Hot Air Balloon Rides in Marrakech:
When you think of Morocco, it’s likely picturesque medinas, fragrant spices, and expansive deserts that spring to mind. But did you know that Marrakech is also a hotspot for hot air ballooning, which allows you to experience all of these things and much more from way up high? For those traveling to Marrakech who are looking for adventure, unleash your inner pioneer with a ride in a hot air balloon for a bird’s eye view of the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Say goodbye to the bustling streets of the Medina and take a trip to the peaceful countryside, where you’ll ascend into the clouds and gaze down onto Berber villages, rolling hills, and the majestic Atlas mountains. A hot air ride is not your typical travel experience. Many hot air balloon rides are offered at sunrise, so you can witness the stunning colors as the sun breaks above the horizon. There’s something truly magical and soothing about watching the sun illuminate the world with bright yellows, reds, and oranges while calming music plays softly in the background. It doesn’t stop there though! Most operators provide a delicious Moroccan breakfast or authentic Berber welcome after your ride wins perks to the experience. So what are you waiting for? Our complete guide will help you plan your unforgettable experience! Take a look at what you need to know about hot air ballooning in Marrakech. From what to expect, when to go, pricing, and what to bring, our Hot Air Balloon Rides in Marrakech will help you plan the most amazing trip possible. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below!
Why a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Marrakech is a Must-Do Experience
Marrakech is a city that boasts exquisite architecture, bustling souks, and vibrant culture. However, it is also surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the vast expanse of the Agafay Desert. One of the best ways to take in these breathtaking views is from the sky. While there are many ways to see the sights of Marrakech, a hot air balloon ride offers a unique experience with panoramic views of the city, desert, and mountains during sunrise, as well as the opportunity to observe the Moroccan countryside from above.
Many visitors to Marrakech are surprised to find that at dawn, when few people are awake, there is a great deal of activity in the desert. Farmers are tilling their fields and tending to their herds of sheep and cattle, while women are out gathering herbs and preparing breakfast. A hot air balloon ride enables visitors to see all of this from the comfort of a basket. For the locals living in the countryside outside Marrakech, seeing visitors in a hot air balloon is still a novelty, and they will often wave in your direction as they go about their daily pursuits. Hot air ballooning has been a popular activity in Marrakech since 1995, and as such, there are many companies and many options for you to choose from.
Marrakech from the Sky: A Guide to Hot Air Balloon Adventures
What is it about hot air balloon rides that makes them so covetable? To rise in a wicker basket, link arms with your loved ones, admire a stunning backdrop, and feel your head clearing whilst the temperature drops – what could be better? Some big experience companies offer ballooning experiences over British pre-scenario landscapes, but only Morocco puts you above the lush countryside, with eye-popping views of vibrant Marrakeck as a background. And it’s hard to beat Morocco for superb street food, vibrant colors, and the warmest of welcomes! Marrakech is said to be the endeavor’s red city, especially in sunset, when the ramparts and houses blush with color. Not that you’d know it from much of today’s heavy-handed development. Look up on a clear day, and your treks in the Atlas Mountains to the south look almost down on you, their snow-capped peaks silhouetted against the light blue sky through your binoculars. The only way to see the full layout of this beautiful city is from above. Ballooning in Morocco fulfills one of the most stylish and one of the most exciting of all travel experiences. You can fly as high as two thousand feet above sea level with the soukhs of the Medina below – ancient dusty roads winding between colorful stalls and bursting with local goods. But your wide-eyed flight isn’t action free. You’re participating, filling the hollow, one hundred- to one hundred-and-twenty-foot bag with hot air from a roaring gas-burner. You and your group help prop up the completed shop, and climb in for the ride. Before your feet dangle below, you get an action brief on what to do if the unexpected happens: the balloon swings over and hangs, basket-first, two thousand feet straight down. But don’t worry – it never does. With a beautiful clear patch, you and your crew lift off and drift south, brought slowly to earth a leisurely mile downwind by the sweet winds above the laments.
Safety, Sunrise, and Serenity: Hot Air Ballooning Over Marrakech
Hot air ballooning was a new experience for me. I’d obviously seen pictures of the brightly-coloured balloons floating serenely above stunning landscapes, illuminating the early morning light like strange, magical orbs. But the reality of hanging in a wicker basket, looking down on Marrakech’s Medina and the surrounding countryside, took my breath away. The serenity of our silent ascent was broken only by the winds whistling around us, as the sun cast our shadows on the stony earth and swept the landscape before us – vibrant green strips of planted fields, reddish-brown kasbahs, rocky crevasses – into striking contrast. This was a world I didn’t know existed on the outskirts of my beloved city. My Marrakech was a place buzzing with life, plagued by noise and pollution; I rarely looked beyond the Medina walls to see the beauty surrounding it.
Hot air ballooning in Marrakech is so intriguing because of the incredible views of the ever-popular Atlas Mountains, the charming Berber villages, the picturesque fields, the roaring river valleys, and the attractive palm groves; however, the ballooning experience is livened by another element. We discover Marrakech at the crack of dawn, during its early morning descent into slumber, all the inhabitants still lost in the arms of Morpheus. Thus, when arriving to Marrakech, one sees the astonishing red walls of the Medina bathing in sunlight. The minarets of the mosque stand up proudly against the blue sky; what a colossal defense for such a beautiful city. Marrakech is really impressive thanks to the harmony of its distinct colors: blue, orange, and green. This incredible collage of colors tingling the senses is a real gift from nature.
