Morocco Desert Tours
Morocco Desert Tours include the Erg Chebbi dunes (Merzouga) or the Erg Chigaga dunes (Mhamid). Camel trekking is optional although most clients include a camel trek – either a sunset ride or a trek to sleep under the stars in a nomad-tented camp. However, you do not need to ride a camel to enjoy the magic of a sunset or sunrise across a desert landscape.
4x4 Desert Tours in Morocco run from Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Fez to Marrakech, Marrakech to Fez and elsewhere on request.
Quick Links for Desert Tours and Sahara Excursions
- Desert Tours to Erg Chebbi at Merzouga
- Sahara Trips to Erg Chigaga at Mhamid
- Highlights along the Desert Route
- Marrakech Desert Tours – 3 days, 4 days or 5 days
- Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours - 3 days, 4 days or 5 days
- Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours - 3 days, 4 days or 5 days
- Camel Trekking in Morocco
Morocco Desert Tours to Erg Chebbi via Merzouga
There is a paved road across the hammada (black desert) from Rissani to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Along the East side of the dunes, 22km long by 5km wide x 250m high, are over 70 hotels offering swimming pools and ensuite rooms.
Desert tours to the Erg Chebbi include:
- Hotel at the dune line with no camel trek
- Erg Chebbi camel trek to deep desert camp
- Sunset camel ride to luxury desert camp
- Camel treks for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days and more
Morocco Desert Trips to Erg Chigaga via Mhamid
The paved road ends at Mhamid and the Erg Chigaga dunes can only be reached in a 4x4 vehicle or by camel. This desert region is home to Ait Atta Berber nomads and the building of hotels is prohibited to protect the environment and preserve the local culture. Accommodation is in desert camps with shared facilities.
Desert tours to the Erg Chigaga include:
- Sunset Erg Chigaga camel trek and overnight in desert camp
- 3 days camel trekking from Mhamid to Erg Chigaga and return in a 4x4
- 5 days round trip camel trekking from Mhamid to Erg Chigaga
Highlights along the Desert Trails
Highlights along the desert trail, depending your route, include:
- Atlas Passes of Tizi-n-Tichka (2260m) or Tizi-n-Test (2100m)
- World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
- Glaoua Kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultout in Ouarzazate
- Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate
- Rose Valley (Kelaa Mgouna) in Spring
- Valley of Dades Gorge with Tamnalt hills and old kasbahs
- Todra Gorge, one of the highest gorges in Morocco
- Skoura and the trail of One Thousand Kasbahs
- Traditional Berber souqs
- Fossil Mines, seasonal lakes and Gnawa musicians
- Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Berber War Lord, at Telouet
- Draa River Valley
- The Sacred Heart Oasis and salt flats of Lake Iriqui in Erg Chigaga
- Tea with Ait Atta Berber nomads in Erg Chigaga
- Azrou and the cedar forests where macaque monkeys live
- Ziz Valley and Gorges
Marrakech Desert Tours – 3, 4 or 5 days
It is a 10hrs drive from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga dunes and we recommend 4 days for a desert tour to break the journey each way and restrict the time spent sitting in a vehicle. On a 3 day excursion you will be sitting in a vehicle for ten hours on one of the days. There are closer dunes around Zagora, suitable for a 2 day trip but they do not offer the same or similar desert experience.
Day 1: Marrakesh – Skoura – Mgouna – Dades Gorge
Transfer to Dades Gorge across the Tizi-n-Tichka via Ouarzazate, Skoura and Kelaa Mgouna (Rose Valley) where, in April and May, Berber children sell garlands of the roses grown here in the hedgerows. Leave the main route at Boumalne Dades to drive past ruined hilltop Kasbahs, valley gardens where crops are grown and the Tamnalt Hills.
Day2: Dades Gorge - Merzouga. Erg Chebbi Camel Trek
Transfer to Merzouga. Arrive at the edge of the dunes with the option to overnight in a hotel or camel trek to a desert camp where your guide serves dinner under the stars.
