The morning, hour by hour
From the 4 am pickup to breakfast after landing.
4:00 am: pickup from your hotel or address in Dubai city, a little earlier or later depending on the season and sunrise time. It is dark and quiet. Bring a jacket in winter.
5:00 am: arrival at the Margham launch site off the Dubai–Al Ain road. The crew inflates the balloon with fans, then the burners; watching it stand up in the half-light is half the show. Tea and coffee are served and the pilot gives the safety briefing, including the landing position: knees bent, holding the rope handles, facing away from the direction of travel.
Just before sunrise: lift-off. The basket takes 16 to 24 people in compartments; everyone has a rail to lean on and a clear view. The pilot climbs for the sunrise, then higher for the horizon, then drops low over the dunes to spot oryx and gazelle.
Mid-flight: the falcon show. A trained falcon is released and flies alongside the balloon, then returns to the falconer's glove. It is a genuine spectacle and the best photo of the morning.
After 45 to 60 minutes: landing, sometimes a soft standing landing, sometimes a gentle tip and drag for a few metres; the briefing prepares you. The crew brings the vehicles.
Then, depending on the package, straight back to your hotel (Standard), or breakfast and a camel ride at the camp (Deluxe, Adventure, Heritage), with dune bashing and quad biking on the Adventure package. Back at the hotel between 8 and 10 am.