What to Expect on Your Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride
The hot air balloon flight durations vary from half an hour to two hours of actual flying time. Some services include up to an hour in the air, which will be a speedy introduction to the experience, and all experiences are followed by a meal and certificate ceremony. This is certainly the more popular experience, including breakfast at a property out in the countryside, the transfer and return to Marrakech through the scenic countryside, and the elegant table laid out in the courtyard of a tucked-away garden. Numerous hot air balloon companies have sprung up recently, and a search will bring up many more, from tour companies to adventure sport companies. Most include breakfast. With them, it will be a matter of which one fits with your desire.
Your journey will start in the early morning hours, with a pre-dawn pickup from your hotel. From here, you will be taken to the launch site at a location about 30-60 minutes outside of Marrakech. On site, you will meet your pilot and the team and receive a briefing on safety and emergency procedures (yes, there are procedures, but hot air ballooning is very safe). You will then participate in the balloon inflation. When the envelope is inflated, it is time to climb aboard, and soon after, you will launch skyward to watch the sun rise over the Moroccan Atlas mountains, to a height of 2,000-3,000ft. Your pilot will have the burner fully connected for a spectacular experience.
Exploring the Skies: The Benefits of Hot Air Ballooning in Marrakech
Imagine soaring gently over the red desert of Marrakech at sunrise or taking in the first rays on the Atlas Mountains. Visitors can experience these scenes on a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech, a popular destination for ballooning. The unique blend of Berber, Arab, and French cultures alongside nature’s wonders makes it alluring. This ancient city offers spectacular architecture, colorful souks with handmade goods, rich history, and warm, friendly people. Just outside the city, you find olive groves, orchards, mountain streams, and breathtaking views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains, making ballooning a relaxing way to appreciate this unique area.
Hot air ballooning is a recreational activity where individuals are lifted by a large balloon, controlled in direction and speed from the ground. It is the oldest human-carrying flight technology, considered the world’s oldest form of aviation. Balloons fly by heating air inside a large bag, making them buoyant. Unlike typical balloons, hot air balloons are lighter-than-air aircraft made from nylon or polyester. An opening at the bottom, called the mouth, allows air to flow in as the balloon ascends. Once aloft, flame heat increases the air temperature inside, causing the balloon to rise.
The Unique Landscape of Marrakech
Marrakech offers a diverse cultural experience and unique travel destination for everyone. With the snow-capped Atlas Mountains to the south, the ochre Saharan desert to the east, and the lush fields of the Ourika Valley to the west, visitors can enjoy stunning natural landscapes. A hot air balloon ride in Marrakech is perfect for adventure seekers and nature view enthusiasts.
The Medina and Old Town of Marrakech feature beautiful blue skies, yellow flowers, and white camels against crimson clay walls adorned with arabesque carvings. These ancient walls enclose stunning stone palaces iconic of Moroccan architecture, along with numerous shops bustling with customers seeking colorful souvenirs crafted from traditional techniques.
Breathtaking Views
Marrakech is an amalgamation of rich colors, exotic sounds, and tantalizing scents. Although the city is a wonder on the ground, the real treat is to see it from above. A hot air balloon ride offers breathtaking views of Marrakech nestled in the center in between the snow-capped Atlas Mountains on one side and the desert on the other. A myriad of greens, whites, blues, and browns abound, glimpses of hundreds of the city’s kashbahs peeking out from the dense greenery while wispy clouds drift by. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the snowcapped tops of the mountains in the distance. It’s truly a sight to behold.
The sky shifts colors every minute as the sun rises over the city, starting as a deep blue-green and becoming vibrant hues. The day’s heat warms the surroundings, lifting the scent of baked clay from the earth. Fragrant clouds of orange blossom perfuming the air. Hot air ballooning offers peaceful views of a colorful world, while the city awakens from its slumber, with busy market sounds rising to greet you. The balloon’s soft whisper reminds you this is reality.
A Unique Perspective
For many, the thrill of hot air ballooning lies in the breathtaking views from above. This experience offers a sense of calm and serenity while providing a unique perspective that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Unlike other forms of ballooning, it allows for expansive views instead of being confined to small areas like roads and canals. From the sky, one can admire the beauty of the landscape, including tourist districts filled with adobe buildings, a warm palette of reddish-brown and orange hues at sunset, and the greenery of palm trees. Ground-level views can often feel crowded and limited, making a hot air balloon ride an exceptional way to explore and create lasting memories without the hassle of typical travel concerns.
Connection with Nature
Surrounded by the breathtaking Atlas Mountains and Berber farms, a hot air balloon flight offers a unique connection with nature. Floating peacefully in the air, you’ll hear only the gentle sounds of the gas burner and the wind. Devoid of jet noise and harsh rustling, your experience becomes an acoustic bath of serenity. As the sun rises, warm rays and mesmerizing shadows will transform the landscape around you.
Hot air balloons float effortlessly, creating no disturbance. It’s just you, the gondola, the fire providing updraft, and the winds amidst nature. This quietness defines hot air ballooning: not flying, just floating. It comes at a low cost and requires little investment in time or money. All you need is an experienced pilot. This adventure awaits you in Marrakech. Would you like to ride?
A Memorable Experience
Imagine floating effortlessly through crystal clear skies, gazing at the breathtaking red landscape of Marrakech on a smooth adventure. You and your small group can share the joy of watching the world go by, even participating in takeoff preparations! This experience is about sailing above bustling Marrakech, stunning villages, and the thrill of flying in hot air balloons.
Hot air ballooning tours encourage reflection on life, blending the thrill of the unknown with a sense of safety. Few experiences leave as positive an impression as hot air ballooning. Dating back to the late 18th century, hot air balloons, along with classic sleds and antique planes, are cherished mementos. This meaningful experience appeals to all ages, from grandparents to grandchildren.
