Best Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride in 2024

Want to choose the best Marrakech hot air balloon ride in 2024? If so then you have come to the right place. I literally just did a Marrakech hot air balloon tour and loved it.

TBH I was a bit on the fence about it since I had done a hot air balloon tour before and wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. And while this one definitely wasn’t as good as the other one I did in Cappadocia, it was still really fun.

I even asked everyone in my group how they felt about this Marrakech hot air balloon tour and they all said they absolutely loved it.

So, if this is your first experience in a hot air balloon definitely book this tour. The views are stunning and you’ll be amazed as you watch the sunrise with tons of hot air balloons soaring through the sky.

However, if you have already flown in a hot air balloon then you might want to give this experience a pass. I just think it’s a lot of money and doesn’t have that next-level “wow” factor that places like Cappadocia do.

But, to help you make the best decision possible, I’ll go over my Marrakech hot air balloon experience. I’ll list all the pros and cons and give you some tips so that you can plan the best trip possible.

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Should I Book a Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride?

Overall I thought my hot air balloon ride over Marrakech was worth it. Sure, it wasn’t as impressive as the hundreds of balloons I saw in Cappadocia.

However, my ride was over an hour. I also got hot tea/cake upon arrival, a first flight certificate (with my name in Arabic) to take home as a fun Marrakech souvenir, and a full Berber breakfast.

I also loved that my driver texted me the afternoon before my trip to confirm my pick-up time and location. Yeah, I hate when they leave it til like 9:00 pm the night before because then I get anxious that they won’t show up.

Additionally, all my drivers and instructors were super nice and showed up right on time. FYI, a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech is cheaper than the tours you’ll find in other places.

I know in Cappadocia we paid at least €250.00 per person – no breakfast included. In contrast, I paid around $200.00 for this tour, got a full breakfast, and rode around in the hot air balloon for well over an hour.

So, overall I think this Marrakech hot air balloon ride offered great value for money. Plus, everyone I talked to was really happy with the tour, even though it was a bit cloudy and visibility wasn’t as good as it could have been.

My Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Experience

To help you make the best decision possible, I will outline my personal experience and list all of the pros and cons of my trip.

This way know exactly what to expect from this Marrakech day trip and can make the BEST decision for you – even if that’s NOT booking a hot air balloon tour.

The Pick Up

The first thing I loved was that I was pleasantly surprised at 3:00 pm the day before my tour when I got a text from Marrakech Dream Ballooning.

Yeah, I hate when they text at the last minute and have me wondering if they are gonna show up.

Anyway, they texted me on Whatsapp to confirm my trip and to let me know about my pick-up time and location. They said my driver would pick me up between 4:30 am and 5:00 am at Cafe Clock, which is also an epic brunch spot in Marrakech.

FYI, when you book the trip they will ask you to enter the name of your hotel. If you are in central Marrakech they will pick you up no problem.

However, many streets in the Medina cannot fit cars. So, many drivers pick you up from a designated pick-up location. My pick-up location was maybe 5 minutes from my riad.

And, what do you know? That is exactly what he did. Mohammed showed up right at 4:30 am and whisked me, and three other people, away on our hot air balloon adventure.

I also loved that we didn’t have to spend forever driving around to 6 different hotels. Instead, small groups are picked up in range rovers and then driven for betwen 30 and 45 minutes to the actual hot air balloon launch site.

The one downside was that my driver didn’t really speak English. But, he was a great driver and got us there safely. In fact, he was so good that we were the first ones to arrive.

TBH, I kind of wish they picked us up at 5:00 am so that we weren’t waiting around so long for everyone to arrive.

Arrival

Me and the three other women in my car chatted as we made our way to the hot air balloon launch site. In total, the drive took between 35 and 40 minutes. It was super easy since no one was on the road that early in the morning.

Upon arrival, we were escorted into a traditional Moroccan-style tent. We took our shoes off and were served hot mint tea (or coffee) and cake from a man dressed in traditional Moroccan garb.

The food was okay but I thought it was a nice gesture and something to do while we waited. FYI, you can also use the toilet since there is one right across from the tent.

I also loved that they had bottles of water. Somehow, I always feel thirsty here since the air in Marrakech is very hot and dry.

The one downside is that because our driver was so efficient, we were the very first ones to arrive. Therefore, we kind of sat around doing nothing for awhile.

So, I wish he had picked us up at 5:00 am instead. This way I could have had more time to sleep.

Boarding the Hot Air Balloon

I honestly don’t remember anyone telling us it was time to get into the balloon. We were all just kind of chatting before a guy came up to us and tried to sell us a personalized video.

