Marrakech Sahara desert tours
Private 2, 3 and 4-day trips to Zagora, Merzouga and Fes, with a night in a desert camp.
Compare our tours
2-day Zagora tour
The shortest way to sleep in the Sahara: one night in a desert camp near Zagora.
See the 2-day tour
3-day Merzouga tour
Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Our most popular route.
See the 3-day tour
4-day tour to Fes
Cross the Sahara and finish in Fes, so you do not double back to Marrakech.
See the 4-day tourCompare our Marrakech Sahara desert tours
| Tour | Length | Route | Where you sleep | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Zagora tour | 2 days / 1 night | Marrakech, High Atlas, Zagora | Desert camp | Private, 1 to 7 people | Short on time |
| 3-Day Merzouga tour | 3 days / 2 nights | Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge, Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) | Desert camp at the dunes | Private or group | The classic Sahara experience |
| 4-Day tour to Fes | 4 days / 3 nights | Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga, Telouet Kasbah and Ifrane | Camp plus hotel or riad | Private, 1 to 7 people | Ending in Fes without doubling back |
Which Marrakech Sahara desert tour should you choose?
- You have 2 days: take the 2-day Marrakech to Zagora desert tour. It is the shortest way to spend a night in the Sahara.
- You have 3 days: take the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour. Merzouga sits at the Erg Chebbi dunes, the Sahara most travelers picture, and the route passes Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge.
- You are heading to Fes: take the 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes and cross Morocco without returning to Marrakech.
- You only have one day: the desert is too far for a day trip, but our Marrakech day excursions cover the best of what is nearby.
The three routes in detail
2-day Marrakech to Zagora
You cross the High Atlas and reach the desert near Zagora for one night in a desert camp, with breakfast and dinner included. Travel is by private 4×4 or van for 1 to 7 people. See the full 2-day itinerary.
3-day Marrakech to Merzouga: stop by stop
A 563 km route over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, offered as a private or group trip. See the full 3-day itinerary.
- Day 1, Marrakech to Boumalne Dades: across the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, then the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Kalaat M’Gouna in the Rose Valley, with the night in Boumalne Dades.
- Day 2, Boumalne Dades to the dunes: Todra Gorge and its 300-meter limestone walls, then Erfoud and Merzouga, where you ride a camel to a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, dinner and live traditional music around the campfire.
- Day 3, Merzouga to Marrakech: sunrise over the dunes, then Rissani, where we pick up Berber pizza for a picnic lunch along the kasbah-lined Draa Valley road, then Agdz and Ouarzazate before crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass back to Marrakech.
Days 1 and 3 each involve about 7 to 8 hours on the road including stops. Day 2 has less driving and more time at the dunes.
4-day Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara
The same Sahara experience, extended: the route runs through Telouet Kasbah, the Merzouga dunes and Ifrane, finishing in Fes with a camp night and hotel or riad stays along the way. See the full 4-day itinerary.
What’s included on our Marrakech Sahara desert tours
3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour (private)
Included
- Private, air-conditioned vehicle (a 4WD SUV or a small van, depending on availability) with room for passengers and luggage
- English or Spanish-speaking guide
- Hotel transfers at the start and end of the trip
- Overnight accommodation each night
- Camel ride to the desert camp
- Private luxury tent with beds, running water and a private bathroom
- Breakfast and dinner every day, plus the picnic lunch on Day 3
- Live traditional music around the campfire
Not included
- Airfare, passports and visas
- Lunch, except the Day 3 picnic
- Snacks and drinks outside meals
- Admission to attractions
- Tips
- Personal purchases such as gifts and souvenirs
2-day Zagora and 4-day Fes tours
The 2-day Zagora tour is private for 1 to 7 people, with a desert camp night, private 4×4 or van, and breakfast and dinner. The 4-day Fes tour is private for 1 to 7 people, with a camp night plus hotel or riad stays, a private 4×4 or comfort van, and daily breakfast. The full lists are on the Zagora and Fes pages.
