Mount Toubkal Long Weekend 2019

30th September

Part 1 - Balloon flight

Balloon logo

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I was keen to take a sunrise balloon flight and after much searching and comparing of the various outfits that offer it I decided upon Marrakech Dream Ballooning and was really pleased that I did.

Early morning and the Medina is barely stirring...

Alley

Pre-sunrise arrival at the balloon company's base tent with its atmospheric lanterns for a cup of tea and the safety briefing...

Arrival

Time to fill her up...

Preparation 1

Nearly...

Preparation 2

Final touches, those burners really give out some heat and your head certainly feels it...

Balloon 5

And there it is...

Preparation 3

I was in a with a French couple, the other 3 compartments had 4 people in each...

In a basket

Other companies lifting off...

Flight 1

Flight 2

Flight 3

Up, up and away...

Flight 4

Not too long before we were way above and overtaking those other companies...

Flight 5

Quite a long way down...

Flight 6

I did feel a little giddy when looking down...

Flight 7

Looking across to the Atlas Mountains...

Flight 8

Sunrise...

Flight 10

Getting brighter...

Sunrise 2

Sunrise 3

At 5,925 feet, we did get above 6,000 at one point, it would have been chilly if it wasn't for the burners blasting...

High

High altitude selfie - looking a little wired...

Self

Next - Day 5 - Balloon Trip (Part 2)

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Day 1 - Travel & Day 2 (Part 1) Hike to Refuge

Day 2 - Part 2 - Hike to Refuge

Day 3 - Hike to Summit

Day 4 - Imlil Hike & Marrakesh

Day 5 - Balloon Trip (Part 2)