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→ Overview: 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour
This 2 days Marrakech to Zagora desert tour is the quickest private way to spend a night in the Moroccan desert. First, you cross the High Atlas and visit Ait Ben Haddou. Then, you follow the palm groves of the Draa Valley to Zagora. At sunset, you ride a camel to your camp. The next day, you return to Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
Private tour · Daily departures · Pick-up at your riad. Request your free quote or message us on WhatsApp.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tour type
Private Tour
Availability
All year round, with daily departures
→ 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora at a Glance
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Marrakech, with pick-up at your riad or hotel in the morning |
| Route | Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Agdz – Draa Valley – Zagora – Marrakech |
| Night | 1 night in a desert camp near Zagora |
| Meals | 1 dinner and 1 breakfast |
| Camel ride | About 1 hour to the camp at sunset (a 4×4 transfer is possible) |
| Driving | About 7 hours each way (≈360 km), with stops |
| Best season | March to May and September to November |
→ Why Choose This 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora Tour
If you only have two days, Zagora is the desert you can reach from Marrakech. Therefore, this tour suits travellers who want the Sahara experience without a long trip.
- Short and complete. In two days, you see the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley.
- Private from start to finish. Only your group travels in the vehicle, so you stop wherever you like.
- A night under the stars. You sleep in a private tent in a desert camp, with dinner and Berber drums.
- An honest choice. Zagora’s dunes are smaller than Merzouga’s; however, the drive is much shorter.
Want the high dunes instead? Read Merzouga or Zagora? or choose the 3-day desert tour to Merzouga.
→ 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m).
- Explore Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar.
- Discover Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Africa.
- Drive through the Draa Valley, lined with kasbahs and palm groves.
- Ride a camel at sunset into the Zagora desert.
- Sleep in a private tent in a desert camp near Zagora.
- Watch the sunrise over the desert.
- Visit a women’s argan oil cooperative on the way back.
→ 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Zagora
Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in the morning. First, we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Along the way, we stop at the best viewpoints.
Next, we visit Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village listed by UNESCO. Its earthen walls appear in Gladiator, The Jewel of the Nile and Game of Thrones. Then, we continue to Ouarzazate, home of the Atlas Film Studios.
After lunch, we drive south over the Tizi n’Tinififft pass (1,660 m). Soon, the road reaches Agdz, about 70 km from Ouarzazate, below Jebel Kissane. From there, we follow the Draa Valley, where kasbahs stand among palm groves. In the past, caravans used this route to reach Timbuktu.
In the late afternoon, we arrive in Zagora. Here, your camels are waiting to take you to the camp at sunset. Finally, you share a Berber dinner with drums under the stars.
Overnight
Private tent in a desert camp near Zagora, with dinner and breakfast. Driving time: about 7 hours with stops.
Day 2: Zagora – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – Tizi n’Tichka – Marrakech
It is worth waking up early to watch the sunrise over the desert. Afterwards, you ride back by camel or by 4×4 and have breakfast. Then, we drive north through the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate, with a stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, we cross the High Atlas again over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. On the way down, we visit a women’s argan oil cooperative and learn how the oil is made. Finally, we reach Marrakech in the evening.
Drop-off
At your riad or hotel in Marrakech. Driving time: about 7 hours with stops. Only have one day? Our Ait Ben Haddou day trip covers the first part of this route.
→ What’s Included and Not Included
Everything is clear from the start, so there are no surprise fees.
What's Included
Covered from start to finish
- Private tour and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with seat belts.
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- 1 night in a desert camp near Zagora.
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel, tolls and all vehicle costs.
- Dinner and breakfast (vegetarians welcome).
- Camel handler.
- Camel ride of about 1 hour (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp if you prefer).
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Flights.
- Lunches (picnic or restaurant stops).
- Drinks with meals.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Entrance fees to monuments, museums and kasbahs.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed under “Included”.
→ Route Map
→ Photo Gallery
→ Good to Know: 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora
- Private & door to doorPrivate tour: only your group, with your own driver and vehicle. Pick-up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech; drop-off in Marrakech.
- Driving timeBoth days are road days (about 7 hours each way, ≈360 km) over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and through the Draa Valley.
- AltitudeThe road crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m: it is cold in winter and, after heavy snow, can close for a few hours.
- Desert night1 night in a desert camp near Zagora, reached by camel. The dunes are smaller than in Merzouga but the drive is much shorter. Nights are cold from November to March.
- Best seasonBest months: March to May and September to November. In July and August the desert passes 40 °C, so activities are planned early in the morning and at sunset.
- What to bringBring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf for sun and sand.
Local Expert Tip
Zagora’s dunes are smaller than Merzouga’s – the trade-off for a much shorter trip. In town, stop at the famous ’52 days to Timbuktu’ sign, a reminder of the old caravan route.
→ 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Zagora and Merzouga?
Zagora is closer to Marrakech, so it fits a 2-day trip. Its desert is flatter, with smaller dunes. By contrast, Merzouga has the high Erg Chebbi dunes but needs at least 3 days. Our guide Zagora vs Merzouga compares both.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Zagora?
Zagora is about 360 km from Marrakech. As a result, each day includes about 7 hours on the road, with regular stops.
Are the tents in the Zagora camp private?
Yes. Every guest, whether solo, a couple or a family, has a private, fully equipped tent.
Do we have to ride a camel to reach the camp?
No. The sunset camel ride is optional; instead, we can drive you to the camp by 4×4.
Is a 2-day desert tour worth it?
Yes, if you are short on time. You see the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou and the Draa Valley, and you sleep in the desert. However, for high sand dunes, we recommend Merzouga.
What should I pack for one night in the desert?
Bring a warm layer, because desert nights are cold from November to March. Also pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf and some cash in dirhams. See the best time to visit Morocco. Full list: what to pack for the Sahara desert.
→ Customize Your 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora Tour
Because this is a private tour, you can adapt it to your plans. For example, travellers often ask us to:
- Swap Zagora for the high dunes with the 3 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour.
- Add a night in Ouarzazate or Ait Ben Haddou for a slower pace.
- Travel with children on one of our Morocco family tours.
- Keep the same driver for the rest of your trip with a private driver in Morocco.
Have other ideas? Then let us plan a tailor-made Morocco tour around your dates.
→ Book Your 2 Days Marrakech to Zagora Tour
Ask us for the price
This 2 days Marrakech to Zagora trip is private, so the price depends on your group size, travel dates and the riad or camp category you choose. Send us your dates and number of travellers and we will reply with a clear quote, with no hidden costs.
- Private driver & vehicle
- Built around your dates
- Free, no-obligation quote
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→ What Our Travelers Say
“My mom and I had a great trip! Abdul Abderrahim guided our group of 22 for 10 days all around the country. He always a delight and informative. He was very attentive to any needs or wishes of the group and made the trip seamless. Thank you!”
Chip S
Traveled with family
“The entire adventure was marvelous. There was a lot of driving but our driver was very safe and he made frequent stops and showed us many landmarks and cultural treasures. Our visit to the desert was our highlight of the trip. I can highly recommend.”
Evita M
Traveled with friends
“Just returned from a fascinating 12 day Morocco group tour with guide Abdul. We had an amazing, immersive, super fun experience. Abdul was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, funny, patient, and pleasant. He shared personal memories of growing up Berber…”
Maria R
Traveled with friends
“We had a two week tour through Morocco and it was excellent. We visited many different locations, including the big city medina’s of Marrakech and Fez, the lovely coastal city of Essaouira, the fabulous desert area…”
Catherina2015