Hot Air Balloon United Arab Emirates

A ride in a hot air balloon in United Arab Emirates is unlike any other experience. Floating gently above the landscape, travellers get a peaceful view of rolling hills, open fields and city skylines. MakeMyTrip offers 1493 hot air balloon tours in United Arab Emirates for 2025, with both sunrise and sunset options. The flights are led by trained personnel who ensure safety while sharing insights about the region below. The calm journey makes it ideal for couples, photographers and families who want to see the city from a unique angle. With United Arab Emirates hot air balloon ticket prices starting from INR 397, this activity is within reach for most travellers. Book your hot air balloon ride in United Arab Emirates this December with MakeMyTrip and create moments worth remembering.

Floating Free: A Morning with Hot Air Balloon UAE

You wake up before the city even stirs. The desert air is sharp, almost cold on your face, and the sand crunches under your shoes. The balloon lies flat, huge but quiet, until the flames rush in and light it like a lantern in the dark. That’s the first time you feel it; this is real.

The lift isn’t sudden. No jolts, no fear. Just a slow rise. One moment you’re on the ground, the next you’re floating, watching the desert shrink beneath you. A hot air balloon UAE flight isn’t about chasing adrenaline. It’s softer than that. You drift. The dunes below twist into patterns that look almost like waves, and every gust of wind takes you further into the silence.

There’s a smell of burnt fuel from the burner, a hiss that breaks the stillness now and then, and then it’s just you, the wind, and the view. Sometimes you spot camels, tiny dots crawling over the sand. Sometimes it’s nothing but endless gold fading into blue.

The sunrise paints everything in shades you can’t quite capture on camera. Pink, gold, a glow that makes the desert look alive. That’s why people keep saying a hot air balloons ride in UAE is unforgettable, because it feels like the world pauses up there.

Most rides last about an hour. Some end with breakfast waiting in the desert, others add little extras like falcon shows. The hot air balloons UAE price usually starts from INR 20,000 per person, depending on what’s included.

When to Go

Peak Season (October to April):
This is when the desert feels generous. The mornings are crisp, the skies are clear, and the sand takes on that soft golden glow as the sun rises. A hot air balloon UAE flight at this time is comfortable, steady, and full of colour. It’s also the busiest season, so you’ll want to plan ahead.

Shoulder Seasons (May, September):
The heat starts to creep in, and the air isn’t as sharp. You can still enjoy a hot air balloons ride in UAE, though the mornings might feel warmer than you’d like. The upside is fewer crowds, and sometimes the desert skies put on dramatic shows with light breaking through scattered clouds.

Summer Season (June to August):
This is when the desert is at its harshest. The air can be heavy with heat before you even take off, and the sand radiates warmth quickly. While some flights still run, it’s not the most pleasant time for a hot air balloon UAE trip. If you do find yourself here in these months, expect shorter mornings, but also the reward of seeing the desert in its most raw state.

Types of Hot Air Balloon Experiences

Hot Air Balloon Ride in Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai

Overview

A sunrise escape into Ras Al Khaimah’s desert sky is unlike anything else. The quiet before takeoff, the sudden burst of flames, and then the lift, gentle, almost dreamlike. A hot air balloon UAE ride here pulls you above mountains, coastline, and endless sand all waking up in golden light. You’ll spot wildlife moving below and end the morning with a classic Arabian-style breakfast spread. It feels less like a tour, more like stepping into a different rhythm of the country.

Locations

The ride takes place over Ras Al Khaimah, about an hour from Dubai. It’s one of those places where the desert meets rugged mountains and a hint of the sea, so you’re not just seeing dunes, you’re seeing the UAE in layers.

What you’ll see

On a good morning, the horizon glows pink, the Hajar mountains cut sharp lines against the sky, and flocks of birds sometimes sweep through the silence. Below, camels and gazelles move across the sand, tiny from where you’re floating. It’s the sort of sight that makes a hot air balloons ride in UAE worth every second of the early wake-up.

Package options

You can go for the standard shared basket ride or request a private compartment if you’re after a more personal space in the sky. Either way, the morning ends with breakfast at a traditional majlis setup, tea in hand as the desert warms up around you.

Cost

It starts from INR 41,920 per adult, which covers not just the flight but the breakfast and transfers too. When you think about the memory you carry home, the hot air balloon UAE price feels like an easy splurge.

