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Prepare to be entranced by the vast, mesmerizing Sahara Desert with our curated list of the Top 10 Marrakech desert tours. Experience unparalleled adventures by day, and retreat to comfortable lodgings by night.
We all know the Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering an area larger than the United States. Situated on the edge of this vast desert, Marrakech serves as a stunning gateway to this natural wonder. Its unique position allows travelers to embark on the adventure of a lifetime right into the desert’s heart while enjoying the comforts of this vibrant city. Desert tours from Marrakech have become a popular choice for those who wish to explore the Sahara’s beauty.
The traditional Berber tents, where many Marrakech desert tours arrange for overnight stays, are designed with woven camel or goat hair. This design helps keep the interior cool during the day and warm at night.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through 10 exciting Marrakech desert tours and recommend comfortable lodgings from where you can launch your Sahara adventure.
Merzouga Desert
Situated in the southeastern part of Morocco, the Merzouga Desert is home to the largest sand dunes in the country. At the heart of this Marrakech desert tour lies the captivating Erg Chebbi— a collection of sand dunes towering up to 150 meters in height and spanning an area of 22 kilometers from north to south. This awe-inspiring spectacle of nature offers a glimpse into the raw beauty of the Sahara.
Marrakech desert tours to Merzouga can be a thrilling ride of about 10 hours. Still, the journey is studded with opportunities to see traditional Berber villages, enjoy camel rides, and experience desert camps under starlit skies. A night stay in a Berber tent allows you to listen to local music while enjoying traditional Moroccan cuisine, making for an unforgettable experience.
Hotel Nomad Palace, located near the Erg Chebbi dunes, adds to the Marrakech desert tour experience with its sand-colored walls and comfortable amenities. It boasts a blend of traditional and modern design, offering guests an immersive experience of Moroccan culture while providing a stunning panoramic view of the dunes.
Zagora Desert
The captivating Zagora Desert lies in the Draa Valley, just south of the High Atlas Mountains. Its unique black desert landscape sets it apart from other Marrakech desert tour areas, and the surrounding terrain, dotted with palm groves and old Kasbahs, is an explorer’s delight. The Marrakech to Zagora tour is a 2-day, 1-night journey that gives you a glimpse of the life of nomadic Berbers. From riding camels across the desert to sleeping under the stars amidst the dunes, the experience is nothing short of magical. One can also enjoy traditional music around a campfire while savoring the local cuisine.
La Petite Kasbah is a recommended lodging option for a comfortable stay. It is a traditional Moroccan guesthouse with modern comforts, offering five beautifully designed bedrooms and a pool.
Erg Chigaga
Erg Chigaga is renowned for its raw and relatively untouched landscape. Far away from the nearest town, it’s less frequented by tourists, making it the perfect choice for those seeking a truly tranquil and immersive Marrakech desert tour experience. With dunes exceeding 300 meters in height, Erg Chigaga offers an impressive desert landscape where the peace and serenity of the vast, open surroundings can be genuinely felt.
Marrakech offers 3-day tours to Erg Chigaga, where travelers can enjoy a thrilling 4×4 ride through different terrains, a camel ride at sunset, and an overnight stay in a nomadic tent, listening to the silence of the desert under a clear, starry sky.
The Desert Luxury Camp in Erg Chigaga offers an authentic yet luxurious Marrakech desert tour experience. Located amidst the dunes, it allows guests to experience the stunning desert landscape while enjoying the comfort of a hotel.
Marrakech Camel Trips
Nothing beats the charm and authenticity of exploring the Moroccan desert on a camel. Marrakech Camel Trips are an iconic part of any Sahara Desert tour, offering a unique way to explore the expansive golden landscape. A camel trek provides travelers with a chance to experience the pace of Marrakech desert tour life, where time seems to stand still.
On these trips, travelers can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the desert sunrise or sunset, experience the hospitality of the Berber people, and relax by the campfire under the open starry sky.
A convenient lodging option for these trips is Riad Dar Anika. Nestled in the heart of Marrakech, it offers traditional Moroccan luxury, providing a tranquil oasis to rest before and after your Marrakech desert tour adventure.
Desert Majesty
Desert Majesty offers a personalized tour of the Moroccan desert that takes you deep into the heart of the Sahara. The tour begins with a drive through the stunning Atlas Mountains, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou and the cinematic city of Ouarzazate.
Upon reaching the desert, activities include a camel ride through the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, an overnight stay in a Marrakech desert tour camp, and cultural experiences like listening to local Berber music and learning about their traditions. The tours also include hiking and an in-depth exploration of the area, allowing guests to fully immerse in the natural beauty of the Sahara.
The Dar Ahlam Kasbah is a beautiful place to stay a short distance from the city. This traditional mud-built Kasbah has been converted into a luxury hotel. It is known for its beautiful gardens and excellent service.
