The overnight Sahara desert experience should be on everyone’s travelling to Morocco bucket list. However, in Morocco, there are so many desert tour operators, how to choose the right one? Especially when almost everyone is offering a very similar programme, only the prices vary. It took me a long time to find the best 2 days Sahara desert tour operator from Marrakech. I tried the tour myself, and I sent my friends and many travellers. They were all happy!
2 days shared SAHARA DESERT tour from Marrakech to Zagora itinerary:
You can book the Sahara desert tour from Marrakech every day except Sunday (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday).
1st day, Marrakech-Ouarzazate-Zagora desert
(7h driving)
You will start your shared 2 days tour to the desert around 7 am from Marrakech. During our drive through the High Atlas mountains, we crossed Tizi n’Tichka (2260m), the highest road mountain in Morocco. The twisty mountains road is breathtaking; on the way, you will stop for pictures and a coffee break.
The first stop is at the UNESCO World Heritage site listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, which dates to the 12th century and is one of the most iconic Morocco monuments. Many Hollywood and international films were shot in Ait Ben Haddou. There you will meet the local English-speaking guide, who will guide you to the kasbah. After, you will stop at the Draa Valley where stands the beautiful Ksour and Kasbah
Before sunset, you will reach the Zagora desert. Time to enjoy your 1-hour sunset ride to the desert campsite. There, you will have a delicious Berber dinner and live music.
2nd day, Zagora desert – Marrakech (7h driving)
Your second day will start with a delicious Berber breakfast. Riding a camelback, you will meet the beautiful sunrise. Time to head back to Marrakech! It will be a long drive, with many stops; you will return to Marrakech in the evening, around 7 pm.
3 OR 2 DAYS SAHARA DESERT TOUR?
I receive many questions regarding which tour to Sahara desert of Morocco to choose – 3 or 2 days? If you have enough time in Morocco (at least 7 days), go for the 3 days Sahara desert tour (can book through this link).
You will not only experience the unforgettable Sahara desert scenery but also will see many other beautiful places. From the breathtaking High Atlas mountains scenery, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, Valley of Roses, Dades Valley, Tighir oasis, Todgha gorges and, of course, the stunning Sahara desert in Merzouga. There lays the large sea of dunes called Erg Chebbi. In some places, the dunes of Erg Chebbi reach up to 150 meters high and are twenty-two kilometres long, five kilometres wide.
WHEN TO BOOK THE 2 DAYS SAHARA TOUR?
The 2 days tour is for the ones who don’t have much time in Morocco but still want to experience the Sahara desert. This tour will bring you to the closer Zagora desert, which is not as beautiful as Merzouga. However, you will also experience the breathtaking High Atlas mountains scenery, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, camel ride and the memorable night at the desert nomads’ camp.
PRICE
2 days shared desert trip from Marrakech to Zagora price – 95 eur.
You can book this trip every day except Sunday (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday).
Included:
- Dinner at the desert camp
- Breakfast
- Night in the nomadic tents in the dunes of Zagora
- Camel ride at sunset and sunrise
- Local taxes
- Transportation
Not included: 2 lunch, drinks, tips and guide at Ait Ben Haddou
If you have additional questions about this tour or would like to book it, please get in touch with me rasa@blondieinmorocco.com or Whatsapp number: +212695274252
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Almost all tours in Morocco, where lunch is not included, will drive you to more expensive (comparing to other local places) restaurants, around 10-12 € for lunch. If are travelling on the low budget, bring your own lunch. It is not an obligatory to eat at the place where the driver stopped.
- During the tour, you will stop in some local carpet waving places. There, you will be welcomed by the Moroccan tea and friendly Berbers. There is no pressure to buy something, the tour organisers only try to help local people to earn some money. Don’t feel bad not buying anything, but if you buy, will support local families.
- If you are going to the desert tour in the winter season, take enough warm clothes. Even though it can be sunny and warm in the day, at night the temperature can drop even till +2 C degrees. Woollen socks, hat, warm jacket and gloves are musts (December, January, February).
- To protect yourself from the sandy desert winds, bring some bigger scarf. Or, when you stop at the local shops, buy the traditional Berber nomad turban/scarf. In the desert, ask your camel guides to wrap it as they do it.
- If you are travelling with luggage, you can always leave it in your hotel; maybe they would not mind to hold it for you till you back. Or, you can always take and store your luggage on the tour bus (only if it is not a 30 kg big luggage).
- In Zagora, you will leave your luggage on the tour bus. You will only take the necessary things for the night in the desert. It is not comfortable to ride a camel with luggage, so if you have a small backpack, would be great!
- If you are vegetarian, please inform the driver and double-check in the desert camp if they didn’t forget to cook you a delicious vegetarian meal.