Perfect for All Ages
Like many other adventurous activities, ballooning tends to cater to specific audiences. Some people are too young or too old. Some may be vulnerable to height and weather factors, and many companies design group activities extending to cramped baskets and fly together. The more, the merrier. Also, birds fly in packs! The numerous advantages of hot air balloon flights distinguish them from many other reckless adventures. Unlike rides and excursions, hot air balloon rides do not restrict you to particular age brackets.
Hot air ballooning is a safe activity for everyone, including children and seniors. Parents can concentrate on their kids and take beautiful flight pictures, while companions can enjoy breathtaking views without feeling dizzy. The flight is smooth, with the basket gently swaying due to the breeze. No specific medical skills or fitness needed; only children under 6 are advised against flying, and seniors should consult their doctors first.
Hot air ballooning is enjoyable for everyone! If you have ballooning veterans with you, anticipate exciting flight ignition and landing. Guests get involved in capturing the moments of the balloon rolling process. Junior companions will enjoy on-the-surface fireworks, festive music, and their favorite characters. Sensory overload! Their only question might be, why can’t we fly balloons every day?
Romantic Adventure
A hot air balloon ride is a charming, romantic experience many couples dream about, offering majestic views and lasting memories. Marrakech is an ideal backdrop, set between the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, featuring vibrant souks and traditional culture. The desert is alive with stories of spice merchants and Saharan sunsets. During the ride, you can appreciate orchards and Berber tents from two to three thousand feet high. Typically, flights depart at dawn, allowing you to glide silently over the lush countryside as the sun rises, eventually descending to a nearby Berber village for breakfast. Upon landing, you’ll celebrate with a glass of bubbly and receive flowers and a pilot-signed certificate. Afternoon flights reveal beautiful sunsets and the enchanting calls to prayer echoing from local mosques, with Marrakech stunning against the sunset.
Cultural Insights
The view of Marrakech from above is unforgettable, especially when descending from a hot air balloon nearby. The scents and colors of Morocco awaken as you walk through a local Berber village, where women in patterned caftans greet you with smiles and mint tea. Children play as you say, “salam.” Surrounded by aged mud brick buildings, you feel humility, reflecting on the stark differences in your lives.
Hot air ballooning in Marrakech offers more than just a flight. You may join a local family for breakfast and taste traditional dishes. This experience connects you to the country’s rich timeline, showing how few people intersect with it. You’ll recognize that despite diverse traditions, we share our humanity. Kindness bridges our differences.
Photography Opportunities
Marrakech features stunning attractions, unique architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. Many sights that attract visitors are within the Red City or nearby. Exploring from the air provides a chance to capture unique pictures and aerial views of beloved sights. Hot air ballooning offers stunning views over the Moroccan Sahara, especially at sunrise, allowing for amazing photography opportunities.
In a Marrakech hot air balloon, you float gently with the wind. The pilot navigates you back to safety while you capture the sights below. Your focus expands beyond landmarks to the vibrant colors of mosaic tiles and the homes lining narrow streets. Alongside distant horizon photos, close-ups of locals, life in the Medina, blooming gardens, and the Atlas Mountains await. You’ll see fields cared for by Berber farmers, with the High Atlas as a backdrop and the Sahara’s stunning dunes stretching endlessly. Remember to pack more than just your camera and save your memories on an extra-large hard drive.
Tranquil Experience
Marrakech is a bustling city with amazing sights and sounds, making a hot air balloon flight a unique experience. One fascinating aspect is the escape from the city’s noise as you rise above it all. You float in surreal silence, watching Marrakech fade away while the desert sprawls before you. The transition from the city’s hustle to the stillness of the Sahara is extraordinary. Just two hours can take you from the vibrant Djemaa El-Fna Square to drifting over the vast desert, where all is silent.
After enduring the city’s constant noise, hot air ballooning in Marrakech becomes an experience to cherish. Once you ascend, the chaotic morning of reaching the launch site fades away, leaving you in a peaceful moment. This activity allows you to reflect, connect with nature, relax, and meditate while gliding with the gentle whisper of the flame igniting occasionally. It offers a surreal perspective of the world during that hour above. Observing the ground shift below and the shadows cast by the balloons in morning sunlight is truly remarkable. Floating in our envelopes, you’ll embrace the tranquil beauty of the stunning Moroccan landscape.
Professional Guidance
Hot air ballooning is a technical sport; and so choosing the right company and the appropriate crew is a crucial decision to carry out safely and without problems a hot air balloon flight. Although all the companies are required to have professional licenses in accordance with the regulations, they often overlook important details when launching or piloting the balloon, especially on windy days, which could cause delicate accidents. In detail, when you hire the services of a professional company, you can be absolutely sure that your experience is in the hands of people with immense experience. In case something were to go wrong, your safety will always be guaranteed. A pilot and ground crew qualified and dedicated to this will avoid misunderstandings and be protected by universal insurance in case of accidents. A bad experience can ruin your entire trip. Air travel is unreliable, and so sure to choose a hot air balloon service in the city chosen with the best guarantees.
In case you want to enjoy an impressive hot air balloon flight over Morocco, the services we offer are presented as the ideal option. We have 12 years of experience running hot air balloon flights in Morocco, proving to be a benchmark company. We guarantee you the best and most exquisite service. Our balloons are new and are not crowed, carrying a maximum of 20 passengers, a much more exclusive and personal service. In addition, we differ from the majority of Moroccan companies in that our balloon activities are carried out in the most beautiful and most authentic part of the Atlas Mountains. The area traversed by our hot air balloons and the areas where we land are renowned for their beauty.
