Wahiba Sands: Hot Air Balloon Ride & Desert Views with Snacks

Summary

Sharqiya Sands sunrise balloon ride desert colors and quiet

You’ll float quietly above Wahiba Sands at sunrise, watching the desert shift from darkness to color as your pilot shares stories and points out hidden details below. Expect coffee before liftoff, snacks after landing, and a small souvenir to remember it by — plus pickup from your camp so you don’t have to worry about getting there half-awake.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the silence to be so heavy up there — it’s like the world just paused for us over Wahiba Sands. The burner roared now and then, but mostly it was just wind brushing past my ears and that weird feeling of floating. Our pilot, Murat (from Turkey, I think), pointed out the different sand colors as the sun crept up — golds, reds, even this soft pink I’d never noticed before. He joked about his “desert office” and handed out bottled water while we all tried to take photos without dropping our phones.

The early start was rough, not gonna lie. But being picked up in an air-conditioned van made it easier to wake up. There was coffee waiting at the launch site — strong enough to make me forget I hadn’t slept much. The other travelers were mostly quiet at first, but once we were in the basket together everyone loosened up. One Omani guy taught us how to say “Sharqiya” properly (I definitely butchered it). The flight lasted almost an hour but felt shorter somehow; time does that when you’re watching shadows stretch across endless sand.

After landing, we got these little medals as souvenirs — kind of cheesy but honestly, I keep mine on my backpack now. There were snacks too, nothing fancy but good after floating around for so long. It’s strange how peaceful everything felt once we touched down again; even now I still think about that view when I see sand anywhere.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot Air Balloon Flight over Sharqiya Sands

• Arrive at Wahiba Sands launch site
• Board hot air balloon
• Enjoy 50-minute balloon flight
• View desert landscape and sand colors
• Listen to peaceful desert silence
• Receive commemorative medal souvenir

Top questions

How long is the hot air balloon flight over Wahiba Sands?

The flight time is approximately 50 minutes.

Is pickup included for the Wahiba Sands hot air balloon tour?

Yes, pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the balloon ride?

Bottled water, snacks, coffee and tea are provided.

How many people fit in one hot air balloon basket?

The maximum capacity is 16 passengers per flight.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers or those with health issues?

No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

Do you get a souvenir after the flight?

Yes, a commemorative medal is given after landing.

What’s included

Your morning includes pickup from your accommodation in an air-conditioned vehicle, strong coffee or tea before takeoff, bottled water during the hot air balloon ride over Sharqiya Sands, light snacks after landing, and a small commemorative medal to take home with you.