Dubai Hot Air Balloon Sunrise with Falcon & Michelin Breakfast
Small baskets, no queues at dawn: watch a falcon hunt while the desert wakes
You float above the Dubai Desert for an hour at sunrise, watch a falcon fly alongside the balloon, listen to a storyteller describe the land, then descend to a private oasis for a Michelin-starred breakfast at your own table. A short camel ride follows before the drive back to your hotel. Hotel pickup and all transfers are included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Hot air balloon and desert breakfast
- Pick up from Dubai in Land Rover
- Arrive for tea and safety briefing
- Fly in balloon with falcon show
- Drive to Royal Desert Retreat
- Enjoy Michelin-starred breakfast
- Take short camel ride
- Return to the city
What’s included
Round-trip hotel pickup in a Land Rover Defender, tea or coffee at the launch site, a 60-minute sunrise hot air balloon flight with in-flight falconry and storytelling, a short camel ride at the desert oasis, and a contemporary breakfast menu crafted by a Michelin-starred chef served at a private table in the Royal Desert Retreat.
Times
- Every day 04:00
Before you book
Operated by Hero Balloon Flights Dubai
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
So you're actually doing the balloon thing, the one where you float over the dunes at sunrise and there's a bird involved? Yeah, that's real. The pickup happens early from your Dubai hotel in a Land Rover Defender, and you head out to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve while the city's still quiet. There's tea or coffee at the launch site, a safety briefing from the pilot, and then you're climbing into the basket. The flight itself runs about 60 minutes, and the whole point is that it's not crowded: limited capacity means you're not packed in with thirty other people trying to get the same photo. An in-flight storyteller talks about the land and the desert's history while you're up there, and then there's the falcon. It's not a gimmick. The bird actually flies alongside the balloon, and watching it move is something you don't forget.
After you land, there's a short drive to a private Royal Desert Retreat that Hero Balloon Flights has exclusive access to. This isn't a public camp where tour groups rotate through. You sit at your own table and eat breakfast designed by a Michelin-starred chef. The menu is built around the four elements, so it's not just eggs and toast. It's thoughtful, contemporary food in the middle of the desert. You get a short camel ride around the oasis afterward, which sounds touristy until you're actually doing it and the light's hitting the sand a certain way. Then it's back to Dubai.
The whole experience takes most of your morning, and you need to be reasonably fit: the basket climb isn't steep, but it's real. Bring a light jacket and hat because the desert at sunrise is cooler than you'd think, and sunglasses because the sand reflects hard. You'll need your passport number or UAE Emirates ID when you book, which is just local regulation. If you're staying in a residence instead of a hotel, have the exact address and a Google pin ready.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want the balloon experience without the commercial tour-group feel and you're willing to wake early for sunrise: the limited capacity and exclusive desert retreat access are what make the morning feel unhurried instead of rushed.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 11 years). Children under 7 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 flight start?
Pickup from your hotel happens early morning to catch the sunrise. The 60-minute flight departs from the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve after a safety briefing.
Is the breakfast really cooked by a Michelin-starred chef?
Yes. The menu is created by a Michelin-starred chef and served at a private table at the Royal Desert Retreat, which Hero Balloon Flights has exclusive access to.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. A short camel ride around the desert oasis is part of the experience after breakfast.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothing, footwear, a light jacket, hat, and sunglasses. The desert at sunrise is cooler than expected, and the sand reflects sunlight strongly.
Who is not recommended for this experience?
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, those with poor cardiovascular health, or children aged 6 and below. Moderate physical fitness is required.
Do I need to provide ID information when booking?
Yes. UAE regulations require your passport number or Emirates ID number and nationality at the time of reservation.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Round-trip transfers from Dubai hotels in a luxurious Land Rover Defender are included.
Dubai Hot Air Balloon Sunrise with Falcon & Michelin Breakfast
5h · EN · at your hotel
from AED 1,695 per person
≈ US$ 473 in your currency
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