Optional activities
In Marrakech you can add a cooking class, a hammam experience or an early-morning hot air balloon ride (weather permitting). In the Sahara you can add ATV quad or dune buggy rides, a cooking class with a nomad family, or a henna experience. Tell us which interest you when you book.
Best time for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons, with warm days and mild nights. In summer the desert is very hot by day, and in winter the nights can be cold. Our tours run all year.
How much do Marrakech desert tours cost?
| What changes the quote | Why |
|---|---|
| Private or group | A private trip is priced per vehicle and group, a group trip per person. |
| Group size | The number of travelers decides the vehicle and how the cost is shared. |
| Transport | Car or van type, and the distance of your chosen route. |
| Meals | Breakfast and dinner are included; other meals are paid on the day. |
| Camp and hotels | Nights and room type, plus any change you make to the standard plan. |
| Optional activities | Extras such as quad biking or sandboarding are added on request. |
We do not list one fixed price, because the cost depends on group size, vehicle (4×4 or van), meals, camp standard and season. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size, and we will quote the route you choose.
Starting in Casablanca?
If you land in Casablanca, we also run private desert and imperial city trips from there. See our Morocco tours from Casablanca, or browse everything we offer on the Morocco Time Travel homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Which Marrakech Sahara desert tour is best?
It depends on your time. The 2-day Zagora tour is the shortest way to sleep in the desert, the 3-day Merzouga tour reaches the large Erg Chebbi dunes and adds Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge, and the 4-day tour ends in Fes so you do not have to return to Marrakech.
How many days do I need for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?
You can do it in 2 days, but most of that time is spent driving. Three days gives you the Merzouga dunes with time for the stops on the way. Four days suits travelers continuing north to Fes.
Are these Marrakech desert tours private?
The 2-day Zagora and 4-day Fes tours are private for 1 to 7 people. The 3-day Merzouga tour is available as a private or group trip.
How much does a Marrakech Sahara desert tour cost?
The price depends on group size, vehicle (4×4 or van), meals, camp standard and season, so we quote each trip individually. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp and we will reply with the price for your route.
When is the best time for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons. Summer days in the desert are very hot, and winter nights can be cold. Our tours run year-round.
Can I book a Sahara desert tour from Casablanca instead?
Yes. We run private desert and imperial city tours starting in Casablanca. See our Morocco tours from Casablanca page for the routes.
How long are the drives on the 3-day Merzouga tour?
Days 1 and 3 each involve about 7 to 8 hours on the road including stops for Ait Ben Haddou, the gorges and viewpoints. Day 2 has less driving and more time at the dunes.
What should I pack for a night in the Sahara?
Bring layers, because desert nights can be cold outside summer, plus sun protection, closed shoes and a small overnight bag, since your main luggage stays in the vehicle. Carry some cash for drinks and tips.
What time does the tour start, and can you meet me at the airport?
On the 3-day Merzouga tour we meet you at your hotel in Marrakech at 8am, right after breakfast. If you arrive the day before, tell us your flight time and we can meet you at Marrakech airport and take you to your hotel.
What is the desert camp like?
On the 3-day tour you ride a camel from Merzouga to a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. The camp has private luxury tents with beds, running water and a private bathroom. The evening includes sunset, dinner and live traditional music around the campfire, and you wake up to sunrise over the dunes.
What is and is not included in the 3-day Merzouga tour?
It includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, hotel transfers, overnight accommodation, the camel ride, breakfast and dinner every day and a picnic lunch on Day 3. It does not include airfare, visas, other lunches, snacks and drinks outside meals, admission to attractions, tips or souvenirs.
Can I add activities to my Sahara tour?
Yes. In Marrakech you can add a cooking class, a hammam experience or an early-morning hot air balloon ride (weather permitting). In the Sahara you can add ATV quad or dune buggy rides, a cooking class with a nomad family or a henna experience.
Ready to plan your Sahara trip?
Tell us your dates and how many people are traveling, and we will recommend the right route.
Message us on WhatsApp