Sunrise over Marrakech: Our Unforgettable Hot-Air Balloon Experience

One of the most memorable times from our journey through Morocco was the sunrise hot air balloon ride we went on while in Marrakech.

Soaring over 3000 feet into the air and looking over the rocky, rugged desert and seeing the sun rise over the mighty Atlas Mountains was an unforgettable moment, and something we had been dreaming of doing for a long time!

Today we’ll be taking an in-depth look at how we discovered this experience, where we booked our tickets and how it all went, from the car pick-up at our riad, to the flight itself and our overall thoughts.

Let’s get started!

Booking our tickets

While planning our trip to Marrakech, we stumbled upon this unique experience on GetYourGuide.com.

It was our first time using this website after having it recommended to us, and we found the booking process to be very easy and straightforward. We also found the price for the activity to be pretty reasonable, considering the package also included a convenient pick-up and drop-off at our stay, as well as breakfast and snacks.

We bought our tickets without thinking about it twice!

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The pick-up and drive to the airfield

Since sunrise time varies greatly throughout the year, you should know that the starting time for this experience can also be different depending on when you visit Marrakech.

In our case, in the beginning of February, that was at six-forty in the morning.

That’s because the airfield is located outside of the city, and the hot air balloon flight needs to be timed perfectly to coincide with sunrise. Luckily, the experience also includes a handy pick-up from your stay.

Something you should keep in mind, however, is that your pick-up point might not be right by your accommodation if you’re staying within the medina, as most roads in the old town are too narrow for cars to pass. This was also the case for us, but we received a text message 24 hours in advance to confirm the exact pick-up location and time.

Nighttime in the desert is very cold throughout the year, that’s why wearing a warm jacket or layering up is absolutely essential. Closed shoes are also a good idea, so that you keep sharp rocks and creepy crawlies away from your toes. Finally, we recommend you wear some non-restrictive clothing that won’t get in the way when climbing in and out of the balloon’s basket.

We met our driver at the arranged meeting point, and he was punctual, super friendly and very welcoming. We cozied up into the warm and comfortable van, which we definitely appreciated since we were still feeling a little sleepy. After a quick stop to pick up more passengers, we were off on the dark highway that led us away from the city and deeper into the rural countryside.

Arriving at the airfield

After a half-hour drive, we reached the airfield from which we would take off on our hot air balloon flight.

This was also the meeting point for several different groups, and the place was pretty packed. After a short welcome, we were asked to sign a standard liability form that also included some basic safety instructions. Once that was out of the way, we were offered tea, coffee and pastries, and we relaxed while observing the ground crews prepping the balloons for take off in the nearby field.

Boarding and take-off

After a 20 minute wait, the organisers started leading us towards our respective balloons.

There were various balloon sizes, each capable of accommodating a certain number of passengers. We were quite lucky to only be with four other passengers (the same that shared our van), giving a lot more liberty to enjoy the ride without being cramped.

Getting into the balloon was pretty straightforward, but it did require a bit of effort. It can definitely be a bit challenging if you’re of short stature (like Ana) or wearing restrictive clothing, but the organisers were very helpful and lent a hand to anyone who was having difficulty boarding.

This is also when we met our pilot, Oktay. He was very experienced and knowledgeable, and made us feel very much at ease throughout the entire flight. After reminding us again of basic safety procedures and how to behave in case of a rough landing, we were off.

The hot air balloon flight

The hot air balloon ascended much faster than we had anticipated.

Before we knew it, we were soaring over 3000 feet, and the arid land below stretched as far as the eye could see. As sunrise approached and the sky brightened, we could also discern the distant outline of the Atlas Mountains.

Now is a good time to mention that Ana is quite afraid of heights. Despite that, she felt safe and comfortable during the entire experience. This was also due in part to how stable and smooth the flight was, despite the fact that it was slightly windy that day. We were surprised by how little we felt the movement of the basket, whether we were ascending or descending.

While we enjoyed the view and looked over at the other balloons taking off, Oktay warned us that the moment we had been waiting for was almost there, and to get our cameras ready.

Finally, the sun spectacularly broke over the mountain range. We had been lucky with the weather and there was hardly a cloud in the sky, making it a truly unforgettable scene. We hastily snapped a few photos and videos, then we basked in the moment for as long as it lasted.

We continued cruising for another half-hour before starting our descent, observing the small homes and villages below and the other hot air balloons around us. Our balloon also rotated regularly to provide everyone with multiple points of view.

In the mean time, our pilot, Oktay, told us a little about his career in Cappadocia, Turkey, and showed us how he operated the hot air balloon. It was extremely interesting to learn about the functionality of the on-board equipment, such as the various ropes and the burner, and it absolutely added to our overall enjoyment of the experience.

The landing

Finally, it was time to come back down to earth. From up top, we observed as a crew drove to our location.

Because rough landings are not uncommon, we braced as the ground got closer and closer but, to our surprise, our pilot reassured us that the landing was in fact going to be a smooth one.

It turned out he was right, and the balloon slowed down its descent before stopping and hovering  a short distance over the ground. Four guys from the crew each held one corner of the basket, and gently guided it down to the floor.

Back to the airfield and breakfast

After exiting the basket, we were met by our driver.

We took a few pictures with the group while the crew was busy packing away the balloon, and then we drove back to camp.

On arrival, we were greeted by the organisers and gifted a flight certificate with our name in Arabic, a fun souvenir to bring home and to remember the experience. We then enjoyed a buffet-style traditional breakfast with staples such as tea, coffee and eggs, as well as Moroccan classics such as pastries and pancakes. We sat down and enjoyed the food while warming up in the sun, before hopping back into the van and driving back to Marrakech.

Our thoughts on the experience

We had an incredible time!

The unforgettable sunrise, along with the view of the desert and the Atlas Mountains from the air, made for an absolutely spectacular experience, one we would recommend this activity to anyone travelling to Marrakech. Even if you’re uncomfortable with heights, we encourage you to challenge your fears and try it out for yourself.

Everyone involved was also super friendly and professional, and the flawless organisation definitely elevated the overall experience, from the pick-up, to the drive to the airfield and the flight itself.

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