Floating Over the countryside & rocky black desert: The Magic of Marrakech by Balloon
Marrakech is nicknamed the Red City because of the color of its walls and buildings; however, this name overshadowed another very important peculiarity of the city: its very colorful but very small gardens, which, from the sky, seem to be little spots of green, surrounded by this large expanse of red earth that also characterizes the region. Taking a hot air balloon ride, especially at sunrise, is an incomparable experience, because the sunrise symbolizes the awakening of the world, as well as the ideal moment to glimpse the Atlas Mountain peaks still covered in snow; it is chic to wake up ammonia waves, frozen by the night cold, then to pass it and to see the travel-along families or single dawn walkers. You will also see some Berber men standing on their mules, negotiating the sale of their donkeys or mules; the awakening of the donkey and mule markets… all that is magic! Then, it’s the perfect time to contemplate the play of colors, between the changing sky, the peaks of the Atlas illuminating little by little, and the reddish and brownish earth tones.
It is also chic to be in the air at the time of the hawk lift-off so that you could admire them while they are dreaming on the air current. In addition to this, as enchanting as that of a glider pilot, this endless space is also great for piloting our hot-air balloon towards the big airports and motors. And to finish, trending in to make this great and grandiose park and all these little hotels, formerly riads, and now mostly small hotels, very inviting for tourists wishing to lose themselves in this extraordinary space.
Best Time to Ride a Hot Air Balloon in Marrakech
Probably any time of the year is an excellent time of the year to enjoy a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech, with some exceptions and reservations. From January to mid-March, the region experiences the crisp cool of winter and the average temperature can reach 10-14ºC, while it can drop to below 0ºC during the night. Hot air balloon flights do not take place during rain, snow, or especially high winds and the surface conditions of the ground also determine the number of passengers who can be transported, with more space required for balloon activities and landing. From late March to mid-November, spring and summer arrive. This means pleasant hot days and nights, although it is better to avoid the peak summer months of July and August. During Ramadan, a holy month celebrated by Muslims, we recommend considering the consequences of fasting from dawn until dusk on your travel companion’s mood and energy levels. Within the boundaries of a desert that appears hostile and unfriendly, you can safely hide hot spots; however, try not to mix the summer heats with ballooning. In short, the best time to do hot air balloon rides in Marrakech is all the time. If day time experiences are a little more complicated, try to organize a balloon drop early in the morning or early in the evening. In short, the best time to do hot air balloon rides in Marrakech is all year round, both in the morning and in the afternoon.
From Ground to Sky: Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride in Morocco
Your first hot air balloon ride in Morocco may become the most unforgettable adventure in your life. Imagine standing in an awkwardly assembled basket next to a flaming machine and contemplating which of the manufacturers made the unlikely balloon with a million stitches floating above your head. If the burning fuel sounds like a jet engine, the flames reach the sky behind the balloon and blast heat into its mouth, if everything seems to be in the right order like it should, if you’re lucky enough to have sunny winter or early spring laughter, and if everything seems to be in order, you’re about to take off. The thick balloon will lift and fill with air, the gentle breeze will carry you several kilometers from the takeoff site, and after forty minutes, the balloon will gently lie down on the ground. Before that, you will listen to the party who made the whole ballooning procedure possible. Well, an unprecedented view from 3,000 meters above sea level is a pretty good reason to climb into a basket.
Still not sure how it feels from the inside? Do you want to enjoy oranges of the most unbelievable shades or sit in a basket with a glass of champagne as the beauty of the valleys and the great acres fills your view? No better way to foresee it than to ask for a photo report. Professional photographers do hot air balloon photo and video shoots, so do the experts in aerial shots in Morocco. And if you don’t mind being shot from the ground while you enjoy your balloon ride, you can find companies specialized in that kind of photo or video for lower rates in Marrakech.
Is a Hot Air Balloon in Marrakech Worth It? Our Honest Review
The sky-high view of the Atlas Mountains, the sprawling fields, the beautiful Berber Villages, and the patches of green and yellowish mud, while riding the hot air balloon is completely worth the money and the efforts of getting up early. Watching the countryside coming to life with flocks of sheep and goats is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is, however, not a cheap activity. In addition to the paid excursion, you will have some hidden costs for breakfast or lunch at a local restaurant. It’s not an extreme adventure and there is no pumping adrenaline. We think it’s more of a relaxing family activity than an adventure activity. I would not blame you if you chosen to spend an hour sitting in some lush green fields with your children while they just want to go to the air balloon while you wait for the balloon to land. It’s a pretty rare thing for them to see and it’s worthwhile. The hot air balloon ride is very gentle and does not tend to sway a lot. However, if you are afraid of heights, then you should probably reconsider your decision. Seeing the shadow cast by the balloon is a beautiful thing, and to think that you are controlling the height just with fire is fascinating and impressive – a fantastic experience. The views from the top are breathtaking, especially when the sun gradually rises, illuminating Marrakesh and its impressive desert. It’s best done early morning, that way you’ll even get to see Morocco wake up and get to experience its real, subtle beauty. All in all, it’s a great travel experience, and although it’s not cheap (nothing in Marrakesh is really cheap), we would do it again every time we go back. You will get the breakfast and the insight into the life of the Berber people. The food is worth trying! The whole experience was fun. Have a snack and eat lunch afterward! Even coffee and pastries would be enough to go. I guess that the whole deal revolves around a hot air balloon ride and that’s it? Moreover, it’s a really awesome experience flying a hot air balloon. Without a doubt, we would go again!
