The Decision That Shapes Your Entire Morning
You have already decided to fly. Good. A hot air balloon ride over Marrakech at sunrise is one of the best things you can do in Morocco. But now comes the real question: do you share the basket with strangers, or do you book the entire balloon for your group?
The answer depends on how many people you are flying with, what you are celebrating, and how much privacy matters to you. Sharing the basket keeps the price down. Booking the whole balloon for your group costs more per person — but it buys you something the shared flight cannot: the sunrise entirely to yourselves, with no strangers in the basket.
We offer three distinct tiers: Classic (shared), Private and VIP. All three include hotel pickup, 4x4 transfer, a full sunrise flight, traditional Moroccan breakfast, a flight certificate and insurance. The difference is exclusivity — and in the case of VIP, where you eat breakfast.
Here is exactly what each option delivers, what it costs, and who it is best suited for.
The Classic (Shared) Flight
The Classic Flight is our most popular option and the entry point for most visitors. You share the balloon with 16 to 24 other guests, each paying 1,700 Dhs per person (roughly €170 or $185).
What the experience is like
You board the basket alongside travellers from around the world. On any given morning, you might find yourself standing next to a couple from Sydney, a family from Paris, or a solo traveller from Tokyo. The atmosphere is social, friendly and diverse. People chat, take photos together, and share the collective thrill of lifting off the ground as the sun breaks over the Atlas Mountains.
The pilot addresses the group as a whole, offering commentary on the landscape below — the palm groves, the Berber villages, the snow-capped peaks in the distance. The flight path, altitude and duration are identical to what you would experience on a private or VIP flight. The views do not change based on how much you pay.
After landing, everyone gathers for a traditional Moroccan breakfast laid out in the open air. Fresh bread, local honey, olive oil, soft cheese, pastries and mint tea. It is relaxed and communal.
Who it is best for
- Solo travellers who want the experience without paying the private premium
- Couples looking for a memorable morning at a fair price
- Budget-conscious visitors who want the same views and flight quality for less
- First-time flyers who are not sure what to expect and want a low-commitment option
The Classic flight is excellent value. If you are travelling alone or as a pair and have no particular reason to need privacy, this is the smart choice.
The Private Flight
The Private Flight costs 5,000 Dhs per person (roughly €500 or $540). Instead of boarding a basket full of strangers, your group has exclusive use of the entire balloon, which carries up to 28 guests.
What you are paying for
Be clear-eyed about the price: at 5,000 Dhs per head, a private flight costs more than the Classic shared ride, not less. You are not saving money — you are buying privacy. The balloon is reserved for your group alone, and for a lot of travellers that is worth every dirham.
If your priority is the lowest possible price, the Classic flight is the smart choice and there is no shame in it — the sunrise, the Atlas Mountains and the flight itself are identical. But if the morning is about a particular moment — a proposal, a milestone, a family reunion — the exclusivity is the whole point, and that is what the Private tier delivers.
What makes it different
Beyond price, a private flight offers something the shared experience cannot: control.
The balloon is yours. No strangers, no competing conversations, no navigating around other passengers for the best photo angle. If you are celebrating a birthday, proposing or simply travelling with people you love, this is the difference between a good experience and a great one.
The pilot tailors the flight to your group. On a shared balloon, the pilot follows a standard routine. On a private flight, there is flexibility. Want to hover lower over a particular village? Linger at peak altitude for an extra few minutes? Ask questions about the landscape without worrying about holding up 20 other people? The pilot adjusts the pace, the altitude and the commentary to suit your group.
The atmosphere is yours to set. A family with young children gets a calm, reassuring flight. A group of university friends gets energy and laughter. A couple celebrating an anniversary gets intimacy and quiet. The experience moulds itself to whoever is in the basket.
Who it is best for
- Families with children who want a relaxed, private environment
- Couples planning a proposal or celebrating a honeymoon
- Birthday groups, anniversary celebrations, milestone events
- Corporate teams or incentive groups
- Friend groups who would rather fly together without strangers in the basket
- Anyone who simply prefers not to share
For a deeper look at flying with younger passengers, see our guide on hot air balloon rides with kids.
The VIP Flight
The VIP Flight is our premium tier. It costs 6,000 Dhs per person, gives your group exclusive use of a balloon carrying up to 30 guests, and includes everything in the Private flight — plus breakfast served on board at altitude.
Breakfast in the sky
This is the detail that sets the VIP apart. Instead of eating after you land, you eat while you fly.
Picture this: you are floating 500 metres above the Moroccan landscape. The Atlas Mountains are glowing pink and gold in the first light of day. The air is still and cool. And spread before you on a table inside the basket is a full Moroccan breakfast — fresh bread still warm from the oven, local honey, olive oil, soft cheese, flaky pastries, seasonal fruit and hot mint tea poured from a traditional pot.
It is not a token gesture. It is a proper meal, carefully prepared and served at altitude. The combination of the silence, the views and the food creates something genuinely unique. There is no restaurant in Marrakech — or anywhere else — that can replicate this setting.
