Sahara desert trips
Morocco Desert Tours
Morocco desert tours take you from the imperial cities to the golden dunes of the Sahara. Ride a camel at sunset, sleep in a desert camp and wake up to sunrise over Erg Chebbi or the Draa Valley.
100% private
Your own driver
Nights in a desert camp
Tailor-made itinerary
Choose Your Morocco Desert Tour by Starting City
Every Morocco desert tour we run is private: just your group, your own driver and a route built around your dates. Pick the city where your trip starts – Marrakech for the classic High Atlas road via Ait Ben Haddou, Fes for the fastest road to Merzouga, Casablanca or Tangier if you land there, or Ouarzazate if you are already in the south. All prices are on request: ask us for the price of any itinerary.
Desert Tours from Marrakech
From Marrakech you cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Choose the 2 day desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora, the popular 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, or end your trip in Fes with the Marrakech to Fes desert tour.
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Desert Tours from Fes
Fes is the closest imperial city to the Merzouga dunes (about 7–8 hours across the Middle Atlas). Go and come back with the Merzouga desert tour from Fes, or continue south-west on the Fes to Marrakech desert tour through the Todra and Dades Gorges.
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Desert Tours from Casablanca
Landing at Casablanca airport? These tours from Casablanca combine Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes and two nights in the Sahara, ending in Marrakech or back at the airport.
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Desert Tours from Tangier
Arriving by ferry from Spain? Start in Tangier and cross the country through Chefchaouen and Fes to the dunes – the Tangier to Marrakech desert tour is our most complete route.
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Desert Tours from Ouarzazate
Already in the south? From Ouarzazate the Merzouga dunes are one long day away through the Roses Valley and the Dades and Todra Gorges.
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Merzouga or Zagora: which Sahara desert should you choose?
| Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) | Zagora | |
|---|---|---|
| Dunes | Tall golden sand dunes, among the highest in Morocco | Smaller dunes and stony desert |
| From Marrakech | About 9–10 hours (≈560 km) – 3 days minimum | About 7 hours (≈360 km) – possible in 2 days |
| From Fes | About 7–8 hours (≈470 km) | Too far for a short trip |
| Best for | The classic Sahara experience, 3 days or more | Travellers short on time |
How many days do you need for a desert tour?
- 2 days: Zagora from Marrakech, or Merzouga from Fes – long drives, one night in the dunes.
- 3 days: the classic Marrakech – Merzouga loop or a one-way Marrakech – Fes crossing.
- 4–5 days: the most comfortable choice, with shorter driving days and time in the Dades and Todra Gorges.
- 6 days or more: an extra day around Erg Chebbi, Rissani market and the Draa Valley, or a full loop of Morocco.
When is the best time for a Morocco desert tour?
The best months are March to May and September to November. In July and August the Sahara passes 40 °C, so camel rides are planned at sunrise and sunset. From December to February the days are mild but desert nights can drop close to 0 °C, so bring a warm layer. Read more on the official Visit Morocco website.
What to expect on the way
Most routes from Marrakech pass the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, then the Roses Valley and the Dades and Todra Gorges. Routes from Fes cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley palm groves. Want something different? We also design tailor-made Morocco tours around your dates.
Morocco Desert Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are about 560 km from Marrakech (9–10 hours of driving), so plan at least 3 days. Zagora is closer, about 360 km (around 7 hours), and works as a 2-day trip.
Not the real dunes: the shortest overnight option is our 2 day desert tour to Zagora. If you only have one day, the Ait Ben Haddou day trip from Marrakech shows you the High Atlas and the gateway to the desert.
Yes. Every tour is private, with your own driver and vehicle, so you can stop for photos and adapt the pace.
Choose 4 or 5 days so that driving days are shorter, for example the 4 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour or the 5 days tour from Marrakech.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the dates and the camp category you choose. Ask us for the price and we will send you a clear quote with no hidden costs.
