Last updated: · by the Ballooning Experience team
Tinghir from the sky
Tinghir sits in the south-east of Morocco, between the High Atlas and the Jbel Saghro, at the opening of the Todra valley. From the ground you see the town; from the basket you see what makes it special: a green ribbon of date palms, olive trees and small fields following the river, with villages of earth and stone along its edges. At sunrise the mountains turn red and gold, and the palm grove is still in the shade below you.
What you see from the basket
- The palm grove, its gardens and irrigation channels, in every shade of green
- Old kasbahs and ksour, the fortified earth villages of the south
- The road towards the Todra Gorge, winding north into the mountains
- Dry, bare mountains on both sides of the valley, glowing at first light
The balloon and the Todra Gorge
People often ask if the balloon flies inside the gorge. It doesn't: a balloon needs open space and steady air, and the narrow walls of the gorge are neither. The flight follows the wide valley and the palm grove. After landing, the gorge is a short drive away, and walking between its walls in the morning, before the tour buses, is the perfect second half of the day.
How a Tinghir flight works
Because the balloon, the crew and the vehicles travel from Marrakech, we plan each flight in the south with you. When you write to us, we tell you whether a date is possible, the meeting point or pickup and the time. On the morning itself it is the same as in Marrakech: tea before the flight, the pilot's briefing before the balloon is prepared, inflation in the dark, and take-off as the sun comes up. If the wind is not safe, we don't fly, and we agree the options with you when you book.
On your way to the desert
Tinghir lies on the classic route from Marrakech to Merzouga, so it fits easily into a desert tour. If you are travelling with a driver or a tour, tell us where you sleep near Tinghir and on which night: a sunrise flight can be your morning before the gorge and the road east to the dunes.
Hot air balloon in Tinghir: questions
Can you do a hot air balloon ride in Tinghir?
Yes, on selected dates. Our team and balloon travel from Marrakech to fly over Tinghir and the Todra palm grove. Send us your dates and we tell you whether a flight is possible.
What do you see from a balloon over Tinghir?
A long green ribbon of palm trees, fields and gardens along the river, earth-built villages and old kasbahs at its edges, and dry mountains on both sides. On clear mornings the High Atlas is to the north and Jbel Saghro to the south.
Does the balloon fly into the Todra Gorge?
No. A balloon needs open space and steady air, so it flies over the valley and the palm grove, not between the walls of the gorge. The gorge is a short drive from Tinghir and best visited on foot after your flight.
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Tinghir?
€250 per person. Send us your dates and the number of people on WhatsApp, and we confirm whether a flight is possible.
How far in advance should I book a balloon flight in Tinghir?
As early as you can. These flights are planned around our team's schedule, so a few weeks' notice gives the best chance of finding a date.
Can I add a Tinghir balloon flight to my desert tour?
Often, yes. Tinghir is on the classic route between Marrakech and Merzouga. Tell us where you sleep and on which night, and we see if a sunrise flight fits your plan.
Ask about a Tinghir flightSend a request
Good to know: the Todra Gorge on Wikipedia.