More about: 6 Best Day Trips to Marrakech Desert
Desert excursions are one of the essential things to do in Marrakech. The dream of the most intrepid travellers is to explore the desert. If you want to feel like Lawrence of Arabia, check out the best one-, two- or three-day tours.
1. Excursion with dinner in the Agafay Desert
This excursion from Marrakech will take you to the nearby Agafay Desert, located about 30 kilometres from the Red City. Forget the typical image of sand dunes: this natural landscape is characterised by arid terrain covered with stones and pebbles and with hardly any vegetation.
The tour leaves Marrakech in the afternoon (usually around 3 or 4 pm) and, after an hour by bus or 4x4, you will arrive at your destination. There you will be welcomed by Berbers with a typical mint tea. At the end of the day, you can choose between two options: a camel ride at sunset or, if you prefer, you can stay at the camp to watch the sunset and, later, the stars.
You will also enjoy a traditional dinner with typical regional recipes such as zaalouk (a delicious aubergine salad), vegetable couscous, harira (a hearty soup made with vegetables and lamb or beef), meshwi (roast lamb) and chicken tagine. The bonfire, clear sky and fire-eaters add a unique touch to this experience.
You also have the option of a shorter trip if you choose dinner in the Marrakech desert with transport, in which case the total duration is 3 hours.
Useful information
- Approximate price: — from £40
- Duration: 6 hours
- Recommended for: those who are short on time and don't want to miss out on an experience in the Marrakech desert.
- More info: Excursions to the Agafay Desert from Marrakech
2. 2-day, 1-night excursion to the Zagora Desert
The town of Zagora is located about 360 km from Marrakech and is very popular with tourists who have limited time. In fact, two days and one night are enough to visit it, while other destinations require at least one more night.
To get to Zagora, you will have to wake up early because, unfortunately, the roads in the country are not in very good condition. Normally, the excursion to the Zagora desert leaves the Red City at 8:00 am and, after passing the Tichka Pass, goes through the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley, a green oasis carved out by the river of the same name.
Once you arrive, you can choose from a range of activities: camel rides at sunset, quad or 4x4 tours, sleeping in a tent to watch the stars, etc. In Zagora, the landscape is arid and rocky, but there is a spot where a few sand dunes are concentrated: these are the Tinfou dunes, a miniature version of the more traditional Sahara.
Useful information
- Approximate price: — from £72
- Duration: two days and one night
- Recommended for: those who want to spend a night in the desert without sacrificing comfort
- More info: Excursions to the Zagora Desert in Morocco.
3. 3-day excursion to the Merzouga Desert
The 2-night, 3-day excursion to the Merzouga Desert starts in Marrakech early in the morning. The minibus or 4x4 will take you through the High Atlas Mountains and, after crossing valleys and Berber villages, continue on to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou and nearby Ouarzazate, the Gateway to the Sahara.
After a typical lunch, the driver will take you to Boumalne Dades, a town of 2,000 inhabitants. This is where the Imazighen, the descendants of the original settlers of North Africa, live. The first day ends in Tinghir and, after a well-deserved rest, the tour starts again the next morning.
After an invigorating breakfast, the tour reaches the Todra Gorges, a rock corridor reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in the United States. These mountains are the result of centuries of erosion; the Todra River has shaped the cliffs to give us this striking view. In the afternoon, after a stop for lunch, the bus or 4x4 reaches the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
In this fairytale landscape, you can end the day with an unmissable activity: a camel ride at sunset. As night falls, the Berbers prepare a traditional meal and, once finished, you can gaze at the wonderful starry sky before falling into the arms of Morpheus.
On the third and final day, the tour takes the road back to Marrakech and stops at the aforementioned Ouarzazate. Before returning to the Red City, you will have the opportunity to admire the Kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultoute.
Useful information
- Approximate price: — from £81
- Duration: three days and two nights
- Recommended: for those who want to see the most traditional desert
- More info: Excursions to the Merzouga desert in Morocco.
4. Quad bike tour through the palm grove
To get a taste of the desert experience, you don't have to stray too far from Marrakech. The Red City's palm grove is an arid landscape dotted with palm trees, olive trees and fruit trees. This natural area borders one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Marrakech. Even so, it has retained much of its charm and is criss-crossed by countless unpaved tracks.