Capture the Sunrise: Photography Tips for Balloon Rides in Marrakech
You’re going to be surrounded by stunning scenery, and we’re going to show you how to take the most beautiful photos on your hot air balloon ride. Remember, every ride is breathtaking, but a sunrise flight will blow your mind. First of all, always take a huge amount of photos. Photos capture one quick moment in time, so you’ll want to capture every possible facet of your beauty. Consider shooting at all different times, at different heights, and from different angles.
List of suggested photography tips for balloon rides:
Bring several batteries. The sunrise is timed to be the most beautiful for just a few minutes. You don’t want your battery to die, or you’ll miss it. Also, if your camera allows, bring an extra memory card, just in case. The balloon will be high and you’ll miss the light if you set up your shot while the balloon is low. Your photographer should have an idea of how to time the ride, and they will take the most time taking shots during the most beautiful time.
Use a high shutter speed, and shoot in burst mode if you have it. When you’re moving, you’ll be fine if you have any motion blur, but you usually don’t want it on still objects. When the sun is rising, the light will be difficult. Try switching to bracketed pictures, and take one slightly underexposed, one correctly exposed, and one slightly overexposed.
You’ll want to take as many pictures as possible, and hope to capture the most beautiful moment. You can take pictures handheld for a little bit, but you really don’t want to move. Trust us. During the bright part of sunrises, you’re often fine. The light can look too perfect, and then seem a little harsh. A lower ISO works better.
Hot Air Balloon vs Camel Ride: Which Marrakech Experience to Choose?
12. Hot Air Balloon vs Camel Ride: Which Marrakech Experience to Choose?
Two of the most famous activities around Marrakech are hot air balloon rides and camel rides. But which one should you choose? Read on below for the pros and cons we’ve laid out for both of these experiences to figure out which one is best for you.
We were in Marrakech for a week and had plenty of time to do both. Hot air balloons take off at sunrise, allowing you to catch both the sunrise magic and the golden sunlight reflecting off the mountains. In contrast, camel rides are done during the middle of the day when it’s hottest, making it not the most pleasant time.
Camel riding is only popular in a small part of the world, so if you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, definitely do a camel ride in Morocco. Top that off with a traditional Berber lunch, and you’re in for an unforgettable time spent with the locals. If you’re looking for a more storybook-like experience, check with the hotel you’re staying at to see if they can arrange a camel ride to coincide with your evening return from an Atlas mountain hike or trek.
Hot air ballooning has become really popular in the last few years, becoming a major draw into the country for foreigners. Ballooning is also only available in a few locations around the world, however for Morocco it’s not the first time balloons have been floating above, with tourists enjoying rides above the dunes. Thus, we took to the skies!
Luxury in the Air: VIP Hot Air Balloon Rides in Marrakech
Marrakech is widely known for its hot air balloon rides. It has been well recognised for many years and is always in the top 10 things to do in Marrakech. We offer two services for hot air balloon rides. We operate the normal service where you can ride with other customers. We also operate the special VIP service. Our special hot air balloon VIP service offers high-quality, luxury and exclusive service for clients who are looking for something special. When our VIP clients arrive at the start location, they are offered light refreshments made with fruits, pastries and drinks. After our clients enjoy the refreshment, they leave on our cars while other clients will be in the hot air balloon. When our VIP clients are in the air, our team will put all the luggage into the cars and start moving towards the landing area. After the balloon finishes, when our clients are on the right landing area, the cars will arrive. To our balloon, we don’t have the truck to eliminate the visual pollution while our VIP clients are in the air since our trucks can’t follow our clients. Whatever happens in the air, we will never use the truck until our clients land.
When our cars arrive on the right landing area, we will first receive the VIP guests and be super easy to take them out from the cars as one of our team members will assist them. Our balloons are where other clients don’t arrive visually, so we are sure our guests take the best pictures as a souvenir. After all guests come out, we offer drinks, and meals made with haute cuisine. Generally, balloons are in the air for only an hour of your flight because of the wind conditions. For our special VIP clients, they can enjoy the flight more than one hour or even over than that.
Marrakech Balloon Ride: Pricing, Duration & Booking Tips
As we mentioned already, riding hot air balloons is one of the most interesting things to do in Marrakech. This majestic city has many amazing attractions, but the view from up above is uncomparable! Although all the company prices are more or less similar, there are some pros and cons to each of them. The duration of the balloon flight is often 1 hour only, but the organization times are a bit longer than that. Read the timeline below to find out the best excursions and options to book, and what the approximate prices are.
Pricing for Hot Air Balloon Rides in Marrakech
Like with all other establishments offering rides, the prices for a hot air balloon in Marrakech differ greatly. Depending on the season, your group’s size, the service level, and some included extras, the total price will be different. To give you an idea, the starting prices for a person for group rides are between 150 and 300 euros. However, smaller groups, family services, and luxury providers charge up to 450 euros per person for the same ride! This discrepancy is quite normal, and sometimes there is little difference in the value of the service. However, depending on the company, you could be waiting for nearly 3 hours!
Most group rides last between 30 and 60 minutes, but there are some that last up to 90 minutes. Moreover, many companies will not guarantee you an exclusive balloon until you arrive and pay for your ride. Some companies offer this option for an extra price. But contrary to what they may say, you can decline and still enjoy the ride exclusively without paying any surcharge! Sometimes it’s even possible to fly with only your family and friends alone, with no extra charge. Of course, this highly depends on the day and the company flow.
