Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride: Sunrise over the Atlas Mountains

You drift above the Atlas Mountains as the sun clears the peaks and snow turns gold.

A hot air balloon ride from Marrakech that launches at sunrise over the High Atlas Mountains, with 40 minutes to an hour aloft, a safety briefing, breakfast after landing, and a flight certificate. The tour picks you up from your hotel and includes an air-conditioned vehicle. Guides speak English, Spanish or French. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Atlas Mountains

• Pick up at hotel in Marrakech
• Drive through Tizin'tichka pass
• Stop for pictures at pass
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Explore Ksar mud buildings
• Drive through roses valley and Boumalen Dades
• Overnight in Dades Valley

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert

• Depart Dades Valley to Merzouga
• Visit Todra Gorges
• See palm oasis of Tinejdad and Touroug
• Visit Erfoud fossil sites
• Start camel ride to desert camp
• Enjoy sunset in desert
• Dinner and Berber music at camp
• Overnight in desert camp

Day 3: Merzouga Desert to Fes via Ziz Valley

• Enjoy sunrise and breakfast in camp
• Leave desert for Fes
• Drive through Ziz Valley
• Lunch break
• Arrive in Fes and end tour

The experience

The day starts before sunrise when the driver collects you from your hotel in Marrakech. You head out to the launch site in the countryside while the air is still cool and still: the conditions balloons need. Once there, a safety briefing walks you through what happens in the basket and how to brace for landing. Then the balloon inflates, the burner fires, and you step in.

For 40 minutes to an hour you're aloft over the Atlas Mountains, watching the landscape shift from shadow to color as the sun rises. In winter, snow covers the high peaks. The basket drifts with the wind. There's no engine noise, no vibration. Just the occasional roar of the burner and the view expanding below. A guide travels with you and points out the terrain: valleys, villages, the shape of the mountains themselves.

When you land, there's breakfast waiting. After you've caught your breath and the crew has packed the balloon, you get a flight certificate to take home. The whole experience (from pickup to return to your hotel) is handled. You show up and the rest unfolds around you.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a safety briefing before and during the flight.
• 40 minutes to an hour in the air over the Atlas Mountains.
• breakfast after landing.
• a flight certificate to take home.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 67 years) · Infant (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a morning free and want to see the Atlas Mountains from above: the balloon launches at dawn, so you'll catch the sunrise over snow-capped peaks.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the hot air balloon ride start from my hotel in Marrakech?

The driver picks you up before sunrise so you reach the launch site while the air is still and cool. The exact time depends on the season and when sunrise occurs, but expect an early morning departure.

How long am I actually in the air during the balloon ride?

The balloon ride lasts 40 minutes to an hour, depending on wind and conditions on the day.

What's included in the price of the Marrakech balloon ride?

The price includes hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, the balloon ride itself, a safety briefing before and during the flight, breakfast after landing, and a flight certificate.

Can I do the balloon ride if I have a medical condition or injury?

The ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. If you have concerns about your health or fitness, check with the operator before booking.