Day3: Merzouga – Todra Gorge - Skoura Palm Grove
Wake early to watch the sunrise and camel trek back across the dunes to shower and prepare for departure. Transfer to Skoura Palm Grove with a detour to see the Todra Gorge, the highest gorge in Morocco.
Day 4: Skoura - Ait Benhaddou - Telouet - Marrakech
Transfer to Marrakech via the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou and along the Ounila valley to Telouet. Lunch in Telouet and visit the Kasbah el Glaoui. Transfer to Marrakech back across the Tizi-n-Tichka with an early evening drop-off at your hotel or riad in the old medina.
Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour - 3, 4 or 5 days
It is a 10hrs drive from Marrakech to the Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi and a 7hrs drive from here to Fes. We recommend at least 3 days for a desert tour from Marrakech to Fes and 4 days or longer if you have the time.
Day 1: Marrakesh to Ouarzazate via Telouet and Benhaddou
Transfer from Marrakesh across the Tizi-n-Tichka to the traditional Berber village of Telouet for a guided tour of the Kasbah of el Glaoui, former War Lord and Pasha of Marrakech. Continue along Ounila valley to Ait Benhaddou and visit the World Heritage Site, a spectacular fortified village (Ksar). Ouarzazate is just south of Ait Benhaddou.
Day 2: Ouarzazate to Dades Gorge via Skoura and Mgouna
Transfer to Dades Gorge via Skoura, where there is a palm grove, and Kelaa Mgouna (Rose Valley) where, in April and May, Berber children sell garlands of the roses grown here in the hedgerows. Leave the main route at Boumalne Dades to drive past ruined hilltop Kasbahs, valley gardens where crops are grown and the Tamnalt Hills.
Day 3: Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorge. Camel Trek
Transfer to Merzouga via the Todra Gorge, the highest gorge in Morocco. Arrive at the edge of the dunes with the option to overnight in a hotel or Erg Chebbi camel trek with a desert guide to sleep in a nomad tented desert camp.
Day 4: Merzouga to Fes via Ziz Valley and Cedar Forests
Wake early to see the sunrise and return across the dunes on your camels. After breakfast depart for Fes via the Ziz Valley Gorge and cedar forests where macaque monkeys live –an interesting route with a break for lunch. Early evening drop off at your accommodation in Fes.
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours - 3 , 4 or 5 days
It is a 7hrs drive from Fes to the Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi and a 10hrs drive from here to Marrakech. We recommend at least 3 days for a desert tour from Fes to Marrakech and 4 days or 5 days if you want to slow down the pace of the trip and explore along the route.
Day 1: Fes to Merzouga via Azrou and Cedar Forests. Camel Trek
Early morning departure from Fes and transfer to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga via the cedar forests and Ziz Valley Gorge. Arrive in the desert to meet your desert guide and Erg Chebbi camel trek to a deep desert camp where dinner is served under the stars. If you prefer, sleep in a hotel with pool at the dune line.
Day 2: Merzouga to Dades Gorge via Todra Gorge
Transfer to Dades Gorge with a detour to visit Todra Gorge, the highest gorge in Morocco. Leave the main route at Boumalne Dades to drive along the Dades Gorge past ruined hilltop Kasbahs, valley gardens where crops are grown and the Tamnalt Hills.
Day 3: Dades Gorge to Ouarzazate via Mgouna and Skoura
Transfer to Ouarzazate via Kelaa Mgouna where, in April and May, Berber children sell garlands of the roses grown here in the hedgerows and Skoura where there is a palm grove and Kasbah d’Imidril.
Day 4: Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Benhaddou and Telouet
Visit the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a spectacular fortified village, and continue along Ounila valley to Telouet. Lunch in Telouet and visit the Kasbah el Glaoui. Transfer to Marrakech across the Tizi-n-Tichka with an early evening drop-off at your hotel or riad in the old medina.
Camel Trekking in Morocco
For information on camel trekking in Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga:
Camel Trekking in Morocco: 'Morocco Camel Treks'