Sahara Desert Quad Biking
For those seeking a dose of adrenaline, quad biking in the Sahara Desert offers an exhilarating way to explore the vast, dramatic landscape. Tours departing from Marrakech provide an opportunity to drive through the desert, across rocky terrains and sand dunes, under the clear blue skies of Morocco.
The tour includes a break for a traditional Berber tea in a nomadic camp. Quad biking tours at a Marrakech desert tour can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day, but no matter how long you’re on the bike, the experience is a thrilling ride that combines adventure and scenic beauty.
The Irocha Guest House, with its stunning views of the High Atlas Mountains and easy access to quad-biking departure points, is an ideal place to stay. It offers comfortable rooms and a lovely terrace from where you can watch the sunset over the mountains.
Agafay Desert
The Agafay Desert, located just an hour’s drive from Marrakech, offers a stark contrast to the bustling city life. Its stone desert, resembling a moonscape, provides a unique setting for a genuine Marrakech desert tour experience near the city. Despite its aridness, the desert is not lifeless; it changes with the seasons, showing a different character with each shift.
Marrakech offers various tours to Agafay, including horseback riding, mountain biking, and even hot air balloon rides. You can end your day with a gourmet dinner under the starlit sky at a luxury desert camp.
Nestled in the Marrakech desert tour landscape, Terre des Etoiles is an eco-lodge offering luxury tents for guests. Its location makes it an excellent spot for viewing the sunset or stargazing at night.
Ouarzazate Tour
Known as the “Door of the Desert,” Ouarzazate is a city in Morocco famous for its cinematic heritage. Home to Atlas Studios, the world’s largest film studio, many popular films and TV shows, including “Game of Thrones” and “Lawrence of Arabia,” have been filmed here.
Besides its cinematic appeal, Ouarzazate houses the ancient Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marrakech offers day tours to Ouarzazate, allowing visitors to explore the film studios and the old Kasbah.
The Berbère Palace in Ouarzazate is an excellent place for accommodation. This luxury hotel, with its beautiful gardens and traditional Moroccan architecture, offers a taste of royalty to its guests.
M’Hamid El Ghizlane Desert
M’Hamid El Ghizlane is a small oasis town in the Zagora province of Morocco, located at the edge of the Sahara. Often referred to as the “gateway to the desert,” it’s the starting point for treks into the Sahara. Here, the landscape transforms from rocky terrain to the golden sand dunes of the Sahara, offering an awe-inspiring sight.
The journey from Marrakech to M’Hamid El Ghizlane takes you through the stunning Atlas Mountains, offering breathtaking views. Once there, the activities include camel trekking, visits to ancient Kasbahs, and overnight stays in Marrakech desert tour camps, where one can enjoy the tranquility of desert nights under the starlit skies.
In a M’Hamid El Ghizlane palm grove, Chez Le Pacha lies as a peaceful oasis with comfortable rooms and a large pool.
Erg Chebbi Dunes
Erg Chebbi Dunes are some of the largest sand dunes in Morocco, located near Merzouga. Rising dramatically from the Marrakech desert tour landscape, these golden dunes are a sight to behold. They reach heights of up to 150 meters and offer a mesmerizing view, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the play of light and shadows across the dunes creates an unforgettable spectacle.
Marrakech offers several tours to Erg Chebbi, where visitors can enjoy camel trekking across the dunes, night stays in a desert camp, and traditional music and dance performances.
Meanwhile, Riad Nezha, with its warm hospitality and comfortable rooms, is a perfect lodging option near the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Blending traditional Moroccan architecture and décor with and modern amenities, it ensures a comfortable stay for its guests.
Embrace the Enchanting Sahara
Marrakech, with its vibrant souks and rich cultural heritage, not only presents an unforgettable travel experience in its own right but also serves as the perfect launch pad for your journey into the magnificent Sahara.
Besides the deserts in Marrakech, you can also enjoy nature-filled experiences in Cape Town.
These Marrakech desert tours offer an exciting taste of nomadic life, from breathtaking camel treks across the dunes to nights spent under the stars in traditional Berber tents. We hope this guide has ignited a spark of adventure in you and encouraged you to embrace the enchanting Sahara during your stay in Marrakech.
From the comfort of your selected lodgings, the mystical allure of the Sahara is within your reach.
Begin your Sahara adventure today with Hotala or subscribe to the Hot List for more updates!
TLDR
The article provides an intriguing roundup of the Top 10 Marrakech desert tours, each offering unique adventures into the majestic Sahara Desert. From the golden dunes of Merzouga and Zagora to the untouched wilderness of Erg Chigaga, each tour offers an immersive experience of the Sahara’s magical allure.
We also suggest Marrakech Camel Trips and the unique Desert Majesty tour to round out your Moroccan adventure. We have carefully selected comfortable lodgings for each tour to ensure your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Hotala, with its optimistic and dynamic approach, encourages you to embark on a Sahara adventure from your comfy Marrakech base.
