Dubai · Sharjah · Ajman · Abu Dhabi · Ras Al Khaimah
Lift off before dawn from the Margham desert, drift over the dunes as the sun comes up with a falcon flying alongside the basket, and land to breakfast. Five packages from a simple flight to a two-day desert stay.
✦Five packages from AED 1,100
✦Flight of 45 to 60 minutes with falcon show
✦Pickup from Dubai city at about 4 am
✦Ages 5 to 80, season late September to May
Prices per person, VAT included. Pick a package and tell us your date; we confirm availability and take it from there.
Sunrise flight
Sunrise flight with in-flight falcon show and Dubai city pickup.
from
AED 1,100
/ adult · AED 1,000 / child (3–11)
Sunrise flight
The flight, then a buffet breakfast and a camel ride at a Bedouin camp.
from
AED 1,209
/ adult · AED 1,149 / child (3–11)
Sunrise flight
Flight, dune bashing, breakfast, camel and horse rides, and 20 minutes on a quad bike.
from
AED 1,399
/ adult · AED 1,199 / child (3–11)
Sunrise flight
Flight, vintage Land Rover drive in the conservation reserve, à la carte Emirati breakfast and camel ride.
from
AED 1,795
/ adult · AED 1,595 / child (3–11)
Sunrise flight
A night at the heritage camp in the reserve, then the sunrise flight with breakfast.
from
AED 2,400
/ adult · AED 2,100 / child (3–11)
A balloon flight is the quietest thing you can do in Dubai. The burner roars for a few seconds at a time, then there is nothing: no engine, no wind, because you move with it, just the basket, the desert and the light changing under you.
Flights launch from Margham, off the Dubai–Al Ain road about 45 minutes from the city, a few minutes before sunrise. Every package includes the flight of roughly 45 to 60 minutes, pickup and drop-off in Dubai city, and the in-flight falcon show that has become the signature of ballooning here: a trained falcon released from the basket that flies alongside and returns to the glove.
The packages differ in what happens after landing: a return to your hotel, a buffet or à la carte breakfast at a Bedouin camp, a vintage Land Rover drive through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, dune bashing and quad biking, or a full night in the desert before the flight. The packages page below sets them out side by side with prices.
The five balloon packages, compared
What each package includes and costs, from the flight alone to a night in the desert.
The morning, hour by hour
From the 4 am pickup to breakfast after landing.
When balloons fly, and who can fly
The flying season, the weather that cancels, and the age and health rules.
Almost nobody finds it so. The basket is chest-high, the ascent is slow and there is no sensation of movement. People with a fear of heights regularly do it and are fine, because there is no edge to look over. The operator does advise against it for anyone with a real fear of flying.
From AED 1,100 per adult and AED 1,000 per child (ages 5 to 11) for the flight alone with pickup, up to AED 2,400 for the two-day overnight package. Prices include VAT. The private flight is priced on request.
Ages 5 to 80. Not permitted for pregnant women, and not suitable for anyone with serious back, knee or heart conditions, recovering from surgery, or with a physical impairment that prevents standing for an hour and bracing for the landing.
Any hotel or address in Dubai city is included. Pickups from Jebel Ali, Bab Al Shams, Hatta and the other emirates are possible at a surcharge, quoted when you request a date.
The pilot checks the wind before the 4 am pickup. Wind, fog or sand haze cancels the flight and you are moved to another morning or refunded. Balloons do not fly in the summer months.
Yes. An edited flight video sent by email is available for AED 200 per booking on every package, and is included in the private flight.
Same team, same simple booking, other days of your stay.
Arabian Desert Safaris
Dune bashing, camel rides, BBQ dinner and live shows. Build your own safari.
Dubai Supercar Hire
Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and G-Class by the day, delivered to your hotel.
Quad Tours Dubai
Quad bikes and dune buggies on the red dunes, with hotel pickup.