There is no closed season: hot air balloon flights in Marrakech run all year at sunrise, weather permitting. Spring (February to April) brings green fields and snow on the Atlas, summer brings golden plains and very early pickups (about 5:00), and winter brings cold, clear dawns and later pickups (about 7:00).
The hot air balloon Marrakech season never really closes: our balloons go up at sunrise on every morning the weather allows, in January as much as in July. What changes from month to month is the time your alarm rings, how many layers you need and what the land below looks like.
So the better question is not 'when can I fly?' but 'which version of the flight do I want?'. A frosty, crystal-clear winter dawn with white peaks. A soft spring morning over young wheat. A warm summer sunrise over harvested fields the colour of bread crust. This page walks you through the year so you can match the flight to your trip.
Month by month: sunrise, pickup and what you see
Times below are approximate and for Marrakech local time. Sunrise moves by a few minutes every week, and Morocco usually sets its clocks back one hour during Ramadan, so pickups shift then too. We send your exact pickup time the evening before the flight.
| Month | Sunrise (about) | Pickup (about) | Dawn feel | Landscape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:30 | 7:00 | Cold, often very clear | Green shoots, snow on the Atlas |
| February | 8:15 | 6:45 | Cold, warming by breakfast | Fields turning green, snowy peaks |
| March | 7:45 | 6:15 | Cool | Bright green, almond and olive country |
| April | 7:05 | 5:35 | Cool to mild | Greenest month, last snow on high peaks |
| May | 6:35 | 5:05 | Mild | Wheat turning gold |
| June | 6:25 | 4:55 | Mild, warm soon after sunrise | Golden, harvest time |
| July | 6:35 | 5:05 | Mild at dawn, hot later | Dry golden plains, hazier air |
| August | 6:55 | 5:25 | Mild at dawn, hot later | Dry, ochre and gold |
| September | 7:15 | 5:45 | Pleasant | Dry fields, softer light |
| October | 7:35 | 6:05 | Fresh | Ploughed earth, clearer air |
| November | 8:00 | 6:30 | Chilly | Brown and first green after rain |
| December | 8:25 | 6:55 | Cold | Clear views, snow arriving on the Atlas |
Snow on the High Atlas is likeliest from about December to April, and you see it best on clear mornings.
Spring and summer: green fields, then gold
From February to April the countryside outside Marrakech is at its greenest. Wheat and barley come up between the olive groves, the dry riverbeds sometimes hold a little water and the Atlas still wears snow. Many guests choose these months for photos. Mornings are cool rather than cold.
From May to September the land turns gold and then ochre. Pickups are early, around 5:00, but you are back at your hotel by late morning, before the real heat. Dawn in the basket is pleasant, and the burner adds warmth. The air can be hazier in high summer, so the mountains are sometimes softer on the horizon.
Hot air balloon Marrakech October
October is one of the easiest months to fly. Summer heat has gone, mornings are fresh but not cold, and pickup is around 6:00, which feels civilised compared with June. The fields are mostly bare and ploughed, so the view is a patchwork of browns with villages and olive trees standing out clearly.
If you book a hot air balloon Marrakech October trip, pack a light jumper or fleece for the dawn wait and expect to peel it off by breakfast. The October half-term holidays make some mornings busier, so booking ahead is wise.
Hot air balloon Marrakech November
November mornings are chilly, and the first rains of the season can arrive, so the odd flight may be moved for weather. After rain the air is often washed clean, and that is when the distant view of the city and the mountains can be at its sharpest. A faint green starts to appear on the fields.
For a hot air balloon Marrakech November flight, plan a warm layer and a hat, and keep a spare morning later in your stay in case we need to move you. Our cancellation guide explains how that works.
Hot air balloon Marrakech in January
A hot air balloon Marrakech in January flight is the coldest of the year at dawn, and often the clearest. Pickup is around 7:00, so you get a full night's sleep. Waiting at the field before sunrise is properly cold, which is why the hot tea, coffee and msemen are so welcome while the crew inflates.
On a clear January morning the High Atlas can stand out white against a blue sky, with green shoots in the fields below. Wear a warm coat, gloves and a hat; our outfit guide has the full list.
Hot air balloon Marrakech February
February sits between winter and spring. Dawns are still cold, but by the time breakfast is served on the rugs after landing the sun has real warmth. The fields are turning green fast, and the snow on the mountains is often at its fullest.
A hot air balloon Marrakech February flight is a good choice if you want both the white peaks and the green land in the same photo. It is also a popular month for winter-sun breaks, so book a few days ahead and fly early in your stay.
Choosing your month: quick advice
Whatever the hot air balloon Marrakech season you choose, the flight itself is the same: 45 to 60 minutes in the air over the countryside, then a Moroccan breakfast and your certificate. Compare the options on our flights page, or go straight to booking your date.
- Best for snowy Atlas photos: December to April, on a clear morning
- Greenest landscape: February to April
- Latest pickup (more sleep): November to February
- Warmest dawn wait: June to September
- Least layering: September and October
- Any month: fly early in your stay so a weather day can be moved
Questions about hot air balloon marrakech season
Is there a best season for a hot air balloon in Marrakech?
There is no single best season. Spring is greenest and often has snow on the Atlas, autumn is mild and comfortable, winter gives the clearest air and later pickups, and summer gives warm dawns over golden fields. Choose the look and temperature you prefer, then book early in your stay.
Do balloons fly in Marrakech in summer?
Yes. We fly every morning of the year, weather permitting. In summer the sun rises around 6:30, so pickup is about 5:00. It is mild at dawn and you are back at your hotel by late morning, before the hottest part of the day.
Are flights cancelled more often in winter?
Winter and late autumn bring most of Marrakech's rain, and rain, low cloud or strong wind mean we do not fly. The pilot decides each morning. If we cancel, you choose a new date or a full refund, which is why a spare morning helps.
What time is pickup in each season?
Pickup is about one and a half hours before sunrise: roughly 5:00 in summer and 7:00 in winter, with spring and autumn in between. We send the exact time the evening before, because it depends on sunrise and on where you are staying.
Does Ramadan change the flight times?
The flight still happens at sunrise. Morocco usually moves its clocks back one hour during Ramadan, so the clock time of sunrise and pickup changes for those weeks. Your pickup message the evening before always gives the correct local time.
When can I see snow on the Atlas Mountains from the balloon?
Snow usually sits on the High Atlas from about December to April. You see it best on clear mornings, which are common in winter. We cannot promise it on a given day, because haze or cloud can hide the peaks.
