A hot air balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains in Marrakech, that sounds like a dream right? But was it really a dream? Or can you expect other things? In this article, I will share my real honest experience.
What to expect in this article:
- About my trip to Morocco
- About Marrakech
- The pick-up
- Getting there: a little chaos
- The balloon basket
- The hot air balloon ride itself
- Breakfast after the hot air balloon ride
- How long does the hot air balloon ride take?
- What to wear during the hot air balloon ride?
- Where to stay in Marrakech?
- Is a hot air balloon ride near Marrakech worth it?
About my trip to Morocco
My friend and I visited Marrakech in March. Funny enough, Marrakech was not even the original plan. We actually wanted to go to Oman, but sadly had to cancel that trip due to the war. So, very last minute, we decided: “Okay, let’s go to Marrakech instead.” We were doubting between Georgia & Marrakech, but had been talking about Marrakech for much longer.
Not a bad plan B at all. We stayed for around 5 days and one of the activities we booked was a sunrise hot air balloon ride near Marrakech through GetYourGuide, including breakfast. It was really nice, but also a little different from what we expected.
In this article, I will share my honest experience.
About Marrakech
Marrakech, a city in the south of Morocco, is one of those cities that feels colourful, busy, warm and chaotic all at the same time.
What is Marrakech know for? Well, you have the beautiful riads, the busy souks, the smell of spices, the orange trees, the rooftop restaurants and of course the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square. It is a city where you can easily get lost, both literally and emotionally.
One moment you are drinking mint tea on a peaceful rooftop, and five minutes later you are trying to survive the scooters in the medina. At least, that is what most tourists say. I just came from India, and let me tell you, the traffic here is nothing compared to India 😉
It is a great destination if you want sunshine, culture, food, shopping and a little adventure. And if you want to do something extra special outside the city, a hot air balloon ride is a beautiful option.
Okay enough about the city, let’s talk about the hot air balloon ride!
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The pick-up
When we booked the GetYourGuide tour, we thought we had booked a real sunrise ride. You know, waking up super early, driving into the dark Moroccan countryside and floating into the sky while the sun slowly comes up. Very magical. Very Pinterest.
But because of the weather, our pick-up was later. We were picked up around 7:00 in the morning.
So it was still a morning ride, but not really the dramatic sunrise moment we had imagined.
So the first good thing to know: hot air balloon rides depend a lot on the weather. Wind, rain and safety conditions can change the schedule. So yes, book the sunrise ride, but keep your expectations flexible!!
Don't forget to book an activity in Marrakech
Getting there: a little chaos
Because we visited in March, there was a lot of rain the days we were there. I don’t mind, as it cools down. But there was also a lot of heavy thunder. Anyway, rain plus countryside roads near Marrakech means one thing: mud. A lot of mud.
Our van was sliding around, and at one point, it even got stuck. So we had to help a little. Was this thrill part of the balloon experience I had imagined? No. Was it a funny story afterwards? Absolutely.
So if you go in March or after rainy weather, please do not wear your fanciest white shoes. And be aware that the travel to the hot air balloon spot might take longer than expected.
The balloon basket
One thing I did not expect was how many people were in the basket.
In my head, I imagined something peaceful and spacious. Maybe a few people, lots of room to move around and plenty of space for photos.
Reality check: there were a lot of people in the basket.
It still felt safe and exciting, but it was not private or super spacious. You stand quite close to other people, and you may not always have the perfect photo spot. So if you want nice photos, try to stand near the edge if possible.
And when you go up in the sky, everyone has to squat and my friend had to be on my lap (due to the space) in order to go up. That is also not something I imagined beforehand 😉
The ride itself
Once the balloon went up, it really was amazing.
There is something special about slowly floating above the Moroccan Atlas Mountains. Everything becomes quiet. Marrakech feels far away. The views are wide, soft and peaceful. The mountains are the show-stealer.
The ride itself does not feel scary or fast. It is calm and gentle. If you are scared of heights, this might still be okay because it does not feel like a rollercoaster. It feels more like floating.
I might have written a lot in this article, but the feeling you get while floating in the sky and seeing this beauty, no one can take away anymore!
Breakfast after the hot air balloon ride
Our tour included breakfast, which sounded very nice when we booked it. But to be honest, the breakfast was basic and not really enough for the amount of people. Before we went up the sky, we did get tea /coffee and some cake, which was nice. Anyway, bring a snack with you.
Especially because the whole experience takes several hours. We were done around 12:00, so if you only had a small breakfast, you might be hungry by the end. My friend and I were actually starving.
So our tour included a breakfast, but you can also take the GetYourGuide experience wihtout breakfast.
How long does the ride take?
For us, the full experience took the whole morning. We were picked up around 7:00 and finished around 12:00.
This includes the drive, waiting, preparing the balloon (having cofffee and cake), the ride, landing, breakfast and going back.
So do not plan anything important immediately after. Keep your morning free and give yourself enough time.
What to wear during the hot air balloon ride
Wear something comfortable and practical. You may have to stand for a while, climb into the basket and walk on uneven ground. If it has rained, the area can be muddy.
I thought it might be cold going up. But because of the fire in the basket, it was actually nice and warm. So don’t worry about that!
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Where to stay in Marrakech
One more question for your stay in Marrakech; where do you have to stay?
In this article, I wrote about my experience at Riad La Gazelle du Sud. This is a gorgeous Riad in the center of Marrakech with very kind staff.
Anyway, if you don’t want to stay here, I would recommend staying in the Medina so you can walk anywhere and really get to understand the culture of the Medina.
Is a hot air balloon ride near Marrakech worth it?
So to end the article on a good note: Yes, I think it is worth it.
But I would say it is worth it if you go with realistic expectations.
Do not expect a private luxury experience (at least if you book with GetYourGuide). Do not expect everything to go exactly as planned. Do not expect a huge breakfast. And if you go in March, be prepared for possible mud and weather changes.
But the actual balloon ride? Beautiful!! It is peaceful, unique and a very special way to see the Marrakech Atlas Mountains. So go ahead and book that experience. You won’t regret it <3
Did you like reading this article? Have you been to Marrakech? I would love to know, so make sure to message me on my social media or leave a comment below.
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