The international fame of the Moroccan desert has made it the top destination in the country for being the easiest way to experience the Saharan Desert without weeks of travelling. The Moroccan desert is actually the Greater Sahara, sitting on the border of the Western Sahara and Algeria. It has become a luxurious destination in Morocco known for being the ultimate luxury desert camping experience from Marrakesh.
A city to desert experience shows you two different worlds; you can go from the chaos of life in a densely populated, built-up area to nothing but sand in just one day if you wish. Along the way, you strike a balance as you dip into historic trading routes that connect Africa, Asia and Europe in a way that you will not have seen before, and tap into Moroccan cultures in their different forms.
The journey becomes an attraction in itself, as you witness the impressive extent of Morocco’s landscapes, travelling from mud-brick cities to arid mountains and desert plains in a matter of hours.
A desert tour in Morocco has a few different routes, allowing you to connect with many cities depending on your chosen starting place. To learn more, read on to find a breakdown of your Moroccan desert tour;
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Highlights of Your Morocco Desert Tour
There are various ways you can go to the desert. You can discuss these ways with one of our Local Designers on the ground; they can help you design your next trip. These are some of the most important places to visit on your desert tour;
Marrakesh Sahara Tour
Endless red-mud brick alleys, seemingly organised chaos and delicious food around every corner; this characterises Marrakesh perfectly.
The second-largest city in Morocco, if you are exploring without a guide in Marrakesh, you can expect to get lost. However, this is all part of the fun of the city and should be embraced as you explore the souks of the Medina. A feast for the senses, Marrakesh is a 24-hour city filled with fine fabrics, food, furniture and entertainment, all within a metre of each other!
In Marrakesh, desert tours are always at hand, however, for the best price and quality, it’s best to stick with our Local Designers for an honest price. Known as the gateway to the country, tours from city to city including the Sahara such as this 3-day desert tour from Marrakesh to Fes or 3-day tour from Marrakesh to Merzouga, are some of the best ways to see the country quickly.
Fes
Home to the world’s largest medina, Fes is dense to say the least. With over 9,000 alleys, the city is an open-air museum with the history oozing through the sandstone cracks. The ancient part of Fes, Fes El-Bali is a must-see on a Fes to Marrakesh desert tour or vice versa.
Famous for its tanneries and for being home to the oldest university in the world, Fes’ crammed network of streets are packed to the brim with artistic and cultural insights that have rightfully earned the title of best-preserved city in the Arab World.
An essential stop on your trip, this 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakesh or this 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakesh guides you between two of Morocco’s top cities on a cultural and historical adventure.
Ouarzazate
Marking the halfway point of your Marrakesh-Sahara tour, Ouarzazate is often referred to as the front door of the desert.
With a fascinating history of being at the centre of Morocco’s trading routes, Ouarzazate has an arid, sand landscape that acts as a dramatic backdrop for kasbahs and caravans that tell centuries-old tales of the leaders of the landscape.
After the French left in the 1950s, the town’s curious layout was quickly discovered by international film-makers, taking advantage of a set that has already been created. Ouarzazate is home to some impressive accommodation that is inspired by its earthen clay surroundings, as you will see in this Marrakesh Sahara Desert tour.
At the heart of Ouarzazate is the kasbah in Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient ighrem that served as a fortified village on the Sahara-Marrakesh trading route. Today, the ighrem is more commonly known as the backdrop to some scenes from the TV series, Game of Thrones and as being one of the best-preserved examples of earthen clay architecture, as claimed by UNESCO.
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Merzouga
Merzouga is a village that sits on the edge of the Greater Sahara; a sea of sand dunes that stretch to the border of Algeria. The village acts as your starting point for Marrakesh Sahara Desert tours including camel rides, sand boarding, quad biking and 4WD adventures to discover the beauty of the dunes.
Sitting on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, the Merzouga Desert is your chance to stay in the Sahara. Ever since the road was paved from the Mid-Atlas Mountains to Merzouga, great convoys of four-wheel drives (4WD) and buses have flocked to Merzouga for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a sunset camel ride to a glamping tent location.
