Days: 4
Travel Host:
USC Alumni Sports Travel Staff
Email Host
Package Overview
Join the USC Alumni Association and USC Trojan Travel in the New Mexico desert in celebration of the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! Packages Old Town hotel accommodations, tour welcome event, two-day Fiesta admission including Mass Ascension and Balloon Glow, deluxe on-site hospitality, and more!
Package Includes:
- Three (3) nights deluxe hotel ACCOMMODATIONS at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
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- Check-in: Friday, October 6
- Check-out: Monday, October 9
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- Friday evening WELCOME GATHERING with light food and drinks
- SATURDAY and SUNDAY ADMISSION to Balloon Fiesta Park for Dawn Patrol, Mass Ascension, Balloon Glow (Saturday evening-only)
- GONDOLA CLUB HOSPITALITY admission Saturday and Sunday
- Including seating for breakfast and dinner, open bar (limited to 3 drinks per person), premier viewing location, and live entertainment in between sessions
- Round-trip Saturday and Sunday Balloon Fiesta Park TRANSPORTATION
- Sunday evening FLAMENCO performance with food and drinks
- Monday morning BREAKFAST RECEPTION at Hotel Albuquerque
- Balloon Fiesta SOUVENIRS
- Event LANYARD and CREDENTIAL
- On-site SET TRAVEL HOSTS and HOTEL HOSPITALITY DESK
- TAXES and GRATUITIES on all included items
PLEASE NOTE: Transportation to/from your home city to Albuquerque is not included. Deposits are non-refundable and Travel insurance is highly recommended; CLICK HERE for more information.
Pricing
*Pricing per person, based on occupancy.
| Single | Double | Triple | Quad | Child |
| $3,629 | $2,799 | $2,599 | $2,469 | $1,419 |
Occupancy Rules:
Max Occupancy: 4
Max Adult: 4
Max Children: 3
Hotel
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
800 Rio Grande Blvd NW | Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-843-6300
This landmark Albuquerque luxury hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Old Town and the Sawmill District, offering accommodations and amenities, including on-site restaurant and bars, an outdoor resort swimming pool, a romantic wedding chapel, and more than 62,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Hotel Albuquerque is only steps away from Sawmill Market: a 25,000 square-foot food hall with various local vendors featuring an array of culinary experiences. Hotel Albuquerque is being transformed again into one of the most luxurious hotels in New Mexico. This property will welcome you with new guest bathrooms, additional renovations in the guest rooms, and traditional New Mexican tile throughout the property.
Hotel Information
Standard Guestroom
Max Occupancy: 4 / Max Adults: 4 & Max Children: 3
Ticket
Balloon Fiesta Park
Albuquerque, NM
Click to enlarge.
Saturday Morning Mass Ascension & Twilight Twinkle Glow
Admission to Saturday's morning and evening sessions.
Mass Ascension, a launch of all the participating balloons has been a feature of Balloon Fiesta since its earliest days and is the most spectacular display of sound and color in all of aviation. During mass ascensions, balloons launch in two waves. Launch directors, also known as zebras because of their black-and-white-striped outfits, serve as traffic cops, coordinating the launch so balloons leave the field in a safe and coordinated manner. Weather permitting, balloons begin to launch at about 7:00 AM on mass ascension days, led by a balloon flying the American flag to the strains of The Star Spangled Banner.
The events now known as balloon glows were invented in Albuquerque in 1979, when local pilots inflated balloons on Christmas Eve night as a thank you to local residents. The sight of balloons lit from within at night like giant holiday ornaments is breathtaking and glow events are now held all over the world. Balloon Fiesta launched its Balloon Glow, the world's biggest, in 1987. Balloon Glow all burns, when all the balloons fire their burners and light up at the same time are perhaps the most spectacular single moment in all of Balloon Fiesta. The Balloon Glows, followed by New Mexico's most spectacular fireworks displays, are now among Balloon Fiesta's most popular events.
INCLUDED IN PACKAGE
Sunday Morning Mass Ascension
Admission to Sunday morning's session.
