Balloon + Atlas day trip
High Atlas valleys follow a sunrise balloon flight, so you spend one long day of about 11 hours on both the air and the mountain roads. You'll fly for around an hour over the countryside outside Marrakech, then continue into scenic valley routes, Berber villages and viewpoints. Lunch is included on the mountain portion, and we return you to the city in the evening.
Today, hour by hour
That's the balloon morning. The rest of the day follows after breakfast.
COLLECTION 5:30 to 6:00 · OTHER TIMES FROM THE SUN · CONFIRMED AT BOOKINGHow the morning runs
Your driver collects you from your Marrakech hotel or riad between 4:30am and 5:30am for the sunrise flight. Welcome drinks and a safety briefing with the pilot come at the launch site before you board.
This is a long combined day of about 11 hours, so the early start is part of fitting both the flight and the Atlas circuit into one outing.
You spend around an hour in the basket over the countryside outside Marrakech. After landing you return to base for an open buffet breakfast and a flight certificate.
If wind or visibility stops the balloon, the team will contact you as early as they can. The mountain portion can often still go ahead as planned.
After breakfast we drive toward the High Atlas for scenic sightseeing rather than a trek. Stops include Berber villages and viewpoints on uneven ground, with your guide keeping the pace easy.
Comfortable footwear helps at the stops. The mountain roads sit within around an hour or two of the city depending on the route that day.
Lunch is included during the mountain portion. After more time at villages or viewpoints we drive you back to Marrakech for an evening drop-off near your hotel or riad.
Warm layers help for the pre-dawn pickup, with lighter clothing for the rest of the day in the mountains. Share ages when you enquire if you are travelling with children.
What the flight includes
- Round-trip hotel or riad transfer from Marrakech
- Hot air balloon flight, approximately one hour
- Post-flight champagne toast and breakfast
- Guided day trip to the Atlas Mountains
- Tips for pilots, guides, and drivers
- Personal expenses and extra drinks
- Optional activities not listed
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- Lunch during the mountain portion of the day
Before you book the flight
WHAT TO BRING
Camera / Phone: Use a strap to keep it safe during flights and rides.
Small Backpack: Keep your hands free.
Shoes: Closed-toe sneakers or boots
Layers: Warm jacket for cold mornings or desert nights; light clothes underneath for sunny afternoons.
Pants: Long pants or jeans to prevent saddle/seat rubbing.
Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen.
Scarf / Bandana: To cover your mouth and nose from trail dust.
GETTING THERE
You are collected very early from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, usually around 5:30 to 6am, for the transfer to the balloon launch site ahead of sunrise. Many riads sit on pedestrian lanes, so the driver may park nearby and meet you on foot for the early pickup.
After the Atlas Mountains portion of the day, you are dropped back at the nearest accessible point to your accommodation in the evening. Share your hotel or riad name and a mobile number when you enquire so pickup logistics stay simple for this long day.
Cancellation
- Full refund if cancelled more than 72 hours before departure.
- 50% refund between 48 and 72 hours before departure.
- No refund within 48 hours of departure or for no-shows.
- Hot air balloon and some third-party services may be non-refundable once confirmed.
Other flights
Asked before every flight
Straight answers, written by the team who fly the balloons. Anything else, they reply in person on WhatsApp.
ASK ON WHATSAPP MORE QUESTIONSWhere do we meet?
You are collected very early from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, usually around 5:30 to 6am, for the transfer to the balloon launch site.
Share your accommodation details when you enquire so pickup can be confirmed for your date.
How long is the full day?
The combined balloon flight and Atlas Mountains day trip runs for approximately 11 hours door to door, from the early morning pickup to your return to Marrakech in the evening.
Exact timings can vary slightly with the season and route taken into the mountains.
Do I need previous ballooning experience?
No, the flight is led by certified pilots and crew who provide a full safety briefing before takeoff, so no prior experience is needed.
Balloon flights are weather dependent, so timings can shift slightly if conditions require it.
How much walking is involved in the mountain portion?
The Atlas Mountains section is scenic sightseeing rather than a trek, with stops at viewpoints and villages that involve light walking on uneven ground.
Comfortable footwear is recommended, though no hiking fitness is required.
What meals are included?
A champagne toast and breakfast follow the balloon landing, then lunch is included during the Atlas Mountains portion of the day.
Additional snacks or drinks beyond those meals are not included, so you may want a little extra for this long 11-hour outing.
Is this suitable for children?
Families are welcome, though the pre-dawn pickup, around an hour standing in the basket, and the full 11-hour day should be considered for very young children.
Share ages when you enquire so the team can advise on suitability for your group and the mountain stops.