Family-Friendly Fun: Hot Air Ballooning with Kids in Marrakech
Families with kids looking for fun in the hot air ballooning world will find Marrakech a kid-centered launching off point. The ballooning season starts at the beginning of the cool winter months of October and November and is the perfect, fancy, once-in-a-lifetime, family thing to do in Marrakech. Because it is an early morning activity, children tend to be a bit tired and cranky, so an early bedtime the night before is advisable. But the sunrise flight and the celebratory banquet afterwards is a magical place that kids are sure to marvel and talk about for years to come! After breakfast and the safety briefing, kids will watch how fun it is to fill the huge balloon with air and see how enormous it becomes. From the balloon, the world below, including nearby homes, palm trees, and herds of sheep and goats, cruise long before your eyes. Closer to the earth, the families and their tour guides set up the breakfast buffet decorated by the side of a tiny stream.
Kids will have a blast after breakfast playing around and exploring the little stream and the patch of desert grass nearby. After eating and resting, the families and the pilot pack up the picnic stuff to head back to Marrakech. The kids may look up for another glimpse of the balloon, clutching the passenger certificate they received before heading back to the hotel. This is truly a unique occasion your family should experience together at least once!
Environmental Considerations of Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air balloons are one of the most eco-friendly ways of traveling. It wouldn’t be at all an exaggeration to say that people with even a lukewarm interest in airborne adventure should experience going up in a hot air balloon at least once in their lifetime. However, just like automobiles, planes, trains, and other modes of transport, hot air balloon flights do have an environmental impact. It is difficult and impractical to provide exact measures of particular environmental effects, but some can be considered from a larger perspective.
One major advance in making aviation ‘greener’ comes from advances in technology allowing greater fuel efficiency in hot air balloon burners. Slightly larger balloon envelopes and other structural advancements, fuel load management, and resistive winds on departure all contribute to a more efficient flight that uses the least fuel necessary. Improvements that lead to greater efficiency mean that the burning of hydrocarbons with associated carbon dioxide emissions – and the resulting greenhouse gases and global climate change – are, to some degree reduced. But once again, the method provides no sustainable alternative, as only ballooning over short distances that are not realistically connected by road or rail can be considered. Couples do still feel the unique intimacy of a hot air balloon flight that cannot be surpassed by other modes of airborne travel though, and many operators will happily arrange privately chartered flights for anniversaries and special occasions.
Another significant factor is the noise level emitted. Even though people in an airliner fly far higher than hot air balloon passengers, the noise from jet aircraft is tremendous, and creates a far greater annoyance in the vicinity of cities and airports – the principle complaint being the sound of jets “taking off” – than general aviation, and indeed hot air balloons. In contrast, the noise from hot air balloon burners is negligible, particularly if winds are blowing it away from the ground as the aircraft fly over.
The Role of Hot Air Ballooning in Moroccan Tourism
Those who decide to visit Morocco will go on a treasure hunt throughout the different cities, looking for various pieces of art from a rich civilization, where the magical mixture of the Berber, Arab, and French cultures coexists. In addition to visiting the small doors of Chefchaouen or the colorful souks of Marrakech, those who wish to capture the best of the Morocco scenery are given the chance to fly in a hot-air balloon ride overlooking the desert or the Atlas mountains. Tourism is one of the main growth sectors of the Moroccan economy and accounts for more than 9% of GDP. Over 70% of tourist activity is concentrated in just ten destinations, with Marrakech leading the list with 40% of tourist nights. The government has taken steps to modernize and increase the hotel stock, which today has about 106,000 rooms. It is planned to reach 150,000 in 2010. In order to stimulate tourism and increase visits to the eastern regions of the country, the tourist office is promoting new tourist products, which until recently were still little known, such as adventure, aeronautics, or the desert. Hot-air balloon rides are gradually discovering their clients thanks to specialized agencies. The concentration of hot-air balloon rides in the Marrakkech region and its peripheral areas is due, on the one hand, to the popularity of this tourist city among national and international travelers, and, on the other, to the diversity of the natural environments that can be contemplated from the air.
Cultural Significance of Ballooning in Marrakech
By chance ballooning arrived in Morocco thanks to French colonization. When several of the most important military leaders of the far World decided to make demonstrations in Paris, the kingdom of Morocco was invited and brought to those parades closed by their sultans. The first balloon was built in a clandestine manner. Ballooning began in Bahia de Tangiers, the current wind tower, then passed through the Dar El Morro, eventually arriving at Marrakech. As a tourist, you have the possibility to experience this adventure, to practice this sport, and to develop an ambition. In Marrakech you can do several activities, like walking along the Dadar Valley, eating with Berbers, keeping in touch with their culture; visiting the lake; and going to watch the monkeys. But rooftop hot air balloon rides offer a different and unique perspective! Floating for a while – allowing us to enjoy the most fantastic sunrise, relaxed on comfortable sofas, sharing experiences with friends at breakfast – before embarking on a 1-hour flight that offers us these saturated colors. A truly exciting and incomparable experience! Come and discover the moon with us; join us for an unforgettable experience!
Preparing for Your Hot Air Balloon Experience
When preparing for your hot air balloon experience, there are certain things to keep in mind before deciding you want to book a trip. Packing essentials is an important step to preparing for adventure. Since most companies start early, you will have to consider what time you want to start your day. Be prepared for different types of weather, hot air balloons fly very early in the morning, so don’t be surprised if it’s a little chilly outside. This means it’s a good idea to wear layers, so once the sun comes out, you can take some items off and not overheat. Arriving to Marrakech at the right time during the year is essential when planning for a hot air balloon ride. Since Morocco has so many different microclimates, some areas have nice weather while others are much colder depending on the time of year. Hot air balloon companies are not able to operate in very windy regions, this includes Marrakech. The best time to visit Marrakech and want to participate in a balloon ride would be either spring or fall. The summer months are too hot and cause the air to become too unstable which isn’t safe for flying. Winter is also a hard time to fly due to the chilly weather. Both May and September are great transitions months so you can take advantage of mild winter and summer temperatures while having a great hot air balloon ride adventure. It’s best to contact the company in advance and ensure that flying is available during the time you are visiting Marrakech. If it’s safe to fly, they will go ahead and confirm your reservation; however, if the weather is bad and you are in Marrakech for a short amount of time, you should consider booking an alternative activity just in case flying is not possible.
