Sunrise hot air balloon flight over the desert with falcon show and breakfast
6 h · starts 05:00 · 4.7 (3)
The day starts early. A 4x4 collects you at about 04:30 and drives you out to the launch site in the desert near Margham, about 45 minutes from the city, where the crew are already laying out the balloon in the dark. Our flight partner is licensed by the civil aviation authorities, the pilots have thousands of hours each, and the basket is divided into compartments of four to six people, so it feels less crowded than it sounds. Jomar Villanueva, who leads our sky trips, stays with you from pickup to breakfast.
After a safety briefing you watch the burners fill the envelope, climb into the basket and lift off as the sky turns pink. The flight lasts around an hour and the pilot follows the wind, usually rising to 1,000 metres or more for the wide views and dropping low over the dunes to spot gazelles and oryx. It is quiet up there between burns, and surprisingly cold in winter before sunrise. Landing is the honest bit: you crouch in the basket in the landing position, and on breezy mornings the basket can tip and drag a short distance. It is safe and the crew are trained for it, but guests who are pregnant, have back problems or recent surgery should not fly. The weight limit is 120 kg per person.
A vintage-style 4x4 collects you from the landing spot and takes you to a desert camp for a falcon show, where the handler flies the birds just above your head, and a hot breakfast with eggs, pastries, fruit and Arabic coffee. Flights are cancelled if the wind is too strong, decided at the launch site on the morning; you are offered a new date or a full refund. You are back in Dubai by about 11:00.
How the time is spent
- 04:30Pickup from your hotel or home
A 4x4 collects you 30 minutes before the 05:00 start. Have a warm layer ready, and a light snack if you need one before the flight.
- 05:15Arrive at the launch site near Margham
Hot tea and coffee while the crew lay out the balloons. The pilot checks the wind and confirms whether the morning's flight can go ahead.
- 05:45Safety briefing and inflation
The pilot explains how to board, where to hold on and the landing position, then you watch the burners fire up and the envelope rise.
- 06:15Lift-off at sunrise
About an hour in the air as the sun comes up over the dunes, drifting with the wind, rising high for views and dropping low to spot wildlife.
- 07:20Landing in the desert
Take the landing position the pilot showed you. Once the basket settles, the crew help you out and present your flight certificate.
- 07:45Falcon show and breakfast
A short drive to camp for a falcon flying display, followed by a hot breakfast with eggs, pastries, fruit and Arabic coffee.
- 11:00Drop-off at your door
We leave camp at about 09:45 and drive back to the city. Most guests are home or at their hotel by about 11:00.
Times shown for the first start time; later runs follow the same plan.
Included
- Pickup and drop-off from Dubai hotels and homes
- Flight of about one hour with a licensed pilot
- Safety briefing and inflation at the launch site
- Compartment basket shared with a small group
- Falcon show at a desert camp
- Hot breakfast with Arabic coffee
- Flight certificate
- Our guide with you from pickup to breakfast
Know before you go
- Weight limit is 120 kg per person; please tell us honestly at booking, because basket loading is calculated for safety.
- Minimum age is five, and children must be tall enough to see over the basket edge with help.
- Not suitable for pregnant guests or anyone with back, neck or recent surgery problems, because landings can be bumpy.
- Wear closed shoes, trousers and a warm layer; desert mornings in winter can be below 12 degrees before sunrise.
- Bring a hat or cap; the burners are hot directly above you.
- Flights depend on wind and visibility and are confirmed at the launch site on the morning; fog is common in winter.
Questions about this experience
What is the cancellation policy for the balloon?
What happens if the weather cancels my flight?
Can children fly in the balloon?
Is breakfast vegetarian friendly?
Can I take photos in the basket?
Guests on this experience
The flight itself was beautiful and the pilot was calm and funny. The 4am hotel pickup was brutal though, and with a long drive out to the launch site we were tired before we started. Worth it for the view of the sun coming up over the sand.
Our flight was cancelled once for wind, which we were told can happen, and Viktor rebooked us for two days later with a message the same evening. The second morning was perfect: drifting over the dunes at sunrise with oryx and gazelles below, then a falcon show and breakfast in the desert.
A gift for my husband's fortieth. Viktor arranged for a card to be handed to him in the basket and the crew sang to him at the landing site. Gentle, silent, golden light everywhere. The vintage car drive to breakfast was a fun extra.
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