Trip overview
About 45 minutes in a balloon over the palm grove and Berber villages near Marrakech as the sun comes up over the Atlas, with breakfast at a Berber house and a flight certificate.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMarrakech
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–20 people
- DifficultyEasy
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- Sunrise over the Atlas from the air
- About 45 minutes of flight with an experienced pilot
- Breakfast at a Berber house
- Flight certificate
- Pick-up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Private balloon for couples and celebrations
- Back in Marrakech by mid-morning
What the day looks like
We fly with licensed operators and experienced pilots.
When to fly
Always at sunrise, when the air is most stable, and all year round. The pilot decides the height and direction. With wind, rain or fog the flight is cancelled and we offer you another date or a refund, so book it for your first days in Marrakech.
Before you book
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Before dawn: transfer and balloon preparation
We pick you up from your riad or hotel before sunrise; we confirm the exact time the day before, because it changes with the season. After 40 to 60 minutes on the road we reach the take-off area, out in the countryside.
While you drink a hot tea, the crew lays out the balloon and inflates it, first with cold air and then with the burners. The pilot explains the safety rules, especially how to position yourself for landing, and you climb into the basket. The inflation in the first light makes for good photos, so keep your camera handy.
Day 1: Sunrise: flight over the Marrakech countryside
The balloon rises slowly and within a few minutes the sun peeps out from behind the mountains. For about 45 minutes you drift over palm groves, farmland and mud-brick villages, with the Atlas in the background. Because the balloon moves with the wind, you hardly notice any movement.
The pilot chooses the height according to the conditions and at the end looks for a clear field to land in. The ground crew follows the balloon the whole time. Use a strap on your camera or phone: if something falls from the basket, it's gone.
Day 1: Morning: Berber breakfast and return
After landing we go to a nearby Berber house for breakfast: freshly made bread, msemen, olive oil, honey, amlou, eggs, fruit and mint tea. It's usually served on a terrace or in a courtyard looking out over the fields, and there's time to chat with the pilot and the other passengers.
You receive your flight certificate. On the Premium option there's a short dromedary ride. If you chose the private balloon, we can prepare a small touch for a celebration. We drop you at your accommodation in Marrakech by mid-morning.
What's included
Included (6)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- Balloon flight of about 45 minutes with a professional pilot
- Tea and a snack before take-off
- Berber breakfast after landing
- Flight certificate
- Flight operator's insurance
Not included (3)
- Operator photos and videos (optional)
- Tips for the pilot and crew (optional)
- Personal travel insurance
Important information (5)
- Pick-up is before dawn, between 5:00 and 6:30 depending on the season.
- Flights depend on the weather; if cancelled, we offer you another date or a refund.
- Book the flight for the first days of your stay so there's room to change it.
- Not recommended if you're pregnant, have serious back problems or reduced mobility.
- Bring warm clothes: it's cold before sunrise even in spring.
Prices per person
Classic shared
Flight of about 45 minutes in a shared basket, Berber breakfast and transfers
Premium
Smaller basket, full breakfast and a short dromedary ride
Private
Balloon just for you as a couple or group, a good choice for celebrations (price per person, based on 2)
Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
What happens if the flight is cancelled because of the weather?
The pilot decides on the morning itself whether to fly, based on wind and visibility. If it's cancelled, we offer you another date during your stay or a refund of the flight. That's why we recommend booking it for your first days in Marrakech.
Is a balloon flight scary?
Most travellers are surprised at how calm it is. Because you move with the wind there's no sense of speed or motion sickness, and the basket is deep and solid. Even people with a bit of a fear of heights usually enjoy it, because you don't sense the height the way you do in a building. Tell us if you have any doubts.
Is the private flight worth paying for?
If you're celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary or a proposal, yes. You have the basket to yourselves, more room for photos and more privacy, and we can prepare a small touch at breakfast. The shared option is cheaper and the scenery is the same.