Zagora
While the Zagora Desert may not be as spectacular as Merzouga, it is highly recommended for those that still want to have a desert experience but don’t have as much time. Zagora is a small village sandwiched by desert plains of the Sahara and mountains of the Draa Valley; it’s most famous for its sign to Timbuktu.
Zagora is surrounded by an arid desert landscape that does not quite match the dunes of Merzouga; however, the small crowds do offer a chance to get in touch with Berber culture. The luxury tents close to Marrakesh are next to a camel caravan. You’ll learn about life in the Draa Valley, surrounded by kasbahs that once welcomed traders from West Africa and the Arab World.
What You Need to Know about Sahara Trips in Morocco
Best Time of Year to Go from Marrakesh to the Sahara
For the best Marrakesh desert tour, you should go either between March and May or September and October, as this is the shoulder season for most Europeans travelling, so there will be less crowds.
The desert will not be so hot in the spring and autumn months (18-28 degrees celsius). With moderate temperatures, you can enjoy all of the activities that you will encounter on your trip from Marrakesh to the desert. However, do be prepared for cooler temperatures at night, the desert can and does get cold under the stars.
Split Your Time: Stay in Ouarzazate
An important fact that is often overlooked is that the desert is far from Marrakesh – really far! If you wish to have a desert experience with little time, like in this Marrakesh desert tour in 2 days, then you must be prepared to spend long days in the car.
If you have more time, you can split up your time by staying in Ouarzazate, a stunning and unique desert town that will give you a welcome respite from the long days in the car.
For longer trips, a Marrakesh to Fes tour and perhaps even further to cities like Chefchaouen and Rabat, like in this 13-day grand Morocco tour will give you time to gain a better understanding of Morocco with less time in the car!
Accommodation in the Desert
In Merzouga and Zagora, there are dream-like glamping desert tents that offer traditional Berber accommodation with a little added luxury. Most glamping tents feature queen-size beds with carpeted interiors and day beds for lounging.
The glamping facilities include fully-fitted bathrooms and even air-conditioning for the summer months. The whole atmosphere is incredibly romantic and a true highlight of your desert tour from Marrakesh, topped by dining under the stars to live music.
If glamping is not quite within your budget, many riads within Merzouga town are stunningly decorated with a Moroccan feel and come at a very reasonable price.
Everything You Need to Know about Camel Riding
Whether you choose your camel ride from Marrakesh in Zagora or Merzouga, one thing is very important to know; camels are not comfortable!
When on a camel ride in the desert, you’ll have a small seat that is strapped to the camel like a horse, however, the two animals are in no way similar – neither is the riding experience!
A few things you could know about camels before getting on one:
- Camels are large, so getting onto the camel can prove to be difficult
- Camels stand up quickly, taking you with them – hold on tight!
- Camels walk by moving both feet on the left then both on the right; it’s a bit wobbly
- As you are high up, you will feel like you are slipping; however, you are safe
- Expect sore muscles the day after.
What to Pack for a City to Desert Tour
You are one step closer to your Marrakesh desert tour, so it’s time to start thinking about packing!
As Morocco is an Islam country; women are expected to wear modest clothing. Ladies, while it is entirely your choice, it is advised that you cover your shoulders and knees to avoid any unwanted attention. Conservatism aside, it’s best to prepare for all eventualities, without going overboard, so here are some suggestions:
- Choose linen and long sleeves as a lightweight sand-proof option
- Sun cream for hot days
- Comfortable walking shoes for the dunes
- Waterproofs and a jumper for any unexpected weather
- A scarf for sand dune wind protection
- Strong zip bag for the city
Want to Create Your Own City to Desert Tour?
To get the ball rolling for your Marrakesh Sahara Desert tour, connect with one of our Local Designers in Morocco who are ready and waiting on the sand to make your Moroccan desert experience a reality.
To start talking with one of our Local Designers, browse our range of fully-customisable Morocco trips to see what is on offer. If you have something else in mind, click through to ‘Design your own Trip’ and watch our Local Designers create your trip from scratch!