What to Wear for a Hot Air Balloon Ride
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You may have seen hot air balloon rides in the movies, wisping fancily through a bright sunrise sky while floating airy above endless fields. But in Marrakech, you will see something slightly different. The sighting of hot air balloons drifting over the spectacular landscapes of Marrakech is mesmerizing. A ride in it comes instead with an adventure-packed day helping to prepare the balloon for takeoff, brunching in the woods of heart-warming Berbers sitting on carpets, and getting treated to an adrenaline boosting ride by experienced and professional pilots. And if you have a hangover, well you need not worry. After reading tips on what to wear during hot air balloon rides, you shall avoid sickening in an airbag because you have dressed wrongly.
Hot air balloon rides can occur almost all year round. But depending on when you visit Marrakech, summer, autumn, or winter, you should choose your clothes to wear adequately. Especially if it is summer, then be sure to bring layers. Hot summer days in Marrakech can turn into crisp cool mornings and even cooler evenings, and hot air ballooning usually starts early in the morning. It can be dusky and cold outside, so pack a light jacket or coat unless your tour operator provides you with one. Although you will be sitting in a basket while drifting in the sky, it can get windy and chilly as well once the balloon is in the air. So make sure to bring a windbreaker or hoodie to protect yourself from the wind. On the other hand, when you are around in the middle of summer, make sure to also wear light clothes because it is likely to get hot during the day. Long pants are recommended, especially if you have a sensitivity for sun drilling against your skin.
Post-Ride Activities in Marrakech
There is always post-ride fun to be had after a hot air balloon ride. Marrakech is an awe-inspiring city and there are so many things to see and do. Enjoy sightseeing in the old Medina or maybe go on a day trip into the high mountains or the Sahara desert. Below is a selection of guides and tour operators we can recommend.
While hot air ballooning is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it should only be part of your journey. The following are suggestions as to what to do next and also other options for when you might want to add a hot air balloon flight in Morocco. Marrakech is a vibrant city within a breathtaking desert landscape. Sunsets over the Sahara are sublime and probably the most famous images of Morocco.
In the Medina, you can experience the believers praying at the Koutoubia Mosque while modern-day tradesmen maintain the ancient Marrakech lifestyle. The streets are narrow and full of souks selling all kinds of wares from tagines to leather products, carpets and jewelry. We can recommend a number of guides who specialize in showing groups or individuals around the Medina. They can take you off the beaten track to local areas not usually inhabited by tourists. These guides have passion for their country and will tell you all about local history and traditions. Culinary tours are popular for good reasons. Moroccan food has been influenced by traders from all over the world and contains many spices and flavors. These tours begin in the colorful souks and continue onto dinner at a local restaurant or even making the food yourself at a local house.
Choosing the Right Hot Air Balloon Company
There are many companies providing hot air balloon tours in Marrakech. You can find several companies offering such rides and you are invited to assess and narrow down your selection based on several parameters. The first important question is whether the company you want to travel with has international parks management and security safety certifications. The company of choice should certify that it flies in good conditions. All the ground processing equipment and the balloon should be in perfect condition. The pilots are usually all licensed and have at least a thousand flight hours. From my experience, it is also a good idea to check if the company is a member of a label, or even better, a recognized label that oversees standards for safety and high-quality service of companies operating hot air balloons. It is also important to know if the company you want to fly with is internationally insured to cover accidents and unforeseen events related to the flight and ground operations. Another interesting point is to check what is included in the price you’ll pay for the flight. Sensibly remarkable price fluctuations can be observed from one company to another. Would you mind checking if drinks and food are included? Are transfers from your hotel to the balloon launching site included? Are souvenir pictures taken during the flight offered at the end of the ride? What distance will the van drive you to from your hotel to the flight site? Will you share the basket size with only your party? Are you flying over interesting, rich landscapes?
Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Air Ballooning
While flying in a hot air balloon can be a daunting idea for some, understanding how the ride works, what to expect, and what you need to bring can make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable. Is it safe to fly in a hot air balloon? Yes, contrary to what many believe, hot air ballooning is one of the safest forms of transport available to the public. In fact, there are more annual accidents in cars and bicycles than in hot air balloon accidents. What if I don’t want to help? Passengers are not required to help during the ballooning experience. However, efforts to assist ballooning ground crew with the set up and take down are always appreciated. How long does the flight take? Hot air balloon flights typically last for an hour. However, the total experience that includes the drive to the launch site, the balloon inflation process, the flight, and the return to the launch site typically takes two to three hours. This is a general time frame. The exact timing may vary depending on your specific balloon pilot and the weather conditions. What should we wear? It is best to dress in layers. Mornings can be chilly, especially in the winter months, but warmer clothing may be too hot during the flight, and light jackets often become clammy in the summer heat. It is best to wear clothes appropriate for the season and closed-toe shoes with socks. Sandals, flip-flops, and high heels are not great choices. Put your glasses on your nose instead of on your head, as they will likely fall off when the balloon lands. You should also wear hats with straps, as they can easily blow away. Lastly, do not bring your purse with you.