Quad bike tours of the Palmeraie usually last between an hour and a half and two hours (not including travel by bus or minivan) and take in the Palmeraie, a few villages and the nearby rock desert. If you like the adrenaline rush of speed, this is the activity for you. The route usually includes a stop at an oasis with palm trees and a second break at a Berber house where you will be offered mint tea and a typical dessert.
Please note that the vehicle can only be driven by two people, who can of course take turns at the wheel. To ensure your safety, each tour provides a helmet with a visor, a raincoat to protect you from the dust and gloves. The minimum age for driving a quad bike is 16, and no driving licence is required.
Useful information
- Approximate price: — from 81
- Duration: 2 hours
- Recommended: for speed lovers
5. Dune buggy safari tour through El Palmeral
Another way to explore the Palmeral is by buggy, a sports vehicle with a unique history. If you fancy feeling the adrenaline rush of speed and the wind in your face, this is the perfect excursion for you.
The tour starts at your hotel or riad: a 4x4 or minibus will take you to the Palmeral where you will meet your guide. This experienced driver will teach you the tricks of the trade and control the speed of the group to ensure the safety of all participants. The excursion takes you along the arid tracks of the Palmeraie, surrounded by jbilets, a fascinating volcanic landscape. Here too, the tour ends with a delicious mint tea.
Useful information
- Approximate price: £60
- Duration: approximately one hour
- Recommended for: anyone who wants to feel like Bud Spencer and Terence Hill in "Watch out, we're mad!"
6. 3-day desert tour with arrival in Fez
In this case, the first two days can also be combined with the previous excursion. Everything changes on the third day when, after a stop in the Merzouga desert, the bus takes the road that runs along the Ziz River.
Along the way, you will see green oases and a few castles. Before arriving in Fez, the vehicle stops in Midelt, a small village in the middle of the Atlas Mountains where you will have lunch before continuing on to Morocco's third largest city. You will arrive at your destination in the afternoon/evening and the bus will drop you off at your hotel or riad.
The organised tour ends here, but the next day you will have the opportunity to explore Fez from top to bottom. A 9th-century Moorish city, Fez is best known for the Madrasa Bou Inania (a Koranic school open to non-Muslims) and the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), the monumental entrance to the medina.
Another thing not to be missed are the many tanneries that continue to work the material using traditional techniques. Of course, no visit would be complete without a little shopping. There are three main souks in Fez: Chemmaine (a paradise for lovers of dried fruit), Henna (with cosmetic products) and Attarine (where you can buy spices and natural products).
Useful information
- Approximate price: from £200
- Duration: three days and two nights
- Recommended for those who want to combine a desert excursion with a visit to an important Moroccan city
What are the advantages of taking an excursion vs visiting the desert on my own?
The desert is an extreme place and only the most seasoned and experienced travellers can explore it on their own. The warm daytime temperatures drop sharply at night and if you don't have the right equipment, you will be very cold. In addition, if you were to have an accident with your vehicle, communicating your exact location and rescuing your 4x4 would be very difficult. Travelling through the desert is no joke and it is highly recommended to trust the experience of the locals.
When is the best time to go on a desert excursion?
In general, it is preferable to travel through the Sahara during the winter. Between November and February, the climate is more pleasant, while during the rest of the year, temperatures can easily reach 55º. If you are travelling in the warmer months and don't want to miss out on a route through the dunes, I recommend a night-time camel ride. This way, you will avoid melting in the middle of the day. For more information, check out the article Marrakech in winter.
What to take on a trip to the Sahara Desert?
First of all, you should put a bottle of bottled water in your backpack. In Morocco, it is best to avoid tap water as it may be contaminated and cause stomach upsets. To counteract the scorching temperatures during the day, I recommend wearing light-coloured clothing. If your trip includes an overnight stop, don't forget to pack a coat. As for footwear, it's best to opt for comfortable, closed-toe shoes that provide good ankle support.
Another essential item for your backpack is snacks. Take some advice from the experts: Paris-Dakar drivers usually carry jelly beans, nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds) and slow-release energy bars. Ready to go?