Those who follow me know it well by now: Morocco is a fascinating land with so much to discover. There are many activities and excursions you can enjoy to explore this country, immerse yourself in local culture and traditions, and get to know the Berber people.
One of the most popular is a hot-air balloon flight over Marrakech, perhaps the most famous city and the best loved by tourists who choose Morocco for their vacation, along with the capital Rabat, followed by Tangier, Essaouira, Chefchaouen and Fez.
If you’re also thinking of booking this kind of thrilling, breathtaking excursion, you’re in the right place. I’m an expert on this destination and I’ll give you all the tips and information you need to prepare for your ballooning flight with confidence, plus what to see after landing.
Hot-air ballooning in Morocco
A hot-air balloon ride is a very special experience to enjoy during your stay in Morocco, a way to explore its beauty from a unique perspective. But to fully enjoy this popular attraction, it’s important to know a few details about the activity before you go.
The first important thing to know is that flying in a hot-air balloon is an experience anyone can enjoy. Every type of traveler can take part. Of course, it’s not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo or have reduced mobility, but for everyone else no special preparation is needed for a balloon ride.
The flight is safe and relaxing because, carried by the wind, the balloon moves very slowly and gradually, at a speed of 15 to 25 km/h (about 9 to 15 mph). Needless to say, balloon tours are canceled on days with strong wind.
A hot-air balloon has no rudder, so the pilot can’t steer it toward a precise destination. In fact, the landing site will almost certainly be different from the takeoff site. The route follows the wind currents the balloon encounters, and the pilot’s job is to set a direction by catching the currents found at different altitudes. The maximum altitude the balloon can reach is 1,300 feet above sea level.
Balloon flights are usually scheduled early in the morning, the time of day when the weather is most stable and the winds are especially favorable. But above all, so passengers can admire the sunrise reflected on the Moroccan desert.
What you’ll witness is a unique, jaw-dropping spectacle, with the sun rising over a magnificent desert landscape surrounded by the Atlas Mountains. An image you’ll find hard to forget.
How a hot-air balloon flight works
To get to the balloon launch site on time, before dawn, you’ll have to get up very early. Partly because the drive may be longer or shorter, depending on where you’re staying.
Once there, you’ll almost certainly watch the crew or the pilot inflate the balloon. During this phase, which lasts about 30 minutes, you’ll be given the necessary safety instructions for boarding, takeoff and landing.
Now you’re ready for takeoff, which happens a few minutes before sunrise. As soon as you climb aboard, I recommend taking a spot in the corners of the basket, since that’s where you’ll get the widest panoramic view.
Now the show begins. Within a few minutes the balloon gains altitude and the whole region’s landscapes unfold beneath you, from villages to mountains, from arid land to cultivated fields. Until you catch sight of the desert, which you’ll fly over at an altitude of about 2,000 meters (around 6,500 feet). Meanwhile, the colors of the sky will change several times as the sun climbs higher. I suggest packing a pair of binoculars to fully enjoy the landscapes below.
When it’s time to land, which, like takeoff, will be very gentle, you’ll need to grab the safety handles and, as the pilot explains, bend your knees to further cushion the soft touchdown. Once the balloon has been stabilized, passengers climb out one by one. You’ll then be taken to the nearest village, where you can enjoy breakfast in a Berber tent with mint tea, fruit juice, Moroccan pancakes, traditional cookies and homemade bread.
The hot-air balloon tour in Morocco varies in length and price depending on the company and the route you choose. But the average flight lasts about an hour.
How to prepare for a hot-air balloon ride and what to wear
The right outfit for a hot-air balloon flight in Morocco is sporty or casual clothing, with sneakers, hiking shoes or other closed, flat footwear. Which is, in fact, the kind of clothing I generally recommend for a vacation in Morocco.
When you fly high over the landscape, especially at dawn in the cool morning air, you might feel cold. Dress appropriately for the weather and your comfort, and don’t forget to wear a windbreaker or sweatshirt and always bring a scarf or foulard to cover your head. Once the sun is up, though, the temperature rises, so it’s best to wear a cap with a visor and put on sunscreen.
If you’d like to eat something before the flight, even at such an unusually early hour, make sure it’s a light snack. Bring a water bottle, the essential companion on any trip, as all the best travel guides recommend, especially if you plan to spend a night in the desert.
Lisa