Mass Ascension, a launch of all the participating balloons has been a feature of Balloon Fiesta since its earliest days and is the most spectacular display of sound and color in all of aviation. During mass ascensions, balloons launch in two waves. Launch directors, also known as zebras because of their black-and-white-striped outfits, serve as traffic cops, coordinating the launch so balloons leave the field in a safe and coordinated manner. Weather permitting, balloons begin to launch at about 7:00 AM on mass ascension days, led by a balloon flying the American flag to the strains of The Star Spangled Banner.
INCLUDED IN PACKAGE
Misc
Gondola Club Hospitality
Enjoy Balloon Fiesta from one of the most picturesque locations in Balloon Fiesta Park. The Gondola Club is a private area away from the crowds, and includes delicious food, local entertainment, courtesy shuttles, and indoor restrooms just for our guests. The Balloon Fiesta is a truly unique experience, and Gondola Club tickets allow guests to experience this world-class event in a very special and private setting. Just imagine being able to have a private seat complete with wonderful food while looking out over a Mass Ascension, Special Shapes Rodeo, a balloon glow, competition or firework
INCLUDED IN PACKAGE
Dinner and Flamenco Performance
At Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, passion and energy come alive nightly as you experience flamenco in its most intimate, powerful setting in the heart of historic Old Town Albuquerque. Featuring a world-class line-up of artists, the Tablao Flamenco presents a dynamic schedule of performances, featuring the premier artists from Spain and the United States, and delivers the traditional Spanish tapas experience, created by world-renowned Chef Mark Miller of Santa Fe`s Coyote Cafe and Hotel Albuquerque`s Chef Gilbert Aragon.
INCLUDED IN PACKAGE
Map
FAQ
What is a “Land-Only” package?
A Land-Only package includes all the items listed as “tour package features” EXCEPT for air transportation, airport/hotel transfers, and baggage handling. A Land-Only package would be appropriate should the tour participant not be able to conveniently depart/return from the same city listed in the Air package or wish to travel on their own. Please note flights and/or motor coach transportation to the destination city is not included in this type of package.
What’s included in my price?
Your final price includes room and all hotel taxes. It does not include items such as charges for meals, parking, rollaway beds, phone calls, valet and room service, or any other items of a personal nature.
What do “Single,” “Double,” “Triple,” and “Quad” mean?
Single, Double, Triple, and Quad refer to how many adults (13 and over) are sharing each room (total room occupancy). For example, if two adults wish to stay in the same room, the price would be the Double price, and this would be per person.
Do I need travel insurance?
Due to the investment of your travel package, we strongly recommend the purchase of appropriate insurance coverage. Medical insurance policies may not protect your travels away from home and often have out-of-network deductibles. Likewise, coverage through credit cards and travel suppliers can have shortfalls and not fully protect you. For additional information, please click on the Insurance link on the bottom right of this website.
What does the “Child” price mean?
Children’s prices are limited to those 12 years of age or under sharing a room with one or more adults and using existing bedding. For example, if the room is shared with one adult, the single rate applies as the adult’s price plus the child’s price. If the room is shared with two adults, the double rate applies as each adult’s price plus the child’s price.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Debit cards featuring the Visa or MasterCard logo are also accepted; however, please be advised these types of cards typically have a maximum amount that you may charge daily. Please check with your financial institution.
What if I have my own tickets to the game?
Should you purchase game tickets through your athletic donor eligibility or from other sources, a ticket deduction may be made from the cost of the tour package. Deduction amounts vary per tour package and must be taken by the specific date listed in the “Payment and Terms” section associated with the tour package.
When will I receive my trip documents?
Trip documents are typically emailed two to three weeks prior to departure for regular season football weekends and specialty programs while bowl game participants will receive theirs five to seven days out. Itineraries for special events, such as the Final Four and Bowl Games, will be sent via email just prior to leaving. If you are not the main reservation contact and would like to receive the emailed tour documents, please add your email to the reservation or contact your booking agent.
If I’m not traveling, can I make a reservation for someone else?
When completing the reservation, use the name of the person for whom you are making the reservation. When entering credit card information, you may use your credit card and billing address for payment.