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Hot air balloon glowing orange as it is inflated on the launch field before dawn

Marrakech experiences

Hot air balloon ride in Marrakech

Rise with the sun over the countryside around Marrakech, with the Atlas Mountains, Berber villages and desert landscapes below. The morning includes your transfers, a sunrise flight of 40 to 60 minutes, a traditional Moroccan breakfast and a personalised flight certificate.

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At a glance

Where it happens, how long it lasts, what it costs and how you get there.

Duration
40 to 60 minute flight, back in Marrakech around 9:00 to 10:00
Price
Rates on request
Transfer
Return transfer from your villa, riad or hotel in Marrakech included, to the launch site and back

In pictures

  • Hot air balloons rising over golden fields with the Atlas foothills on the horizon
  • Guests laughing together in the basket during the morning flight
  • Dozens of hot air balloons floating above the plains around Marrakech in the soft morning light
  • Two guests in the basket looking out over the countryside below
  • View from the air over the launch field, with balloons taking off across the countryside
  • Guest leaning on the edge of the basket, with balloons and valleys far below
  • Balloons lifting off together from the launch field in the early morning
  • Guests standing in the wicker basket, ready for take-off, with the crew beside them
  • Balloons in silhouette against a golden sunrise above the mountains
  • Guest celebrating in a field at sunrise, with balloons rising behind her
  • Guests enjoying a Moroccan breakfast with orange juice and pancakes after landing
  • Balloon basket and passengers in silhouette at dawn, with a support vehicle nearby
  • Group of friends posing in front of a balloon after the flight
  • Guest waving from the basket, with balloons floating in the sky behind
  • Guests standing beside the basket after landing, with mountains in the distance

How it works

  1. Pick-up before sunrise

    You are collected from your accommodation in Marrakech before sunrise, usually between 5:00 and 6:00 depending on the season and where you are staying, and driven to the launch site.

  2. Welcome and safety briefing

    The crew welcomes you with a drink and explains the safety instructions. You can watch the balloon being inflated, one of the most spectacular moments of the morning.

  3. The sunrise flight

    You board the basket and rise with the sun for a flight of about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather, with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains, Berber villages and desert landscapes.

  4. Moroccan breakfast

    After landing, a traditional Moroccan breakfast is served: mint tea and coffee, Moroccan pancakes, bread, olive oil, honey and other local specialities.

  5. Your flight certificate

    Each passenger receives a personalised flight certificate with their name written in Moroccan calligraphy.

  6. Return to Marrakech

    You are driven back to your accommodation, usually arriving between 9:00 and 10:00 depending on the departure time and the flight.

About this activity

A balloon flight is one of the most memorable ways to begin a stay in Marrakech. The morning starts in the dark, with the glow of the burners lighting up the balloons on the launch field. Then the basket lifts off, the noise falls away and the landscape slowly takes colour as the sun rises: the ochre of the villages, the fields and the long line of the Atlas Mountains beyond.

Because balloons depend on the weather, the pilot decides each morning whether conditions are right, and the direction of the flight follows the wind. That is part of the experience, and it is why we recommend booking your flight in the first days of your stay.

After landing, breakfast is served before the drive back, so you are at your accommodation by mid-morning with the rest of the day ahead of you. Many guests plan a quiet afternoon by the pool or a visit to the hammam.

Questions about the hot air balloon flight

How much does a hot air balloon ride cost?

We confirm the rate with your quote. It includes the return transfer from your accommodation in Marrakech, the flight, a traditional Moroccan breakfast and a personalised flight certificate.

How early does the balloon flight start?

Pick-up is before sunrise, usually between 5:00 and 6:00 depending on the season and where you are staying. You are back in Marrakech around 9:00 to 10:00.

How long is the flight?

About 40 to 60 minutes in the air, depending on the weather conditions on the day.

What happens if the flight is cancelled because of the weather?

Balloons only fly in safe conditions, so a flight can be cancelled on the morning itself. We explain the rescheduling and refund terms when you book, and suggest flying early in your stay to leave time for another date.

Enquire about this activity

Tell us the number of passengers, your preferred date and where you are staying. The exact pick-up time is confirmed the day before, according to the flight conditions and the time of sunrise.

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