5 Unforgettable Tours to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech
Looking for the best tours to the Sahara from Marrakech? Explore this curated collection of multi-day Moroccan desert trips, including budget-friendly small group adventures and private desert tours in Morocco.
Spending a night under the star-studded sky of the Saharan desert is an amazing experience. It’s something that I’ve been lucky enough to do.
The scenery is spectacular (rolling sand dunes as far as the eye can see) and the experience of spending a night in a desert camp is culturally illuminating.
If you’re not hiring a car and exploring the country on a self-drive itinerary, then the best way to visit the Sahara Desert from Marrakech is on a guided tour. Not only is this the most convenient way of accessing the Sahara but you’ll gain a wealth of cultural knowledge from your guides along the way.
Thankfully, there are lots of incredible tours to the Sahara from Marrakech. These range in duration from just a couple of nights to over a week.
You can find budget-friendly, small-group experiences, as well as private Sahara Desert tours that can be customised to your interests.
To help you plan, I’ve curated this list of the best desert tours to the Sahara from Marrakech, whether you’re looking for a short adventure from the “Red City” or want to experience as much of Morocco as possible.
Travelling from Fes? Check out this list of the best tours to the Sahara from Fes.
To learn more about things to see and do in the “Red City”, check out my Essential Travel Guide to Marrakech.
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3-day desert trip from Marrakech to Fes
Best budget desert tour to the Sahara from Marrakech
This 3-day transfer-and-tour combo from Marrakech to Fes allows you to experience the stunning diversity of Morocco’s landscapes and cultural highlights in one comprehensive journey.
And with more than 4,000 five-star reviews on Viator, it’s definitely one of the best tours to the Sahara from Marrakech.
Limited to just 15 people, this small-group Moroccan desert tour is also highly affordable. In all likelihood, you’ll meet people from all over the globe!
After being picked up from your hotel in Marrakech, you’ll climb through the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, pass through picturesque Amazigh villages and cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass – the highest road pass in North Africa.
Your first stop is Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified city that has served as the backdrop for countless Hollywood films. As you continue eastward, you’ll explore the beautiful Valley of Roses before overnighting at a traditional guesthouse.
The following day, there’ll be time to explore the dramatic Todra Gorge with its towering, ochre-coloured cliffs. Later in the day, you’ll arrive in the Sahara gateway town of Merzouga.
From here, you’ll embark on an unforgettable camel safari at sunset to spend a night under the stars at a traditional desert camp.
After experiencing the nomadic way of life, wake early for an incredible sunrise. Then, make the drive north to the ancient city of Fes. This is where this 3-day Moroccan Sahara desert tour comes to an end.
“This was an incredible and very unique experience. You get to see and do so much that you might not normally do on your own, and the guides are all very high energy.” – Bernardo (read more reviews here)
4-day desert trip from Marrakech
Best luxury tour to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech
If you have an extra day up your sleeve, I highly recommend this 4-day small group desert tour to the Sahara, which begins and ends in Marrakech. It largely follows the itinerary above for the first two nights, with the inclusion of a visit to Kasbah Ameridil in the oasis town of Skoura. The palmeraie here is sublime with wonderful birdwatching.
After a night in the Valley of Roses and another at an Erg Chebbi desert camp, you’ll make your way back to Marrakech via Agdz and the Route of 1000 Kasbahs. This is a spectacular but little-visited part of Morocco that takes in the beautiful Draa Valley.
Along the way, you’ll discover crumbling kasbahs and atmospheric towns that don’t receive a lot of visitors. The extra time also allows you to visit the Atlas Film Studio in Ouarzazate to discover Morocco’s movie-making history.
The fact that this 4-day desert trip from Marrakech consistently receives five-star reviews says a lot. Additionally, the company has received the Viator Badge of Excellence.
While it’s a little more expensive than the 3-day tour listed above, the level of accommodation is more high-end with guests commenting on the luxuriousness of the desert camp. If you’re only going to experience the Sahara once, you may as well do it in style!
“An experience way deeper than expected.” – Blanka (read more reviews here)
8-day private tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert
Best week-long Morocco tour including the Sahara
If you have a little over a week in Morocco and want to pack as much in as possible (including a visit to the Sahara), then this 8-day desert tour from Marrakech ticks all the right boxes.
Zak and the team always receive incredible reviews for the experience they offer. It seems like this is a tour that’s about much more than just ticking off sights. If you want to experience the true Morocco with some of the best guides in the country, then this is the Morocco Sahara tour for you!
It includes pick-up/drop-off from either Marrakech Menara Airport or Casablanca Mohammed V Airport. The latter offers far more international connections.
As this is a private Sahara tour from Marrakech, you’ll be able to explore at your own pace and customise the stops to suit your interests. It’s definitely one of the best Morocco Sahara tours for families or groups.
After a full day in Marrakech to discover its cultural and historical sights, you’ll journey over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou. Stop in Ouarzazate to learn about its Hollywood film heritage. Then, spend the night amidst the stunning natural scenery of Dades Gorge.
The following day, you’ll have time to explore the neighbouring Todra Gorge, which is no less impressive. Later in the day, you’ll arrive in Merzouga in time for a sunset camel trek to your luxury desert camp.
After an unforgettable night under the stars, head north through the palm-studded Ziz Gorge en route to the Swiss-inspired town of Ifrane. The surrounding cedar forests are home to a troupe of Barbary macaques, an endangered primate native to the Atlas Mountains.
End the day in the ancient city of Fes, home to one of the world’s oldest universities and legendary tanneries. You’ll have a full day to explore here before continuing to Casablanca to witness the monumental Hassan II Mosque.
At the end of the tour, you can fly out from either Casablanca or Marrakech.
