You booked your flight — now what? Between the 5 am alarm, the cold desert dawn and the heat that follows, a Marrakech balloon morning needs a bit of preparation. Here is exactly what to wear, what to bring and how the morning unfolds.
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What to wear, season by season
| Season | Dawn temperature (approx.) | What to wear |
|---|---|---|
| December – February | around 2–8 °C | Warm layers, fleece or down jacket, hat, gloves |
| March – May | around 8–15 °C | Sweater + windbreaker, long trousers |
| June – August | around 18–24 °C | T-shirt + light sweater, sun hat for the return |
| September – November | around 12–20 °C | Long sleeves + light jacket |
- Shoes: trainers or walking shoes. No heels, no flip-flops: you land in fields, sometimes with stones and thistles.
- Trousers rather than skirts: you climb over the edge of the basket using footholds.
- A cap or hat: the burner gives off strong heat above your head.
- Colours: light, neutral colours look great in photos with the sunrise; synthetic fabrics are fine, the flame is high above you.
What to bring (and what to leave)
- ✅ Phone or camera with a wrist strap — and a charged battery
- ✅ Sunglasses, sunscreen for the return
- ✅ 50–100 MAD per person for tips, plus your booking voucher on your phone
- ✅ A small bottle of water
- ❌ Large backpacks, suitcases, tripods, selfie sticks (often not allowed in the basket)
- ❌ Drones: you can’t fly your own drone near the balloons
Read also:Sunrise balloon flight & Berber breakfast
How the morning goes, minute by minute
- The day before: the operator confirms your pickup time and place by message. Check your riad door arrangement for an early exit.
- T-0 (around 5 am): pickup at your hotel or at a nearby meeting point in the medina.
- T+45 min: arrival at the launch site, tea and a snack while the crew inflates the balloons.
- T+1 h: safety briefing, then you climb into your compartment.
- T+1 h 15: take-off. 40–60 minutes of flight, the pilot explains the landscape.
- T+2 h 15: landing in a field; the chase crew packs the balloon (you can help or watch).
- T+2 h 30: Berber breakfast, certificate, optional camel ride.
- T+4 to 5 h: drop-off back at your hotel, mid to late morning.
Where do you take off?
There is no single « hot air balloon Marrakech location »: launch sites are in the countryside around the city, mostly on the Haouz plain to the north and east, sometimes towards Agafay. The pilot chooses the site that morning according to the wind, which is why you are collected from your hotel rather than given an address.
How high do hot air balloons go in Marrakech?
It varies: pilots sometimes skim just above the palm trees to show villages up close, then climb to several hundred metres — occasionally close to 1,000 m — for the panorama of the Atlas. The air is calm, so you hardly feel the altitude: there is no wind in the basket since you move with it.
Is it worth it?
If you like landscapes and photography, almost always yes. If you mainly want to see the medina from above, adjust your expectations: the flight shows the countryside and the Atlas, while the city is seen in the distance. Our complete guide weighs up the pros and cons.
Packing quiz
Are you dressed for the basket?
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Which shoes should you wear?
You climb into the basket and land in a field: closed flat shoes are essential.
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Why wear a cap?
A cap protects your head from the heat of the burner.
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What is the temperature at dawn in January?
Desert dawns are cold in winter: wear warm layers.
Answer every question to see your score.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear for a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech?
Layers, long trousers and closed flat shoes. Add a warm jacket, hat and gloves in winter, and a cap all year because of the burner heat.
Is it cold in the balloon?
It is not colder than on the ground — you move with the wind — but dawn itself can be cold, especially from November to March.
Can I bring my bag?
A small bag is fine. Large backpacks, tripods and selfie sticks are often not allowed in the basket.
Where does the hot air balloon take off in Marrakech?
In the countryside outside the city, chosen each morning according to the wind. You are picked up from your hotel.
Are there toilets at the launch site?
Facilities are basic or absent at some sites; use the bathroom before leaving your hotel.
Affiliate disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links to GetYourGuide. If you book through them we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and were checked at the time of writing — the live price on the booking page always prevails.