The biggest balloon mistakes in Marrakech are booking on your last morning (no spare day if the weather cancels), buying from street touts, and a late, heavy night before a pickup around 5:00 to 7:00. On the day, avoid flip-flops, loose scarves near the burner, leaning over the basket edge and drones.
Knowing what not to do in Marrakech can save a holiday morning, and nowhere more than around a sunrise balloon flight. The flight itself is calm and well organised, but it starts before dawn, depends on the weather and happens in a basket with a very hot burner above your head.
Our crew sees the same handful of avoidable mistakes again and again. None of them is dramatic. Most cost you sleep, comfort or a better photo, and one or two can cost you the flight itself. Here they are, grouped by when they tend to happen, with the fix for each.
Booking mistakes (1 to 3)
With us, pickup, tea at the field, breakfast after landing, insurance and a flight certificate are all included, and you book now and pay later. Our guide to choosing a balloon company lists the questions worth asking any operator.
- 1. Booking your last morning in Marrakech. If the pilot cancels for wind or rain, there is no day left to move to. Fly on your first or second morning.
- 2. Buying from a street tout in the medina. You rarely know who operates the flight, what is included or who to call if plans change.
- 3. Not checking what the price includes. Ask about hotel pickup, breakfast, insurance and the certificate before you pay anything.
The night before (4 to 6)
- 4. A late night in the bars or on a rooftop. Pickup is about an hour and a half before sunrise, roughly 5:00 in summer and 7:00 in winter.
- 5. A heavy dinner and lots of alcohol. A light meal and plenty of water make the early start much easier.
- 6. Missing the pickup message. We send the exact time the evening before by WhatsApp or email. Keep your phone on and set two alarms.
Tell your riad about the early start the day before, so someone can let you out and show you the way to the car.
On the morning (7 to 9)
A cap, a warm top and a light jacket cover most of the year. Our outfit guide goes season by season, and the season guide shows how pickup times move through the year.
- 7. Wearing flip-flops or heels. You walk across rough fields, and landings can be bumpy. Closed flat shoes, every time.
- 8. Long loose scarves, wide floppy hats or flowing sleeves. Keep anything that can flap well tied, as the burner is above you.
- 9. Dressing only for the afternoon. Dawn can be cold, especially from December to February. Wear layers you can take off.
In the basket (10 to 12)
Also listen when the pilot speaks. Your pilot explains the flight in person before take-off and keeps talking you through it in the air. Questions are welcome. The safety guide explains the rest.
- 10. Ignoring the landing position. The pilot shows it before take-off. When asked, take it exactly as shown, knees soft and hands on the handles.
- 11. Leaning out or holding a selfie stick over the edge. Keep phones on a wrist strap and inside the basket.
- 12. Bringing a drone. Never fly one near balloons. Morocco also has strict rules on drones, and they can be held at customs, so check before you travel.
Hot air balloon Marrakech tips that make the morning easy
These are the small habits that make a real difference. None takes more than a minute, and together they turn a very early start into an easy one. Think of them as the positive side of the list above: what to do, rather than what to avoid.
- Charge your phone and empty its memory the night before
- Carry a small bag you can hold on your lap, not a big rucksack
- Go to the toilet at the field before boarding
- Tell us about health, pregnancy or mobility before booking
- Eat something light at the field: the msemen is there for a reason
- Plan a slow afternoon or a nap after you return late morning
General Marrakech tips linked to your flight
If your riad is deep in the medina, cars cannot reach the door. We meet you at the nearest point a car can reach, so check with your riad where that is and how long the walk takes in the dark. Your host can usually walk you there.
High on the list of what not to do in Marrakech: filling the rest of the day too tightly. After a 4 to 5 hour morning you will be back at your hotel late morning and probably tired. A hammam, a garden or a slow lunch suits the afternoon better than a long day trip. And if anyone in the street offers you a 'cheaper balloon', smile, say no thanks, and book with a named operator.
Questions about what not to do in marrakech
What should I avoid the night before a balloon flight in Marrakech?
Avoid a late night, heavy food and a lot of alcohol, because pickup can be as early as 5:00 in summer. Keep your phone on for our pickup message, lay out warm layers and closed shoes, and ask your riad how you will get out of the door before dawn.
Is it a mistake to book the balloon on my last day?
Yes, it is the most common one. Flights depend on the weather, and the pilot may cancel on the morning for wind, rain or low cloud. If you fly early in your stay, we can move you to another morning instead of only offering a refund.
Can I bring a drone on a balloon flight?
No. Drones must never be flown near balloons, at the launch field or during the flight. Morocco also controls drones strictly, and they can be held at customs on arrival, so check the rules before you pack one for your trip.
Should I buy a balloon ride from someone in the medina?
We advise against it. Street sellers often cannot tell you which company flies, what is included or how cancellations work. Book with a named operator, online or by WhatsApp, and make sure you get the details in writing.
Can I wear a dress or skirt for the flight?
You can, as long as you wear closed flat shoes and something warm on top. Choose a dress that is not very long or loose, and remember you will climb into a basket and may land with a bump. Leggings underneath help.
What happens if I miss the pickup time?
The balloons must take off around sunrise, so the driver cannot wait long. If you are running late, message us on WhatsApp straight away. Being ready a few minutes early, at the agreed meeting point, is the easiest way to avoid the problem.