We declined and then I got up to get some water. As I got up, I saw the balloons were being inflated. I grabbed my stuff and quickly went outside so I could grab some photos and watch.

We were then escorted as a group over to the two balloons. In total, around 25 people were in each basket and we used steps in the side of the basket to climb in.

FYI, the basket is further separated into little compartments with three or four people. I know it sounds like a ton of people but when you’re in the balloon it doesn’t feel packed.

We also received a quick safety briefing and were told the squat down and hold the handle when it was time to land.

After that, we were ready to enjoy the best Marrakech hot air balloon tour.

The Flight

All in all, the flight was magical. Our pilot had twenty years of experience flying all over the world and expertly navigated us through the sky, even though the visibility wasn’t amazing.

It’s worth noting that you don’t fly over Marrakech but through the countryside where you can see farms and mosques sitting beneath you.

Additionally, you’ll watch the sunrise in the distance and see around twenty other balloons gliding through the air. You’ll listen to a “hot air balloon” themed playlist while you fly and can ask the pilot anything you like.

Generally, you’ll reach a maximum height of around 3,000 feet and can enjoy sweeping views of the area. It’s pretty relaxing and you just basically chill, take photos, and enjoy the view.

We were in the air for around an hour and it didn’t feel like too much or too little time. You had enough time to enjoy the flight and take photos without getting bored.

The landing was also really smooth and we didn’t even need to crouch down. Once we landed, we got out of the balloon and went over to get our flight certificates with our names written out in Arabic.

We were then driven in a large van (maybe 15 minutes) down the road, back to the same tent, to have a traditional Berber breakfast.

Breakfast

Breakfast was a bit awkward just because they randomly place you with people you’ve never spoken to. But, the meal doesn’t take long so it’s not a huge deal.

One of the reasons why I booked this tour is that it included a traditional meal that kind of doubled as a cool cultural experience. So, it wasn’t like you just got out of the balloon and left but had a bit of time to relax and eat.

Now, the meal was served pretty quickly and included mint tea, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, kiwis, pears, oranges, boiled eggs, mesemen (savory Moroccan pancake), Baghrir (another Moroccan pancake that I hate since I think it tastes like a sponge), and bread.

You then dip all of the bread in either honey or olive oil and enjoy the meal. Was it the best breakfast in Marrakech? No. I wish they had Amlou (almond butter) and spreadable cheese to use with the bread.

Additionally, the Msemen was kind of hard and not very good. However, I am a total snob when it comes to Moroccan food since I live here and know how it should taste.

However, I think that most people will be totally happy with this breakfast and grateful for it since it’s around 7:45 am/8:00 am and you’ll be getting hungry.

When you’re ready, you’ll find your original driver and make your way back to Marrakech and your hotel. I arrived at my hotel around 9:00 am or 9:10 am and was dropped off like two minutes away.

Why Choose Marrakech Dream Ballooning

⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5.0 (537 Reviews) Price: $200.00 per person Duration: 4 hours 📍Meeting Point: Varies Operator: Marrakech Dream Ballooning Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

The company I went with was Marrakech Dream Ballooning. I chose to do a Marrakech hot air balloon tour with them because when I read the reviews everyone raved about them.

People talked about how safe they were, how great the pilots were, and how this was one of the best things they did in Marrakech.

I also know they my pilot has flown hot air balloons all over the world and has 20+ years of experience. I mean you could feel his passion for it when he was answering people’s questions.

“Best thing we did in Marrakech! The early start is worth the trip to see the sunrise over the mountains. We took our two children (5 & 8 years) and they loved it. The food is delicious and really fresh. The guides are incredibly welcoming and the pilot made us feel safe throughout. Our driver, Simo, was punctual and navigated the busy streets of the city brilliantly. It was an experience of a lifetime!”

Claire (read more reviews now)

Additionally, all the staff were kind, prompt, and happy to answer any questions I had.

The flight was also pretty long and very smooth. In general, you get to spend anywhere between an hour and 45 minutes in the air.

I also liked that I would be able to watch the sunrise from the balloon and that everything was included, like breakfast and transfers.

I HATE when you pay for a tour and then they ask you for more money every five minutes. So, I was very happy with my decision to fly with Marrakech Dream Ballooning and would definitely fly with them again in the future.

Other Picks for the Best Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride

• Marrakesh: Early Morning 40-Minute Balloon Flight – This 40-minute balloon flight with BallOOning Marrakech is very well reviewed (4.9/5.0 with 577 reviews) and is around $20.00 cheaper than my flight. You won’t get to see the sunrise from the air since you’ll get picked up at 7:00 am. But, otherwise, this experience is the same as my trip. So, if you are on a budget then this Marrakech hot air balloon tour might be a good option.

