Hot Air Balloon Ride near Marrakech

Home › Desert Activities › Hot Air Balloon Ride near Marrakech

Written by Hassan, host at Hotel Les Roches Merzouga — hosting Sahara travellers since 2004.

A hot air balloon ride at sunrise is one of the most magical experiences near Marrakech. You'll drift silently over desert plains, palm groves and Berber villages as the sun rises over the High Atlas Mountains — followed by a traditional breakfast on landing.

What's included

• Hotel pickup before dawn
• About 1 hour in the air over the countryside near Marrakech
• Traditional Berber breakfast after landing
• Flight certificate

Pair it with the desert

A balloon ride is a wonderful add-on before or after a Marrakech desert tour. Ask us to combine it with your Sahara trip.

How to book and pay

Booking is direct and personal — no middleman and no online reseller in between. Send your dates and group size through the enquiry form or on WhatsApp, and one of the family replies, usually within a few hours, with availability and a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your slot and you pay the balance in cash or by card when you arrive, so you never prepay in full and there are no hidden fees. We confirm your exact meeting point and time by WhatsApp the day before.

Booking direct with a local family

Hotel Les Roches Merzouga is a family business at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, hosting Sahara travellers since 2004. When you book you deal with the people who own the hotel, run the desert camp and know every guide personally — so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted to strangers, and the advice you get is honest. If a different experience, or a different time of day, would suit you better, we will tell you.

The best time to go

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) bring the most comfortable weather. Through the summer heat we run activities at dawn or in the late afternoon and at sunset, when the light is best and the sand is cool underfoot; in winter the days are warm and sunny but the nights and early mornings are genuinely cold. Tell us your travel dates and we will suggest the best slot and time of day.

Good to know before you go

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sun cream, a scarf against the sand and closed shoes; add a warm layer from November to February. Drinking water is provided and small dirham notes are handy for tips. Children and older travellers are welcome on almost everything we offer — just tell us ages, mobility needs or dietary requirements when you book and we will shape the plan around them.