A hot air balloon ride in Marrakech lifts off before sunrise from the palm groves north of the city and stays up for about 40 minutes, from 130 EUR per person. You are collected from your hotel in the dark, driven to the launch field, and you watch the envelopes being inflated while the sky turns. The flight itself is silent apart from the burner.
The balloons rise from the Palmeraie, the palm oasis on the northern edge of Marrakech, because the air there is calm at first light and the ground is open enough for a safe launch and landing. From a few hundred metres up, the view covers the palm groves, the flat red Haouz plain, scattered earth villages, and the whole High Atlas ridge along the southern horizon, snow-covered from December through April.
Where you go is decided by the wind, not by a route. The pilot chooses the altitude, the wind carries the balloon, and the ground crew follows by road to meet you wherever you come down. That is why no two flights land in the same place, and why the departure time moves with the season: takeoff is set by sunrise, not by the clock.
After landing, a Berber breakfast is served in a tented camp near the field, and you are driven back to your accommodation, usually by mid-morning. The balloon is shared with other travellers, which is what keeps the price at this level. Minimum age is 6, and the flight is not suitable during pregnancy or with serious back or heart conditions.
Flights are weather-dependent by nature. If the wind is wrong on your morning, the flight is moved to another day rather than flown, so it is worth booking early in your stay and keeping a spare morning. To fill the rest of the day on the ground, browse our top Marrakech activities or our shared day trips from Marrakech.
Around 5:00 AM (Exact time depends on sunrise)
Note: The price is per person and covers hotel pick-up and drop-off, the 40 minute flight in a shared basket with a licensed pilot, and the Berber breakfast after landing. Photography services and tips are paid on site.
| Price per person: | Days of operation: | Number of participants: |
|---|---|---|
| Daily, weather permitting | 17 Max |
Una mañana inolvidable. Ver el amanecer desde el globo y las montañas del Atlas desde el cielo fue espectacular. El transporte y el desayuno hicieron la experiencia muy cómoda.
Un’esperienza bellissima. Il volo di 40 minuti all’alba è stato il momento più emozionante del viaggio a Marrakech. Ottime anche l’organizzazione e la colazione.
Really enjoyed the experience. The flight itself was calm and the scenery was impressive. It was also nice to have a traditional breakfast after landing.
A peaceful and beautiful way to start the day. The views from the balloon were amazing, especially the Atlas Mountains in the morning light. Breakfast was delicious.
Une matinée exceptionnelle. Le transfert depuis l’hôtel était pratique et le briefing avant le décollage nous a rassurés. Les vues pendant le vol étaient superbes.