What you are paying for
At 6,000 Dhs per person, the VIP is our most expensive flight — and it is priced for the experience, not for value. What the premium buys is twofold: complete exclusivity, exactly like the Private flight, and breakfast served on board at altitude, which no other tier offers. If eating a full Moroccan breakfast while floating above the desert is the memory you are after, this is the only way to get it.
Who it is best for
- Honeymooners who want the most romantic version of the experience
- Milestone celebrations — 40th birthdays, 25th anniversaries, retirements
- Luxury travellers who want the finest available option
- Groups of six or more who want premium value
- Anyone who loves the idea of eating breakfast while floating above the desert
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Classic | Private | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 1,700 Dhs/person | 5,000 Dhs/person | 6,000 Dhs/person |
| Group size | 16–24 guests | Up to 28 guests | Up to 30 guests |
| Exclusivity | Shared with others | Your group only | Your group only |
| Breakfast | After landing | After landing | Served on board |
| Flight duration | 45–60 minutes | 45–60 minutes | 45–60 minutes |
| Hotel pickup | Included | Included | Included |
| Flight certificate | Included | Included | Included |
| Insurance | Included | Included | Included |
| Pilot customisation | Standard | Tailored to group | Tailored to group |
| Best for | Solo travellers & couples | Groups wanting privacy | Celebrations & luxury |
When to Choose Each Option
Let us cut through the noise with clear recommendations.
Choose Classic if...
You are one, two or three people with no special occasion to mark. You want a great balloon flight at a fair price and you do not mind sharing the basket. The experience is genuinely excellent — the same sunrise, the same Atlas Mountains, the same skilled pilot. Do not feel like you are settling. The Classic flight is our most popular option for a reason.
Choose Private if...
You want the balloon to yourselves, or you are marking an occasion. A private flight costs more per person than the shared Classic ride — but if you are planning something personal — a proposal, a birthday surprise, a family morning, a corporate experience — privacy is not an indulgence. It is the entire reason you are booking. No strangers, no compromises, and a pilot who flies for your group alone.
Choose VIP if...
You want the absolute best version of the experience. The VIP flight is for people who do not want to wonder "what if we had gone for the top option?" If you are on your honeymoon, celebrating a major milestone, or simply the kind of traveller who chooses the finest available option, the breakfast served on board — a full Moroccan spread eaten while you float above the Atlas foothills — is the detail nobody forgets.
Is the Private Upgrade Worth It?
Let us be honest about the trade-off, because it is simpler than the marketing usually makes it sound.
The Classic flight is the best price. You share the basket, and the sunrise, the mountains and the flight itself are exactly the same as every other tier. If money is the deciding factor, book it without hesitation.
The Private and VIP flights cost more per person — you are paying a premium, not finding a saving. What that premium buys is exclusivity: the whole balloon reserved for your group, a pilot who tailors the morning to you, and (on the VIP) breakfast at altitude. For a proposal, an anniversary, a family celebration or a corporate group, that privacy is often exactly what makes the morning worth remembering.
So the question is not "which is cheaper?" — it is "does this morning call for privacy?" If yes, the upgrade is worth it. If not, the Classic flight is a genuinely excellent choice.
For a full breakdown of all pricing tiers and what is included, see our complete price guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we book Classic tickets for some of our group and a Private balloon for others?
Not on the same balloon. The Classic flight is a shared basket and the Private flight is exclusive to one group, so they are separate balloons launching separately. If part of your party wants the shared experience and the rest want privacy, those are two independent bookings on two different balloons — not one group flying together. If you want everyone in the air together, book the whole party onto a single tier.
Is the flight itself different between tiers?
The flight path, duration and altitude are the same across all three tiers. You see the same Atlas Mountains, the same palm groves, the same sunrise. The difference is who you share the basket with and whether breakfast is served on board or on the ground.
Can we add decorations to a Private or VIP flight?
Yes. For proposals, birthdays and celebrations, we can arrange personalised banners, flowers, champagne and other touches. Contact us during the booking process and we will provide a quote.
What if our group is larger than 28 or 30?
For groups exceeding the basket capacity, we can arrange multiple balloons launching simultaneously. This is popular for corporate events and large celebrations. The per-person pricing remains the same across every balloon.
Do we need to pay a deposit?
Yes. We ask for a deposit of 50€ (or 500 MAD) per person to confirm your booking, with the remaining balance due before the flight. If the flight is cancelled due to weather, you receive a full reschedule or refund of your deposit.
The Right Choice Is Simpler Than You Think
Strip away the marketing and the decision comes down to two questions.
How much does privacy matter? If you are happy sharing the basket and want the best price, book the Classic. If you want the balloon reserved for your group — for a celebration, a proposal, or simply your own company — book the Private.
Do you want breakfast on board? If yes, book the VIP. If you are happy eating after landing, Private is the right call.
That is it. No complicated decision tree. No hidden trade-offs. Just straightforward value matched to what you actually need.
Whether you are watching the sunrise alone in a basket full of friendly strangers or floating in complete privacy with the people who matter most, the morning will stay with you for a very long time. The only question is how you want to remember it.
Contact us to book your flight — we will help you choose the right option for your group.
Ready to book? Check availability and book online — or compare all our balloon flights in Marrakech side by side.