Marrakech Desert Tours
The intoxicating city of Marrakech is the perfect jumping-off point for adventures into the Sahara desert to the south. From that Imperial City, you can arrange a wide range of Sahara desert trips and excursions. Whether you are looking for a single-day trip or a tour that will take you into the Sahara desert for several days, you are sure to find just the right option for your Sahara desert trips from Marrakech.
The Sahara desert is a vast arid region characterized by sandy plains and dunes – most notably those large ergs, or areas of dunes at Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga. The deserts south of Marrakech and the Atlas mountains are dotted with dusty kasbahs and verdant oases that act as hubs for desert adventures.
Visitors to Marrakech can choose to take a Sahara Desert Trip that will take them to one of these oases – perhaps one of the most popular destinations – such as Zagora, Mhamid, or Merzouga. It is possible to reach these destinations by road, through the stunning mountain passes of the Atlas mountains, or by air, on a luxury helicopter flight.
From these destinations, visitors can explore the famous dunes and other breathtaking natural landscapes and features of this arid region on camel treks, 4×4 drives, or by enjoying another desert adventure.
Marrakech Desert Excursions
Marrakech desert excursions do not need to span more than a single day. Camel treks, 4×4 drives, and stunning aerial adventures by helicopter or even hot air balloon will allow you to explore desert landscapes close to the city in a matter of mere hours. If your time in Morocco is limited, a short excursion into one of the desert areas surrounding the city is a chance to experience an arid, exotic landscape without heading further south to the Sahara on a multi-day tour.
On a one-day Marrakech desert excursion, you can see Marrakech’s famous palm groves and venture into the desert beyond. Whether you venture out of the city on the ground or take to the skies, you can see amazing things within easy reach of the heart of the city. desert excursions from Marrakech can also take you from the city to the Agafay Desert, just 30 miles or so to the south. This is a great alternative if you do not have the time to go all the way to the main attractions in the Sahara desert, further to the south. Here there are also dunes to explore, and you
can also see Lalla Takerkoust – a man-made lake where you can canoe or swim.
On a one-day desert excursion from Marrakech, you can also pay a visit to the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. To do so, you can make the trip through the Atlas mountains and then venture as far as the historic desert outpost of Ouarzazate.
Marrakech to Sahara Tour
A multi-day Marrakech to Sahara tour is a great way to get to know this southern part of Morocco. There is something very special about these southern desert landscapes that defy description. The only way to truly understand them is to see them for yourself.
Two or 3 days Marrakech to Sahara tours will allow you to spend a night or two in Zagora, one of the country’s best-known desert oases. There you can often enjoy activities such as camel rides, and spend a tranquil night or two in luxury encampments under the desert stars. You can find out more about the history and culture of the people who have made their lives in this arid landscape, and often stop off at historic sites such as the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate along the way.
A Marrakech to Sahara tour of at least three days and two nights will take you a little further, to the area around the desert oasis of Merzouga. This is where you should come if you want to see one of Morocco’s desert’s most famous sites – the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here too you can enjoy camel rides and explore the amazing dunes and surrounding desert in a range of other ways. Here too you can explore the history and culture of the desert peoples as well as take some time to get to know the desert’s stunning landscapes and vistas.
Best Desert Tours from Marrakesh
The best Sahara desert tours from Marrakech are definitely those that allow you to spend as much time in the desert as possible. While it is perfectly possible to see desert landscapes on one or two-day tours from the city, if you have the time, you should definitely consider taking a longer tour. Spending at least two or three nights under the desert stars is the best way to really come to an understanding of the Sahara’s incredible landscapes. The very best Sahara desert tours are those which take you to the dunes and sands around the desert oases of Zagora, Merzouga, or Mhamid. But while these locations and the closer desert city of Ouarzazate all have their attractions, it is when you leave the settlements behind that you really get to see what the Sahara is all about. While you should be sure to hit the highlights – like the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, and the dunes of Erg Chebbi, the best tours will also take you to less well-known locations.
Whether you travel by camel, by 4×4, or even take to the skies, you can see the desert at its best when you make the effort to get away from the crowds. Small group Sahara desert tours allow visitors to experience the serene, quiet beauty of desert landscapes, and spending a few nights in a more remote desert camp is really the only way to really get to know this incredible part of the globe.
Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tours
If you have the time while in Morocco, you should definitely consider taking a two-day desert tour to reach Zagora. This is one of the very best ways to get a taste of the Sahara desert and experience the amazing arid landscapes of this region at their very best. Marrakech to Zagora desert tour will usually begin with a drive through the stunning Atlas
mountains. Many tours take visitors through the amazing Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the High Atlas, with its majestic peaks. The first port of call is often the UNESCO listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, one of the region’s foremost historic sites. This amazing destination is included on many tours from Marrakech to the desert and is definitely not a site that you will wish to miss.
