Last updated: · by the Ballooning Experience team
1. Your money stays with the people who fly you
International booking platforms take a commission on every booking. That money leaves Morocco. When you book directly with a local company, every euro goes to the pilots, the ground crew, the drivers, the cooks who prepare your breakfast, and the farmers and villages on whose fields we land. You are not only buying a ride: you are supporting Moroccan families and a local trade.
2. You talk to the people who know
A platform's customer service has never stood on our launch field at 5 o'clock in the morning. We have. Ask us where your riad pickup point is, whether your 7-year-old can fly, how to plan a secret proposal, or what to do about a fear of heights, and you get an answer from the team that will be with you on the day.
3. Easier when the weather changes
Balloons only fly in calm weather, so some mornings are cancelled. When you book directly, we move you to another morning in one WhatsApp message, or refund you in full. No ticket number, no waiting for a third party to approve a change.
4. A morning made for you
Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, children, dietary needs, a grandparent who needs a seat: a local team can prepare all of it because we know about it before you arrive. Through a platform, these details are often lost on the way.
5. Someone responsible, with a name
A local company puts its own name, its pilots and its reputation on every flight. When something needs attention, you know exactly who is responsible, and so do we. That is why we say "not today" when the wind is wrong, and why we answer for every detail of your morning.
6. Good for Morocco's image and its tourism
Every guest who goes home happy tells friends that Morocco is warm, well organised and safe. When travellers book with honest local companies, they reward good work, help small businesses grow and raise the standard of tourism in the whole country.
7. A memory, not a tourist trap
A sunrise over the Atlas, shared with your family or the person you love, is a memory for life and often the best gift of a whole trip. It deserves to be organised with care by people who love their work, not sold as one more product in a long list.
12 more reasons to support local hot air balloon operators in Marrakech
Better answers and fair prices matter. But the real reasons are passion, responsibility and the future of ballooning in Marrakech.
We are here for the future, not just for today
Not every balloon company in Marrakech is local, and not every one plans to stay. Hot air ballooning is not a temporary business opportunity for us. This is our home, our profession and our future. We want this beautiful activity to continue safely for our children and future generations.
We built our dreams from almost nothing
Behind each of our balloons are more than 10 years of hard work, challenges, sacrifices and determination, and more than 2,000 hours in the air. What once seemed impossible became reality because we believed in our dream and never gave up.
We protect the activity that gives us a living
One irresponsible decision can damage the reputation of an entire industry. Respecting regulations, keeping safety standards and protecting the future of ballooning are responsibilities we take seriously.
We are not here to make quick money and disappear
We live here, work here and want to keep welcoming guests for decades. Our reputation matters because our future depends on the trust we build today.
Your happiness is our greatest reward
Every business needs to survive. But the most beautiful reward is hearing a guest say, "This was the highlight of our trip to Morocco," or even, "This was one of the best experiences of my life."
We want every guest to leave with a positive image of Morocco
For many travellers, a balloon ride is their first adventure in Marrakech. We want them to feel our hospitality, professionalism, kindness and genuine care, and take those memories home.
We believe in healthy, responsible competition
Competition should push companies to improve their service, safety and guest experience. It should never become a race to the lowest price at the expense of safety, regulations or the future of the activity.
We put safety before profit
Sometimes the most professional decision is not to fly. Weather can change, and no booking, schedule or financial reward is more important than the safety of our guests and crew.
We create memories, not just sell tickets
A balloon flight lasts less than an hour, but the memory can stay with someone for a lifetime. That's why every smile, every sunrise and every moment matters to us.
We are proud ambassadors of our country
Every flight is a chance to show the world the beauty of Morocco and the warmth of its people. When guests go home and recommend Marrakech to their friends and families, we feel proud to have contributed.
Supporting local operators supports real families
Behind each of our balloons are pilots, ground crews, drivers and mechanics, breakfasts prepared by local families, and products from local cooperatives. Choosing a responsible local company keeps opportunities within the community.
We want the next generation to inherit something better
Our ambition is not simply to fly more balloons or welcome more guests. It is to leave behind a stronger, safer, more respected ballooning industry than the one we found.
What your price really pays for
- Your pilot and a ground crew who are on the field before you arrive
- The gas, the balloon, the basket and their regular maintenance
- Insurance for every flight
- The vehicles and drivers for your pickup, the chase and the drive back
- Tea at the launch field and a full Moroccan breakfast after landing
- Your flight certificate
- And above all: local jobs, responsible flying and a morning you will never forget
Our prices, per person: classic shared flight €165, private balloon €330, VIP flight with breakfast on board €620. Full price guide.
How to book directly with us
- Send us your date and the number of guests on WhatsApp or with our booking form.
- We confirm availability, the price and your pickup time.
- We collect you from your hotel or riad before sunrise, and you fly with our own pilots: Youssef, Said, Mohamed, Guille, Dani, Mustafa.
Read what guests say about us on Google, then book with us directly.
Questions
Why should I book my Marrakech balloon ride with a local company?
Because you talk directly to the pilots and crew who fly you, get real answers about pickup, children and special requests, change your date easily if the weather moves the flight, and your whole payment stays in Morocco with the people who make your morning, instead of paying a commission to an international platform. Why book local.
Should I book my Marrakech balloon flight directly with the operator or through a booking platform?
We advise booking directly with a local operator. You talk to the pilots and crew who will fly you, get real answers about pickup, children and special requests, change your date easily if the weather moves the flight, and no commission goes to an international platform: your whole payment stays with the local team and the local economy. Why book with a local company.
Why are some hot air balloon rides in Marrakech cheaper?
A balloon flight has real costs: pilots, ground crew, gas, vehicles, insurance and maintenance. Much cheaper offers usually leave something out, such as hotel transfers, breakfast, a full briefing, the sunrise flight itself or time in the air. Compare balloon rides around the world: in most balloon destinations, such as Europe, North America or Cappadocia in Turkey, a sunrise flight with a recognised operator usually costs more than €150 per person, depending on the cost of living, the season and what is included. So a balloon ride for a few dozen euros should make you ask what has been left out. Why our price is different.