Hot Air Balloon in Dubai - A Traveller's Guide

Hot air balloons in Dubai is an experience unique to this place. The enchanting view of the sun setting or rising over the golden-hued desserts is a sight to behold from the ground, but watching this from a hot air balloon adds another dimension to this experience. Seeing the biggest sand dunes in the country from up in the air is reason enough for anyone to start planning a trip to Dubai. Marriage proposals in hot air balloons and a hot air balloon ride in Dubai for the honeymoon are becoming popular choice among couples. Here's a comprehensive guide for anyone considering a hot air balloon ride in Dubai.

Hot Air Balloon Tour Operators in Dubai

1. Balloon Adventures Emirates

This company is the first one to start hot air ballooning in Dubai. They provide various alternative packages for you to choose from. Along with the amazing experience of a hot air balloon, you can also enjoy a gourmet dinner, a falcon show, and a desert safari. Your experience with them will begin with an early morning pickup from your hotel. After a 35 or so-minute ride, you will reach the takeoff point. Here, you will get to meet your pilot, who will give you a basic security briefing. Once up in the air, you can marvel at the beautiful scene before you. You will get the only chance to see a falcon fly along with you. 

Price: Adult AED 1195
          Children AED 1045 (5 to 11 years). Free cotton T-Shirt on booking 24 hours in advance. Online booking available. 
Location: 1303 Control Tower, Motor City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Services Provided: Transportation to and from the hotel. Gourmet breakfast in heritage camp, ride inland rover if you choose to pay for it.

2. Sindbad Gulf Balloons

This is yet another top-notch company that has very skilled pilots who will make your experience very cherishable. They assure a very smooth ride where you feel less turbulence than in a plane. They fly only in the morning to ensure optimum conditions and also because the desert looks most beautiful at this time. They have a wide range of packages for you to choose from. 

Price: For Adults, AED 1049 to AED 12000. Children aged 5 to 11,  AED 950 to AED 1050. Online booking available.
Location: Makateb building, Al Maktoum St, Deira - Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
Services Provided: Transportation to and from the hotel and a flight certificate. You can have a gourmet breakfast after your ride, enjoy a falcon show and even choose to take a road safari to continue with the adventure.

3. Hot Air Balloon Dubai 

With its aim of being a comfortable ride for its customers, this company will be a good choice for hot air ballooning in Dubai. They claim to provide top-quality hot air ballooning experience where the contentment and safety of their customers is their top priority. They have balloons big enough to carry as many as 21 passengers in one go. Along with the usual options of seeing a falcon show and going for a desert safari, they also provide you with the option of chartering your own ride. 

Price: AED 907 to AED 1399
Cancellation Policy: 100% refund up till 72 hours before take-off, 75% refund up till 48 hours before take-off, 50% refund up till 24 hours before take-off. No refund if less than 24 hours are left for take off.
Location: Tiffany Tower - Suit no: 1202 - Cluster W - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
Services Provided: Transportation, great offers, pictures and videos of your experience, and a flight certificate. You will also get in-flight snacks, free wifi and a camel ride.

4. Amigos Balloons

This hot air balloon service provider in Dubai is all about ensuring that you have a unique experience during your ride. They have three options to choose from, one where you will be sharing the balloon with a group of other people. In the second option, you get a chance to enjoy the flight with just your loved ones. You also get to decide the time of your flight while taking the weather conditions into account. If you wish to take it a notch further, then book their privileged balloon ride, where you get to enjoy a local breakfast during the flight. The whole experience will last some three to four hours, while the in-flight time is one hour. 

Price: AED 900 to AED 6500, online booking available.
Location: Bin Sougat Building, Nad Al Hamer Rd, Al Kheeran - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.

Apart from these companies dedicated to hot air ballooning in Dubai, one can also book a tour via their tourism package from companies such as Arabia Horizons Tours, Excite Tourism LLC, and Right View Tourism Dubai.

Dubai Hot Air Balloon Launch Sites

• Margham Desert: Margham Desert, located southeast of Dubai, is a popular launch site. The vast expanse of the desert provides a stunning backdrop for hot air balloon adventures.
• Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve: This conservation reserve offers a unique launch site amidst the serene desert landscape. It provides an opportunity to experience the beauty of the desert from the skies.
• Al Marmoom Desert: Al Marmoom Desert, also known as the Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience, is a picturesque launch site known for its scenic dunes and authentic desert experience.

Please verify the launch sites and options with the specific hot air balloon tour operators you plan to engage with. They will provide you with up-to-date information regarding launch locations, availability, and the overall hot air balloon experience in Dubai.

Best Time to Go Hot Air Ballooning in Dubai

The best time to have this experience is during sunrise. Therefore, the hot air balloon tours start at 5:00 a.m. But if you cannot get a morning tour, watching the sunset from the hot air balloon is also a great experience.

Tips

• Hot air ballooning in Dubai is a very popular activity. Therefore it will be best if you book your tour well in advance to ensure you're having the tour of your choice.
• You will need to produce a copy of a photo identity card, such as a Passport, Emirates ID, or any Government-issued ID, before the ride. 
• Ensure you are in good health, as hot air ballooning involves standing for an extended period. Pregnant women and individuals with serious medical conditions should consult a doctor before booking.
• The desert gets very cold at night; therefore, it is advisable that you wear layers of clothes. Heels are not allowed on the balloons.
• Children, shorter than 120-150 cm will not be able to see outside the basket.
• Dress comfortably with layers. Mornings in the desert can be cool, but it warms up as the day progresses. Wear a hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
• Some operators provide a certificate of flight to commemorate your hot air balloon experience.
• Consider combining your hot air balloon ride with a desert safari, camel ride, or breakfast in the desert for a complete adventure.

A hot air balloon ride in Dubai is an unforgettable journey offering a unique perspective of this captivating city and its surrounding landscapes. Be prepared to be awe-inspired by the stunning vistas and enjoy the tranquility of floating peacefully above the desert as the world unfolds beneath you.