Next, the best Marrakech to Zagora tours often takes visitors for a scenic drive along the Draa Valley, before continuing on to enjoy a camel ride or other activity near Zagora before spending a night in a Berber camp in the nearby desert. Often, the return trip to Marrakech involves a visit to nearby Ouarzazate, which also boasts several
interesting historic and cultural sites. Of course, longer tours are even better, and several tours offer an additional night in the desert before you return to the city. The longer you are able to spend in the Zagora desert, the more amazing your experience can be. The Zagora desert sunsets are something that you will want to experience more than once.
Marrakech to Merzouga Desert tours
Those who want to see more of the Sahara desert and southern parts of Morocco than can be seen on a tour of only one or two days should definitely consider taking a three day, two-night tour (or even a longer tour if possible) to venture to the desert outpost of Merzouga. Passing through the stunning High Atlas mountains, through the Tizi Ntchka pass, many tours will first take visitors to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate before continuing on to reach a first night stop in the beautiful Dades Valley.
Tours to Merzouga will often next take in the delights of the desert oasis of Tinghir and the breathtaking Todra Gorge before continuing on to Rissani, which is famous for its date market and for being a starting point for ancient trading caravans heading off to Timbuktu. After a brief stop here, tours continue on, taking visitors through some rocky desert landscape to Merzouga. Finally, you will reach the highlight of any Luxury Morocco desert tours from Marrakech to Merzouga – the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Their visitors can enjoy a camel ride or another activity before reaching the desert camp where they will spend the night. On the third day of Marrakech to Merzouga desert trips, you will usually make a brief stop in Ouarzazate as you make your way back to the start point of your adventure. Unless, of course, you have opted for a longer tour and are spending another night in the delightful Sahara.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Trips while many tours from Marrakech to the Sahara desert will start and end in that city, visitors to Morocco could also consider taking 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, then north to end the adventure in Fes.
Marrakech to Fes desert tours will take you, on the first day, from Marrakech over the amazing Atlas mountains to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate, through Skoura and the Rose Valley and to the Dades Gorge, where you will spend the first night.
On the second day, you will take in the delights of Todra Gorge and visit the ancient trading post of Rissani before making your way to Merzouga, and the desert highlight of the dunes of Erg Chebbi – one of Morocco’s most famous desert sights. Often, you will be able to enjoy a camel ride before watching the sunset over the dunes and spending the night in a Berber desert camp under the stars.
The following morning, on the last day of a Marrakech to Fes desert tour, you may enjoy another early morning camel ride before you make the eight-hour road trip to the imperial city of Fes by way of Erfoud, Erachidia, and Midelt. Often, tours will take you through the Middle Atlas mountains, through a string of scattered, historic villages, with the chance to see monkeys in a cedar forest along the way before you continue on to reach your destination.
Taking a Marrakech to Fes desert tour is a great way to make the most of your time in the country, and to see as much as possible during your visit to Morocco.
Marrakech Desert Tours Prices
Marrakech desert tours prices are far lower than you might imagine and offer excellent value for your money. When you book one of our Marrakech desert tours you can rest assured that your money is well spent. We will transport you to top desert destinations on small private group tours with your own driver/ private guide in luxury vehicles or on shared Marrakech desert trips for 10-17 people. From beginning to end, we will be on hand to make sure that you have the best possible desert tour experience.
Shared, small-group, 2-day tours from Marrakech to the Zagora desert can be arranged from as little as 59 Euros per person. Private desert tours from Marrakech for couples cost in the region of 180 Euros per person, dropping to 120 Euros for 3-4 people and 90 Euros for a group of 5-6 people. 4-day adventures from Marrakech to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi dunes can cost from 89 Euros per person for a spot on a shared, small-group tour, to 290 Euros per person for a private tour for two, 175 Euros for 3-4 people and 145 Euros for groups of 5-6. If you wish to begin your desert tour in Marrakech and finish it in Fes, that will be priced from 173 Euros per person on a shared, small-group tour, and at 365 Euros per person on private two-person tours, going down to 215 Euros per person for 3-4 people, and 170 Euros for private groups of 5-6 people.
Marrakech Sahara Trips Highlights
Being close to the Sahara makes Marrakech a much preferred holiday spot by desert tour lovers. The incredible natural beauty, charming culture, and heritage of this city are sure to make your Marrakech Sahara tour memorable. Climbing up Toubkal, Africa’s highest peak, exploring the southern deserts, trekking, horse and camel riding are things that you can do in Marrakech.
Marrakesh is an ideal starting point for visitors who want to travel to the Sahara Desert. It is the hub of activities all year round and makes a fitting departure for visitors who are interested in camel trekking and exploring the desert.
The best of Marrakech desert trips are included in these fantastic days trips from Marrakech- Immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of Moroccan Sahara: historic, traditional, and colorful Cities: Fes, Merzouga, Zagora, and Marrakech – Lose yourself in the colorful Medinas (Old towns) and souks of Marrakech and Fes, visit the famous Djemaa El Fna Square, enjoy the beautiful sceneries of the Middle Atlas Mountain between Fes and Marrakech…
