Spending a night under the star-studded sky of the Saharan desert is an amazing experience and something that I've been lucky enough to do. If you’re not hiring a car and exploring the country on a self-drive itinerary, then the best way to the desert is on a guided tour. Not only is this the most convenient and timesaving 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, ranging from just a couple of nights to over a week. You can find budget-friendly, small-group experiences, as well as private tours including a night at a luxury desert camp. And for those with a really tight budget or who only have one night up their sleeve, there is another option available - spending a night in the desert near Zagora.
In this article, I’ll detail 5 of the best 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.
To learn more about things to see and do in the "Red City", check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Marrakech.
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Best budget 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 (plus a Badge of Excellence), 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 and 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, passing picturesque Amazigh villages and crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass - the highest road pass in North Africa. Your first stop is remarkable 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 the 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 before arriving in the Sahara gateway town of Merzouga. From here, you’ll embark on an unforgettable camel safari, riding the "ships of the desert" 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 before making the drive north to the ancient city of Fes 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)
Best tours to the Sahara from Marrakech
Best luxury tour to the Sahara 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 the 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 and the company has also 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)
Best Morocco Sahara tours from Marrakech
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 and it’s 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, with the latter offering far more international connections. As this is a private Sahara tour from Marrakech, you’ll be able to go 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 before spending 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) before arriving in Merzouga in time for a sunset camel trek to your luxury desert camp.
After an unforgettable night under the stars, you’ll 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 before flying out from either Casablanca or Marrakech.
"An extraordinary experience, about culture, history and life in Morocco.” (read more reviews here)
Best tours to the Sahara from Marrakech
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 before spending 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 the ancient medina of Fes. You’ll have a full day here before journeying through the alpine landscapes surrounding Ifrane to Merzouga where 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, with 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)
Best desert tours 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) but 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 and 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)
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About the author
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 majestic landscapes, storied cities and the incredibly warm hospitality of its people. As the owner and content creator of Malika in Morocco, I share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. I am passionate about helping others plan their Moroccan travel adventures to ensure they get the most out of their North African experience.