The short answer
Any time of year is good for a hot air balloon in Marrakech. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) are the most comfortable, with mild mornings and clear views. Winter has the best chance of snow on the High Atlas, but it is cold before sunrise. Summer mornings are pleasant, but pickups are very early.
Season by season
Winter: December to February
Cold, often very clear mornings and snow on the Atlas peaks. Dress warmly. Windy days happen more often in winter, so book early in your stay in case we need to move your flight.
Spring: March to May
The countryside turns green, there can still be snow on the mountains, and mornings are fresh but comfortable. A very popular time, so book a few days ahead.
Summer: June to September
Marrakech is hot, but the hour around sunrise is the coolest of the day, so flying is pleasant. Pickups are the earliest of the year. The air can be hazier, so the mountains are not always visible.
Autumn: October and November
Mild mornings, soft light and calmer weather. One of the nicest times to fly.
Hot air balloon Marrakech month by month
Choose your month for the weather, sunrise and pickup times, what you see, what to wear and the most asked questions:
Sunrise and pickup times in Marrakech by month
The flight is built around sunrise, so your pickup time changes through the year. These times are for the middle of each month, in Morocco time.
| Month | Sunrise | Hotel pickup |
|---|---|---|
| January | 08:30 | 06:30 to 07:00 |
| February | 08:15 | 06:15 to 06:45 |
| March | 07:45 | 05:45 to 06:15 |
| April | 07:05 | 05:05 to 05:35 |
| May | 06:35 | 04:35 to 05:05 |
| June | 06:25 | 04:25 to 04:55 |
| July | 06:35 | 04:35 to 05:05 |
| August | 06:55 | 04:55 to 05:25 |
| September | 07:15 | 05:15 to 05:45 |
| October | 07:35 | 05:35 to 06:05 |
| November | 08:00 | 06:00 to 06:30 |
| December | 08:25 | 06:25 to 06:55 |
Approximate times for Marrakech. During Ramadan Morocco moves its clocks back one hour, so times are one hour earlier on the clock. We always send your exact pickup time the evening before.
Which day of your trip?
Book your balloon ride for the first or second morning of your stay in Marrakech. If the weather stops us, there is still time to fly another day.
Can you see the Atlas Mountains from a Marrakech hot air balloon?
On clear mornings, yes. The High Atlas is on the horizon to the south, often with snow on the peaks from winter into spring.
Why do balloons fly so early in the morning?
The air is calmest around sunrise. Later the sun warms the ground and the wind becomes less predictable, so balloons fly at dawn and land before mid-morning.
What time do Marrakech hot air balloon tours start?
Hotel pickup is 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before sunrise: roughly 4:30 to 5:00 in summer and 6:30 to 7:00 in winter. This leaves time for a clear briefing, all your questions and tea or coffee before the flight, and for the pilot to move the take-off place if the wind requires it. We send you the exact time the evening before. Pickup times for every month.