Morocco Desert Tours
The Sahara is the reason most travellers come to Morocco, and a desert tour is the heart of almost every itinerary we run. The classic destination is Erg Chebbi, the great sea of dunes beside Merzouga, where a sunset camel trek leads to a night in a desert camp under a sky thick with stars.
Getting there is half the experience. The overland route from Marrakech climbs the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, past the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou and through the Dadès and Todra gorges before the tarmac gives way to sand. It's a full journey, which is why the shortest satisfying desert tour is three days — anything less means more time in the car than on the dunes.
Choosing your desert tour
- 3 days — the classic Marrakech round-trip to Merzouga and back. The most popular option.
- 4 days — cross the south and finish in Fes, with no backtracking.
- 5 days — two desert nights and a slower return through Skoura and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.
Desert nights are cold in every season, and midday is extreme in high summer, so timing matters — see the best time to visit Morocco and what to pack. For the specific routes, see our Marrakech to Merzouga and Merzouga desert pages.
Sahara tours to choose from
3-Day Merzouga Sahara Tour
Morocco's classic desert tour — the Erg Chebbi dunes, a sunset camel trek and a night in a luxury camp.
4-Day Marrakech to Fes
Cross the whole south through the Sahara and finish in Fes. No backtracking.
5-Day Sahara & Kasbahs
Two full desert nights and a slower return through Skoura and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.
7-Day Morocco Itinerary
One perfect week — the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and the imperial capitals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best desert to visit in Morocco?
Erg Chebbi at Merzouga is the most spectacular and accessible — tall dunes, established camps and a straightforward route from Marrakech or Fes. Erg Chigaga near Zagora is wilder and quieter but harder to reach.
How many days do I need for a Sahara tour?
Three days is the realistic minimum from Marrakech for a proper desert experience. Four days lets you finish in Fes; five gives you two desert nights and a more relaxed pace.
When is the best time for a Morocco desert tour?
October to early November and March to April — warm days and comfortable camp nights. Summer midday heat is extreme; winter nights are cold but the days are clear.
Plan your Sahara desert tour
Tell us your dates and we'll build the desert route that fits.