Marrakech Desert Tour: Merzouga or Zagora and How Many Days?

A Marrakech desert tour is the highlight of most trips to Morocco. In a few days you cross the High Atlas, visit kasbahs and palm oases, ride a camel into the dunes and sleep under a sky full of stars. The two big questions are always the same: Merzouga or Zagora, and how many days do you need?

Merzouga or Zagora?

Zagora is closer, so it suits travellers with very little time. Nevertheless, if you dream of big orange dunes like in the photos, Merzouga is the place. That is why most of our travellers choose Merzouga, and we think it is worth the extra day.

How many days for a desert tour from Marrakech?

3 days: the most popular choice

The 3 days from Marrakech to Merzouga tour crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visits Aït Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley, and includes a camel trek and a night in a desert camp. You can also end in Fes with the 3 days from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga route.

4 or 5 days: a relaxed pace

With more time, the driving days are shorter and you can stop in the Todra Gorge, Skoura and the Valley of Roses. Look at the 4 days from Marrakech to the Sahara or the 5-day desert tour.

8 days or more: the grand loop

For a complete journey through the south, the 8 days from Marrakech to the Sahara adds remote oases and more nights in the dunes.

The route from Marrakech to the Sahara

1. High Atlas: the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m, with Berber villages along the road.
2. Aït Ben Haddou: the UNESCO-listed ksar used in many films.
3. Ouarzazate and Skoura: the gateway to the desert and its palm grove.
4. Dades Valley and Todra Gorge: rock formations and 300-metre canyon walls.
5. Merzouga: camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset.

A night in a Sahara camp

After the camel ride, you arrive at the camp for dinner, drums around the fire and a sky full of stars. Our camps range from standard tents to luxury tents with private bathrooms. Learn more about a night in the Sahara Desert, or add a quad bike ride in Merzouga for extra adventure.

Shared or private desert tour?

Shared tours are cheaper, but the minibus follows a fixed timetable. A private 4×4 tour, on the other hand, gives you your own driver, flexible stops for photos and better camps. For couples, families and small groups it is usually the best value. See all our Sahara desert tours.

What to pack

• A warm layer for the night, even in spring and autumn.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf for the wind and sand.
• A small backpack: big suitcases stay in the vehicle.
• Some cash in dirhams for lunches and tips.

Not sure which month suits you? Read our guide to the best time to visit Morocco. Then contact us and we will plan your Marrakech desert tour.