Morocco Sahara Desert Tours
Our office is in Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, so every Sahara desert tour we run ends at home: a camel ride into the dunes, a night at a desert camp and sunrise over the sand. From Marrakech that takes 3 or 4 days; from Fes, the dunes are one long day’s drive.
Planning a desert trip in Morocco comes down to three choices: where you start, how many days you have, and which camp you sleep in. This page explains all three. Every trip is private, with your own driver from the first day to the last.
- Dunes
- Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
- From Marrakech
- About 9 h drive
- From Fes
- About 8 h drive
- Best months
- Mar–May · Sep–Nov
Merzouga or Zagora: Which Desert?
For tall dunes, go to Merzouga. For the shortest trip from Marrakech, go to Zagora. Both are real Sahara, but they are very different places.
Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
Erg Chebbi is a sea of orange dunes about 22 km long, with crests up to around 150 m high: the picture most people have of the Sahara. It is about 9 hours’ drive from Marrakech, so a desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga needs at least 3 days, with the outward drive split at Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley. From Fes it is about 8 hours through the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley, which makes Merzouga the natural desert stop between Fes and Marrakech.
Zagora and the Draa Valley
Zagora is closer, about 7 hours from Marrakech, which makes it the 2-day option. The drive follows the palm groves of the Draa, Morocco’s longest river, and the camps sit among smaller dunes. Choose Zagora if you only have two days; choose Merzouga if the dunes themselves are the point.
How many days?
Two days reaches Zagora. Three days reaches Merzouga and back to Marrakech, with one long return day. Four days makes the same trip comfortable, and ending in Fes instead of Marrakech saves backtracking altogether. Longer tours, such as our 7-day Morocco itinerary, include a desert night on the way between the cities.
Our Sahara Desert Tours
Every desert tour we run, from 2 days at Zagora to 5 days with a luxury camp. Longer Morocco itineraries include a desert night too.
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2 days2-Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech
The quickest way from Marrakech to the desert: over the Atlas and down the Draa Valley to a camp near Zagora.Private tour · Price on request -
3 days
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
Over the High Atlas to the dunes of Erg Chebbi and back: our most requested desert trip from Marrakech.Private tour · Price on request -
3 days3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
The desert on the way between two cities: over the Atlas to the Merzouga dunes, then north to Fes.Private tour · Price on request -
3 days3-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour
From Fes over the Middle Atlas to a night in the dunes, then west through the kasbah valleys to Marrakech.Private tour · Price on request -
4 days4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
Merzouga and Erg Chebbi from Marrakech with the drive split into four easy days and a night at Ait Ben Haddou.Private tour · Price on request -
5 daysLuxury Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
A private 4×4, boutique kasbah hotels and two nights in a luxury tent in the Erg Chebbi dunes.Private tour · Price on request
Compare Desert Tours
| Tour | Length | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech | 2 days · 1 night | Round trip from Marrakech | A desert night when you only have two days |
| 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour | 3 days · 2 nights | Round trip from Marrakech | The Sahara from Marrakech in the shortest time |
| 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour | 3 days · 2 nights | Marrakech → Fes | Traveling on from Marrakech to Fes |
| 3-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour | 3 days · 2 nights | Fes → Marrakech | Traveling on from Fes to Marrakech |
| 4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech | 4 days · 3 nights | Round trip from Marrakech | Merzouga from Marrakech at a comfortable pace |
| Luxury Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech | 5 days · 4 nights | Round trip from Marrakech | A slower, more comfortable desert trip |
The road into Merzouga
How Far Is the Sahara?
Merzouga sits in the far southeast of Morocco, close to the Algerian border, so every route there crosses a mountain range. From Marrakech you cross the High Atlas; from Fes, the Middle Atlas. We break every long drive into stages of an hour or two, with stops at the places worth seeing.
- Marrakech to Merzouga: about 9 hours of driving, split over 2 days out
- Fes to Merzouga: about 8 hours of driving
- Marrakech to Zagora: about 7 hours, the 2-day option
Approximate driving times, without stops.
Your Night in a Desert Camp
You reach camp by camel at sunset, eat dinner in the dunes and wake up to watch the sun rise over the sand. Most camps sit a camel ride from the village, far enough that you see only dunes and stars.
What the camps are like
Camps in Erg Chebbi range from simple tents with shared bathrooms to luxury tents, which usually have private bathrooms and proper beds. Dinner is usually a tagine, followed by drums around the fire. We send you the options for your dates with your quote, including the exact camp and tent category.
What to bring
Pack a small overnight bag: your main luggage stays in the vehicle. Bring warm layers, since desert nights are cold from November to March, a scarf against sun and wind, sunscreen, and a flashlight or phone light for the walk to your tent.
Best time for a desert tour
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable. Winter days are sunny and mild but nights can drop close to freezing; in July and August the midday heat is intense, so we time the camel rides for early morning and evening.
Sahara Desert Tour Questions
Something else on your mind? Send us your question and a real person on our team in Merzouga answers.
How many days do you need for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?
At least 3 days to reach Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes and come back, or 2 days for the smaller dunes near Zagora. Four days makes the Merzouga trip comfortable, with no single long day.
What is the best desert trip in Morocco for a first visit?
A night in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, reached over the High Atlas via Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley. It combines the tallest dunes with the kasbah valleys on the way.
Can we start in Marrakech and end the desert tour in Fes?
Yes, and it avoids driving back the same way. Merzouga to Fes is about 8 hours through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas.
Is the camel ride suitable for children and older travelers?
The camels walk slowly, led by a camel handler, and the ride suits most people. If anyone would rather not ride, most camps can also be reached by 4×4; tell us and we plan it.
Are Sahara desert tours in Morocco safe?
Yes. Merzouga is a small, welcoming village where our office has been since 2016, and your driver stays with you throughout. Check the current US State Department advisory for Morocco before you book.
When is the best time for a Morocco desert tour?
March to May and September to November. Winter is fine if you pack warm layers for the nights; summer is very hot by day.
Sleep Under the Sahara Stars.
Tell us where you start and how many days you have. Our team in Merzouga replies within 24 hours with a private desert trip and a price.