“An extraordinary experience, about culture, history and life in Morocco.” (read more reviews here)
10-day Morocco tour including Sahara Desert + Imperial Cities
Best tour from Marrakech to the Sahara and Chefchaouen
This 10-day private Morocco tour can begin and end in one of several cities, including Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier and Fes. It covers a lot of the same ground as the 8-day itinerary above, with the inclusion of several towns and attractions in Morocco’s north.
Again, this is a private tour, so the itinerary can be tailored to your interests, with a good balance between guided experiences and free time to explore. And the reviews speak for themselves – it’s five-star praise all the way!
Beginning in the country’s north, you’ll explore the laid-back Moroccan capital, Rabat, with its atmospheric kasbah. Then, spend a night in the blue-hued town of Chefchaouen. It’s a photographer’s dream!
Then continue to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the Imperial city of Meknes before overnighting in ancient Fes. You’ll have a full day here before journeying through the alpine landscapes surrounding Ifrane to Merzouga. Here, you’ll spend the night in a hotel overlooking the dunes.
What really sets this Moroccan Sahara desert tour apart is that you get to spend a full day around Merzouga. There’s the option to go on a camel trek, participate in a cooking class and visit some of the local villages.
This is in contrast to many of the other tours to the Sahara from Marrakech, which arrive in the afternoon one day and leave the next morning. You’ll also get to spend a night at a luxury desert camp for the ultimate stargazing experience.
The return journey to Marrakech takes you through the spellbinding gorges of Dades and Todra, as well as including a stop in Ait Benhaddou.
As you can see, this Moroccan Sahara tour covers a LOT of ground, without ever feeling rushed. And with all of the logistics taken care of for you by incredible guides, you just have to wake up each day and embrace it!
“The perfect all round tour to see the major sights of Morocco.” – Alexander (read more reviews here)
2-day Zagora Desert tour from Marrakech
Best 2-day desert tour from Marrakech
If you only have one night and want a desert experience in Morocco, then this 2-day tour from Marrakech to Zagora is ideal. It’s important to be aware that this trip doesn’t take you to Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga (the two main dune systems in Morocco).
Instead, it visits a beautiful desert landscape on the outskirts of Zagora. Rather than the rolling dunes you can expect around Merzouga and M’Hamid, the landscape here is rockier but no less atmospheric.
As with many of the other Sahara Desert tours from Marrakech in this list, this two-day experience begins with a drive over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. It includes a visit to the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou before a stop in the “Hollywood of Morocco”, Ouarzazate.
Rather than continuing on to Merzouga, this trip heads into the Draa Valley and the town of Zagora.
It’s here that you’ll spend the night in a traditional nomadic camp, with the option to upgrade from basic to luxury if you desire. The experience includes a sunset camel ride and lots of fun around the campfire at night with the other members of your small-group tour.
It’s a great option if you want a taste of the Moroccan desert experience but you’re short on time (and maybe on a tight budget). Just keep in mind that the driving days are LONG to get to Zagora and back!
“This was the best tour I have ever taken, period. Please immediately book this tour to have the time of your life!!!” (read more reviews)
FAQs about visiting the Sahara Desert from Marrakech
Is the Sahara Desert worth visiting?
Absolutely! The Sahara Desert is an incredible destination. Spending a night under the stars here is definitely a must-do experience in Morocco. Not only does it give you the opportunity to ride a camel through the undulating dunes but witness magnificent sunrises and sunsets that illuminate the sands.
One of the highlights of spending a night in the Sahara Desert is immersing yourself in nomadic culture, whether it’s feasting on a tagine or enjoying music around the campfire.
Should you visit the Sahara from Marrakech or Fes?
Both Marrakech and Fes can be used as departure points for visiting the Sahara Desert. You can even transit from one city to the other via the desert! Generally speaking, Marrakech has a greater choice of tour operators, which can lead to slightly cheaper prices due to the competition.
That being said, Fes is closer to Merzouga (it’s around 460 kilometres away vs 560 kilometres from Marrakech). So your travel time to the Sahara will be shorter. No matter which Moroccan city you depart from, it’s best to opt for at least a three day/two night tour, as any less than that can feel rushed.
When is the best time to visit the Sahara Desert?
The ideal time to visit the Sahara Desert is outside of the summer months when the heat can be extreme. From June to September, it’s common for temperatures in the desert to rise above 40°C (104°F). This can make outdoor activities less than pleasant.
The winter months from November to February are usually pleasant during the day, with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F). But it can become quite cold at night (nearly freezing). So don’t forget to pack plenty of warm layers!
The transitional months of March to May and October/November provide a nice balance, with moderately warm days and less chilly nights.
Can you visit the Sahara Desert from Marrakech?
Yes, Marrakech is a well-known departure point for visiting the Sahara Desert, alongside Fes in the northern part of Morocco. Numerous local tour operators provide Sahara Desert tours departing Marrakech, most of which take at least two days and one night.
Travelling to the Sahara from Marrakech does involve a long drive or bus journey (over 9 hours). This is why three day and four day tours are increasingly popular. These Sahara tours break up the trip with a stop in Dades or Todra Gorges, both of which are spectacular in their own right.
Is it safe to visit the Sahara?
Although there have been past border disputes with Algeria that impacted the region, the Sahara is now (generally speaking) a safe place to visit. It’s an increasingly popular destination for tourists to explore, although it’s highly recommended you do so on a guided tour.
I recommend opting for a reputable Sahara tour company that employs experienced local guides and has established safety measures. This will greatly minimise the chances of encountering any problems during your journey.
The extreme summer heat and the limited availability of medical services in the area should be taken into consideration before embarking on a Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech. Always stay well hydrated and seek shelter if a sand storm occurs.
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About Me
I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.
Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.
I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.
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