Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon Ride from Marrakech: Is it Worth It?

Thinking about treating yourself to something really special on your trip to Marrakech? A hot air balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains, too it’s almost often packaged with a Berber breakfast and a camel ride in the desert, sounds pretty darn magical, right? That is that before you splash out the cash, you will want to see if it lives up to the hype. I will give you a thorough review to help you decide whether this is a “must-do” or if your time and money might be, you know, better spent exploring the souks. You get me?

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What’s Included in This Adventure Package, Really?

Packages may show, just a little different, but a very typical hot air balloon ride from Marrakech tends to go like this: An super early morning pickup from your hotel or riad gets you started – we are talking before sunrise, so, really get ready to rise and shine! A drive of around 45-90 minutes then gets you to the launch site, maybe that is where the excitement really starts. A pre-flight briefing tends to take place, it might cover safety stuff and what to actually expect during the flight. This will very much vary!

Next up? The hot air balloon flight. In fact expect to be in the air for around an hour, taking in the sunrise and those awesome mountain views. Getting close enough to have the mountain views almost completely imprinted on the back of your eyelids, you understand? Then, there is the Berber breakfast. Is that normally served in a traditional tent, often giving you a taste of local flavors. Rounding it all out you’ve got that camel ride. Usually it is pretty short one, it tends to just be enough to say you have actually done it. The packages very much finish with a drive back to Marrakech, you see? Often you might be dropped off back at your accommodation or maybe in a central location in the city.

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The Balloon Flight: A Bird’s-Eye View, Sort Of

This is the bit we all are very interested in, so? Imagine drifting gently above the Atlas Mountains as the sun rises. A stunning sight might welcome you with the landscape is, you know, bathed in warm, golden light. Is that something that will stay with you for life? Now the view can really be breathtaking. You are very likely to see scattered villages, the occasional winding river, as well as valleys below you. Depending on the day, maybe that is with decent visibility, you might, I guess even see as far as the Sahara Desert!

The balloon ride normally is pretty peaceful, giving you the kind of silence, yet also a serenity, you probably didn’t know you needed. Obviously it is almost a given that the pilots really tend to be very experienced. That makes them pretty darn good at giving you interesting stuff as well as insight about the area, answering the kinds of questions you will want answered as you are gliding gently. So safety, of course, usually is a priority, and operators generally really adhere to strict regulations and standards.

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Berber Breakfast: A Taste of Morocco, Very Authentic

After the balloon flight, very many packages feature a Berber breakfast, that is normally served in a traditional tent, so in some respects in a picturesque setting. This very often is much more than just a meal. This gives you, just a little look into Berber culture and hospitality. What could be better?

On offer, maybe that is in terms of food, is a tasty range of local specialties. You are really likely to find things like Moroccan pancakes (beghrir), honey, olive oil, and mint tea. Some operators really add even tagines and fresh bread to the feast. Most likely the atmosphere ends up being friendly, often with music and a chance to maybe chat with fellow travelers and locals. Obviously it is, really an excellent chance to relax, savor the moment, and, like you know appreciate the rich flavors of Moroccan food.

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Desert Camel Experience: A Ride to Remember?, Sort Of

Okay, so following breakfast, some tours might actually feature a desert camel experience, that, let’s be honest, is a slightly misleading term because often it may, arguably, not be a “desert” at all. Generally it involves a short camel ride, so more or less enough to take photos and have a quick wander through the landscape. That might be near the breakfast site.

Even though it is, you know, not exactly trekking across the Sahara, the camel ride is a pretty unique way to connect with Moroccan tradition. What could be better than feeling the gentle sway of the camel? Also you might absorb in those scenic views. Often the guides may just tell you facts regarding the camels, often what it has meant as it becomes historically important, you get me? A fun, and, really memorable way, is that for experiencing part of Morocco, you can not always easily get at? Very! Though be totally mindful of the animal treatment by the business you pick, alright?

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Is the Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon Ride Really Worth It?

Is this really a bucket-list experience that is worth the hype, so? You bet! However let’s have a look at a few factors which you might consider before going ahead.

• Cost: These tours may be really expensive, really. If you might be on a budget trip this may take up a good percentage of it. You see? You get what you pay for though and it should definitely give you really good memories.
• Weather: The flights maybe are super weather-dependent and will likely get cancelled. In fact it is something to consider, because it isn’t that likely! You get me? Be ready with an alternate idea.
• Time: You are really giving up the best part of a day for the total tour. So make sure you would be okay giving this much time up and is what you will most like to be doing. So maybe look into your ideal plan?
• Physical Condition: You do need to be up super early and feel good with heights! You see? Plus the camel ride can also be not ideal if you have back issues. A bit to consider for people like you!

The experience has definitely got a lot of upside: a fantastic chance to just immerse yourselves in an absolutely sensational view of the landscape. Enjoying all this? Obviously in addition, you’ll very likely get unique experiences for example getting the traditional breakfast as well as riding those camels, maybe that you couldn’t see normally. Is that just amazing? So arguably if those benefits resonate with your passions then yes, a hot air balloon flight over the Atlas Mountains could be more or less well worth the cash!

Read our full review: Atlas Mountains balloon ride Full Review and Details

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