Hot-air ballooning over Sonoran Desert

How do you rise above the natural challenges of the desert—spiny plants, venomous animals, baking temperatures—to appreciate the inspirational landscape that’s home to the only jaguar population in the U.S.? Well, you rise above. Hot-air balloon tours operate across the state, but the opportunity to see southern Arizona’s Sonoran Desert from the sky make those in the Phoenix and Tucson areas especially appealing. Start early in the morning to take in one of the most arresting sunrises on the planet. Once the sun’s up, keep your eyes trained on the ground to catch glimpses of Sonoran pronghorns, coyotes, and javelinas.