• Marrakech: Hot Air Balloon Flight with Berber Breakfast – This balloon tour with Sunrise Balloon is another great option if you’re on a budget since the flight is $30.00 cheaper than the one I took. It’s not as well-reviewed (4.7/5.0 with 78 reviews) but does include a Continental breakfast before your flight and a Berber breakfast after your one hour flight. You will also get to watch the sunrise from the balloon and all transfers are included. So, it’s basically the same as the tour I did.

• Marrakech: Classic Shared Balloon Flight – Again, this tour is basically the same as the one I did. I didn’t go with it because the reviews weren’t as good (4.8/5 with 770 reviews) and it was a bit more expensive than the tour I booked. But, Ciel d’Afrique Hot Air Ballooning operates this tour in the same way and the only difference is that you will go to a local Berber home for tea and bread, rather than having a full breakfast. So, this might be a good option if you’re looking for a more authentic dining experience.

Tips for the Best Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Tour Possible

Here are some tips you can use to have the best experience possible when doing a hot air balloon ride over Marrakech.

• Dress Warmly – I did my hot air balloon ride at the start of April and it was quite chilly and a bit windy before dawn. So, I wore a sweatshirt and a fleece to keep me warm. I suggest you do the same since being super cold detracts from the awesomeness of the experience.

• Check the Weather – It was kind of cloudy and hazy when I went which was a bit of a bummer since the views weren’t as good as they could have been. So, be sure to check the weather before you book your tour. You want to make sure it won’t be cloudy and it won’t be windy since the balloons can’t fly in high winds. Also, have a backup plan if your flight does get canceled.

• Check the Start Time of Your Tour – I opted for a pre-dawn departure because I wanted to watch the sunrise from the hot air balloon. I almost went with this tour since it was cheaper. However, I then realized that while it left early in the morning, it left after sunrise. So, double-check the start time of your tour to make sure you get exactly what you want.

• Sleep Well the Night Before – The pickup time for this sunrise tour is EARLY. Like, 4:30 am early – and my driver was right on time. So, I suggest you go to bed early so that you feel well-rested and ready for your trip.

• You Probably Won’t Get Picked Up at Your Hotel – If you’re staying in the Medina then many streets are too small for cars. If this is the case, your driver will pick you up at a location that is close to your hotel. I had to walk five minutes and had no problem finding my pick-up spot. They even give you a map with a location so you know where to go.

• Head Back to Your Hotel After the Trip – Marrakech gets hot during the day. So, it’s a good idea to head back to your hotel to change into cooler clothes before continuing with your 4 days in Marrakech. I know I wanted to change my pants and drop off my fleece/sweatshirt so that I didn’t have to walk around with them all day. Also, be sure to put on plenty of sunscreen and pack a water bottle since the sun is very strong during the day.

• Plan Ahead – This is a very popular activity and Marrakech hot air balloon tours can fill up fast, especially during peak season. So, if this is somthing you really want to do then be sure to book your trip well in advance.

• Double Check the Cancellation Policy – I booked through Get Your Guide so I was covered through them. However, if you book privately then make sure the company’s cancellation policy includes a refund or a re-booking if your flight is cancelled.

• Make Sure a Transfer is Included – My transfer was included but some companies charge you extra to drive you to and from the site.

Where Do Hot Air Balloons Fly in Morocco?

Hot air balloons really only fly in Marrakech, in the Palmerie area, and in the Agafay Desert but not near any Agafay Desert camps or luxury Agafay Desert camps. You can do a hot air balloon flight in Agadir but that is by special request only.

So, a hot air balloon ride is one of the unique things to do in Marrakech and nowhere else in Morocco really.

How Much is a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Marrakech?

I paid around $200.00 for my flight. However, I have seen them cost anywhere between $170.00 per person and $250.00 per person. Just be aware that prices can change based on the season and demand for flights.

How Long is a Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride?

The actual flight itself generally lasts anywhere between 40 minutes and 60 minutes. However, the entire tour will take between four and five hours from start to finish.

Is It Safe to Ride in a Hot Air Balloon?

Yes, the FAA has indicated that hot air balloons are about 50 times safer than driving a car. Therefore, accidents are very rare and are usually the result of changing wind conditions. So, fly with a reputable company and amke sure you do not fly during high winds.

When to Fly in a Hot Air Balloon in Marrakech?

Ideally, you want clear skies and minimal winds. So, the best time to fly in a hot air balloon in Marrakech is in either spring or summer.

However, you should be able to fly in September and October too since this is one of the best times to visit Marrakech.

That wraps up this guide to the best Marrakech hot air balloon ride. If you liked this post, be sure to join our email list and Facebook group for even more awesome Morocco travel tips.

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