Last updated: · by the Ballooning Experience team
The Erg Chebbi dunes from the sky
Erg Chebbi is the great sea of sand next to the village of Merzouga, in the far south-east of Morocco. Its dunes are among the highest in the country. From the ground you climb one dune to see the next; from the basket you see the whole sea of sand at once, the ridges catching the first sun, the long blue shadows in the valleys between them, and the camps hidden among the dunes.
Why it is on request only
Merzouga is close to a border area, and a balloon flight there needs a special permission for the date. We ask for it on your behalf before we confirm anything. On top of that, the balloon, the crew and the vehicles make the long journey from Marrakech. That is why we never sell Merzouga flights as a daily activity, and why early planning makes all the difference.
What you see from the basket
- Golden and orange dunes rolling to the horizon
- The sunrise over the Sahara, and the colours changing on the sand minute by minute
- The palm grove and village of Merzouga at the edge of the dunes
- Desert camps and camel paths far below
How to ask for a Merzouga flight
- Send your dates (and a few alternatives if you can), the number of guests and where you will sleep.
- We check the team's schedule and ask for the flight permission for your date.
- We confirm the price, the meeting point and the time before you travel.
- On the morning, the pilot checks the wind. If it is not safe, we don't fly, and the options are agreed with you in advance.
Sunrise only, even in the desert
The desert is hot by day, and the heat keeps the air moving until evening. At dawn the sand has cooled during the night and the air is still: the safest and most beautiful moment to fly. So in Merzouga, as in Marrakech, there is no sunset flight. Watch the sunset from the top of a dune instead.
Part of your desert tour
Most travellers reach Merzouga on a two- or three-day tour from Marrakech or Fes and spend a night in a desert camp. A balloon flight can be the morning after that night, before the road back. Tell us your tour dates as soon as they are fixed. On the same road you can also ask about our flights over the Roses Valley and Tinghir.
No time for the Sahara?
The Merzouga dunes are a long way from Marrakech. If your trip is short, our sunrise flight near Marrakech runs every morning the weather allows, with hotel pickup and breakfast, and you are back by late morning. Our Marrakech flights.
Hot air balloon in Merzouga: questions
Is there a hot air balloon ride in Merzouga?
Yes, on request. We can fly over the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, but each flight needs a special permission, so it must be planned well in advance.
Why does a balloon flight in Merzouga need a special permission?
Merzouga is in a sensitive border area of the Sahara, and balloon flights there are not part of a regular daily activity. We ask for the permission for your date before we can confirm the flight.
How far in advance should I ask for a Merzouga balloon flight?
As soon as you know your dates. The permission and the travel of the team and balloon take time, so the earlier you write, the better the chance.
How much does a hot air balloon ride in Merzouga cost?
It is priced on request. The price depends on the date, the number of guests and the travel of the balloon, crew and vehicles from Marrakech.
What do you see from a balloon over the Erg Chebbi dunes?
Waves of orange and golden dunes, some of the highest in Morocco, long shadows at sunrise, the palm grove and village of Merzouga at the edge of the sand, and desert camps among the dunes.
Can I do a hot air balloon ride in Merzouga at sunset?
No. Like everywhere we fly, we fly only at sunrise. After a day of desert sun the air is hot and turbulent; at dawn it is cool and calm.
Is there a balloon ride over the Sahara near Marrakech?
No. The real Sahara dunes start around Merzouga, a long drive from Marrakech. Near Marrakech there is the stony Agafay desert, and our Marrakech flights go over the countryside north-east of the city.
Ask about a Merzouga flightSend a request
Learn more: the Erg Chebbi dunes on Wikipedia.