Personal Experiences: Testimonials from Riders
We asked riders to share their experiences on the Marrakech hot air balloon flights; here are a few of their delightful recounts.
“Honestly speaking, you won’t understand the rush of it all unless you jump this hot air balloon ride in Marakkesh. We started the trip early. More than us, the kids were too excited to go on the balloon and see the other balloons in the sky! When we reached the balloon site, watching other balloons take off made us happy as well as curious at the same time! Following the initial gas burst and packing inside the balloon, we lifted off. A ride for a couple of minutes to adjust and then a 360 degrees panorama. For the first time watching the Atlas mountains and the other side dry plateau and valleys, air completely still. What more could you ask for on your special day? Worth every penny. Make sure you take a ride in the Marrakech sunrise flight! There were so many spices in the hot air balloon ride that we forgot the taste of the breakfast that followed.” – Review from Ramadan
“I booked our hot air balloon flight on my girlfriend’s birthday based on great reviews. We were collected from our riad and transported to the launch site. We watched the balloon being blown up which was fantastic. We took off and rose above the city into the countryside enjoying a fantastic sunrise and amazing views over The Atlas Mountains. The team was fantastic. I can’t recommend this trip enough. Just great!” – Review from Jimmy
“My wife and I and some friends travelled to Marrakech in January and decided a hot air balloon ride would be fun. It was, but it was much more than fun. Our driver picked us up early in the morning at our hotel and drove us with a small group out to the site; there we watched the balloon being inflated; it was cold and damp and we wondered what we were getting ourselves into. Once we got into the balloon, our doubts evaporated. The takeoff was smooth, and soon we were drifting above the countryside. The ride was magnificent!” – Review from Steve
Safety Regulations and Guidelines
Before you sign up for a hot air balloon adventure in Marrakech, make sure you know all the safety regulations and industry guidelines. Hot air ballooning is an enjoyable experience in a fun aerostat, but before climbing inside the basket make sure you are aware of the regulations and guidelines that are created to keep your flight as safe as possible. The following is a list of the most popular regulations and guidelines for hot air ballooning:
– You must be at least eight years old to ride in a hot air balloon. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult that can sign a waiver and parent.
– If you have a disability, you may be able to ride in the balloon, but you must be able to stand on your own and you must notify the operator ahead of time.
– If you are pregnant, some schools do not let you fly. You must note your pregnancy when making a reservation.
– You should wear a solid shoe and not sandals. The reason for this is because there is a chance of the basket coming in contact with the ground.
– Children who are ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied in the balloon by a parent or guardian.
– You must be physically able to get into and out of the hot air balloon, as well as stand for the duration of the flight.
– You must follow any instructions that the hot air balloon pilot or crew members give you.
– If you have a receding hairline, it is important to protect your scalp with either a hat or a scarf. The reason why you want to protect your scalp is because the burner flame can be very hot.
The Future of Hot Air Ballooning in Marrakech
The future of hot air ballooning in Marrakech is bright. With the growing popularity of adventure tourism, more and more people are flocking to this magical city to experience the thrill of floating high above the desert, gazing down on breathtaking landscapes, and marvelling at the splendour of the Moroccan countryside. Balloon flight operators are working hard to make their services as eco-friendly as possible. Tours already include breakfast made from locally grown organic ingredients. Ground teams seek to minimize their impact on the desert environment when setting up for clientele who want to create an incomparable memory by taking off from, or landing in, the Moroccan dunes. There certainly has been a growing awareness of the need to embrace sustainable tourism in Morocco. Such an awareness includes not only more responsible use of natural resources but also efforts to maintain and promote the Moroccan artisanal traditions. Marrakech is a center of Moroccan craft activities, and therefore a major element of the local economy. Sensitive travelers are becoming increasingly involved with the local communities in a responsible manner during their hot air ballooning experience.
Many questions remain regarding how to effectively balance the need for tourism as an economic income source with the necessity of preserving fragile areas and their cultural identity. Hot air ballooning in the sense of an aerial safari has not been around for very long but should not become a victim of its own popularity by causing irrecoverable damage to the natural world. Flying over Marrakech and the surrounding area should ideally be an extraordinary and exciting moment shared with a only a few other people. Adventure travel is one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry worldwide so that the demand is there for responsible suppliers who lead by example, allowing tourists to share the richness, diversity and glorious colors of this unique country.
Conclusion
To summarize, hot air ballooning is one of the most wonderful experiences that a visitor can try while in Marrakech and is the perfect complement to any stay in a city that is friendly and hospitable by nature. The sunrise over the Red City and surrounding Atlas Mountains will be a photo to treasure forever, and indeed your entire time spent aloft will be memorable. It is a relaxing experience where you can enjoy the tranquility of floating while exploring the contrasting landscape below. The coolness of the dawn followed by the incredible warmth of the rising sun will engender a unique moment in time. It is an impressive way to fully appreciate the vastness of the magical land of Morocco’s countryside and the Berber villages that populate it. Everywhere you look you will have a different wonderful view to cherish. After your ride you will be returned to the launch site and treated to a feast to help you prepare for the day ahead. The flight staff will share a glass of traditional Berber mint tea and some cakes, relishing that special moment when your feet touch the ground again after the flight. Then the whole team will help to prepare the champagne ceremony where you will be awarded an honorary flight certificate, duly signed and stamped, to keep as a souvenir of your ballooning adventure. When you have finished sharing your good memories out of your magnificent sunrise flight, and saying good-bye to all the people who made your flight so incredible, the transport will take you back to your hotel in Marrakech or your guest house in a nearby village.