Premium vs. standard

Standard gets you the group experience, still magical, just a little busier. Premium packages usually mean fewer people in the basket, more personalised service, and sometimes upgraded dining when you land. If you’re the type who likes space to stretch and savour, the premium option makes the experience feel a little more yours.

Dubai Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride From Abu Dhabi

Overview

The desert feels different when you come in from Abu Dhabi, a little further, a little quieter, and maybe even more rewarding. You’re picked up long before dawn, and by the time you reach the sands, the air is cool and still. Flames fill the balloon, glowing in the dark, and then you’re lifting off. A hot air balloon UAE ride from here makes you forget cities even exist, with nothing but dunes and sky stretching out forever.

Locations

The flight takes you over the Dubai desert, away from the bustle, into landscapes where golden sand rolls endlessly. From higher up, you’ll catch sight of distant ridges and occasional desert tracks cutting through nothingness.

What you’ll see

The real magic is the sunrise. The moment light breaks the horizon, the desert changes colour, pale greys to deep orange to soft gold. Below, you might see camels or oryx wandering quietly. It’s these views that make a hot air balloons ride in UAE something you’ll carry in memory long after the morning is over.

Package options

Most packages cover the flight and a post-ride gourmet breakfast under open skies. Some include private transfers or extras like champagne toasts, depending on how fancy you want to make it.

Cost

It starts from INR 36,340 per adult. When you’re sitting with a plate of fresh food after floating over the desert at sunrise, the hot air balloon UAE price feels worth every rupee.

Premium vs. standard

Standard packages are group flights, still plenty comfortable. Premium versions give you a smaller basket space, more personal service, and often upgraded dining setups. If you’re marking a special day or just want fewer people around, the premium ride makes the whole experience even more intimate.

What to Expect on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Your day begins before dawn. The desert is still dark, cool, and almost too quiet, broken only by the sound of burners roaring as the balloon slowly takes shape. You’ll feel a mix of nerves and excitement as you step into the basket, waiting for the ground to slip away. And then it happens, weightlessness, the slow and steady lift that marks the start of your hot air balloon UAE journey.

You take off slower than you expect. No jolt, no rush, just this creeping lift where you suddenly realise the ground isn’t under your feet anymore. At first, you hear the fire above your head, loud and hot, and then nothing. Just air. Silence that makes you aware of your own breathing. That’s when a hot air balloon UAE flight stops being about “sightseeing” and becomes something else.

The desert below changes with every minute. First it’s all shadows and grey, then a streak of orange hits the horizon. Within seconds, the dunes are glowing like someone poured gold over them. You squint, thinking you’ve spotted movement, a camel train, maybe an oryx wandering, and then it’s gone, swallowed up by the vastness. Sometimes you don’t see anything at all. Just emptiness. Beautiful, endless emptiness.

Up there, time goes strange. They say the ride lasts an hour, but it doesn’t feel like it. Could be ten minutes, could be three hours, your head can’t keep track. By the time you land, whether it’s to a breakfast spread in the sand or a simple toast, you know it’s the kind of story you’ll keep close. Out of all the activities you could do here, this one leaves the biggest imprint. A hot air balloons ride in UAE is less about floating high and more about how the desert looks when it finally shows itself in full light.

Safety and Tips

• Book early. Seats fill up quickly, especially during the cooler months. And remember, flights depend on weather, wind or poor visibility can cancel your ride. Having flexible dates saves you from the heartbreak of missing out on your hot air balloons ride in UAE.
• Layer up. The desert is cold before sunrise, but once the balloon climbs and the sun’s out, it gets warm fast. A jacket you can peel off makes all the difference. Wear flat shoes too, you’ll need to climb in and out of the basket.
• Carry light. A phone or camera, sunglasses, maybe a small bottle of water for after the flight. That’s it. The less you lug around, the easier it is to enjoy the view instead of fiddling with your stuff.
• Mind the rules. Kids usually need to be at least 5 years old, and it’s not recommended if you’re pregnant or dealing with heart issues. The ride lasts nearly an hour, and standing still that long requires a bit of stamina.
• Trust the pilot’s call. Weather can change fast, and sometimes the balloon just can’t take off safely. It feels frustrating in the moment, but that’s part of the desert’s rhythm. Better safe than sorry.
• Understand the cost. It starts from INR 36,000 or so, but the hot air balloon UAE price covers skilled pilots, ground crews, and the safety systems that make the experience seamless. When you’re drifting quietly above glowing dunes, you’ll know it was worth it.