Frequently Asked Questions

General

Is Marrakech Desert Trips a licensed and insured tour operator in Morocco?

Yes. Marrakech Desert Trips is a fully licensed and insured Moroccan tour operator based in Marrakech.
We operate under a registered Moroccan travel company (License number: 16D/19), are fully bonded, and work with professional local guides, drivers and suppliers across the country.

Is Marrakech Desert Trips a local Moroccan company or an international reseller?

Marrakech Desert Trips is a locally owned Moroccan tour operator based in Marrakech.
We design and operate our own tours directly, rather than reselling other agencies’ trips, which means better quality control, fair pricing and local expertise.

What makes Marrakech Desert Trips different from other Marrakech desert tour companies?

Marrakech Desert Trips focuses on private and small groups, licensed guides and transparent pricing.
We carefully select desert camps, riads and drivers, offer clear itineraries, and provide honest advice on what is and isn’t realistic in your timeframe, so you get a safe, comfortable and authentic Sahara experience.

Does Marrakech Desert Trips only offer desert tours, or do you also run Marrakech day trips and Atlas treks?

Marrakech Desert Trips offers Sahara desert tours, Marrakech day trips and Atlas Mountains trekking.
Our most popular trips include 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tours, 2-day Zagora tours, Essaouira and Ouzoud day trips, and guided Mount Toubkal treks.

Are Marrakech Desert Trips tours private, or do you offer shared group options too?

Marrakech Desert Trips offers both private tours and shared group desert trips.
Private tours are ideal for couples, families and friends wanting flexibility, while our shared group tours help solo travellers and budget-conscious guests experience the desert at a lower cost.

How long has Marrakech Desert Trips been operating tours in Morocco?

Marrakech Desert Trips has been organizing Morocco tours since 2009 with thousands of happy guests.
Our team of drivers, guides and local partners has deep experience on the Marrakech–Sahara routes, imperial cities and Atlas Mountains, which helps us plan realistic, comfortable itineraries.

Are the Sahara desert camps you use safe and comfortable for families and first-time visitors?

Yes. Marrakech Desert Trips works with vetted desert camps that offer clean tents, proper bedding and dinner and breakfast included.
On our luxury options, you also get ensuite tents with private bathrooms, hot showers and extra comfort for families and couples.

How do I know if Marrakech Desert Trips is a trustworthy company to book with?

You can check Marrakech Desert Trips’ reviews on Google, TripAdvisor and other platforms, where many travellers share real experiences.
We are a licensed Moroccan tour operator, use secure payment methods, provide clear written itineraries, and our team is available on WhatsApp and email before, during and after your trip.

How do I book a tour with Marrakech Desert Trips and is payment safe?

You can book directly with Marrakech Desert Trips through our website, email or WhatsApp. We use secure credit card, debit card, and PayPal payments, and always send written confirmations with clear itineraries and inclusions, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you pay.

Shared Desert Tours

Are Group shared desert tours good for me?

The prices of our shared desert tours from Marrakech are very competitive. If you limit your expectations, you are an easy-going seasoned traveler, don’t care too much about the little details, and want to make new friends during the tour; we are sure you will enjoy it. If not, we have a wide selection of private tours designed for discerning travelers who want to make the most out of their time. Price-wise, there is quite a significant difference between private and group shared desert tours, which explains it all.

I only have 2 days to spare for a desert tour, is your 2-day Zagora Shared desert tour good for me?

If you can’t spare more than two days for a desert trip from Marrakech, you are left with the only choice available: 2 day Zagora tour. However, you need to be aware that you will spend most of the day in the minibus. Once you are in Zagora, it will be a flat rock desert. There are barely any sand dunes in Zagora. On the way back to Marrakech, you will drive around the same route again, and it might be boring to some.

Are your Shared desert tours guided?

English-speaking drivers lead our shared Marrakech desert tours. Some might be satisfied with their English; some guests are not. Please note your drivers are not Official guides. They try their best to keep you safe, entertained, and answer your questions, while they focus more on their primary duty: Driving long hours to Merzouga and back to Marrakech.

What happens if the minimum participants are not reached on your Marrakech shared desert tours and day trips?

There are no minimum participants required on our shared desert tours. Our tours are guaranteed to depart every day, no matter how many participants are signed in.

Private Desert Tours

Do you offer an escorting licensed guide on your private tours?

While we try to keep our private tours cost down for you, we select well-educated, knowledgeable, and courteous drivers (99% of our private tour guests were satisfied so far). But if you have academic topics or special interests to cover on your tours, we suggest having a licensed escorting guide. We will be happy to hire one for an extra 120.00 Euros a day.

Can we choose different accommodation than the one you are offering for your tours?

While we do our best to offer you the best value for your money when selecting our Riads, lodges, and desert camps, you might have special reasons to choose different accommodations for your tours. We will be happy to adjust our Morocco desert tour prices accordingly.

How early should we book our private Morocco Tours?

While we offer a 100% COVID refund and an apparent standard times cancelation policy, We recommend booking your Morocco desert tours with us as early as possible to guarantee our advertised Riads, lodges, and desert camps. Unfortunately, they are all pretty small with limited availability, especially in peak seasons.

We are a couple, and we are interested to join a small group of 4 or 6 on a private tour. Is that possible?

Unfortunately, we tried this before, and it didn’t work. Our private Morocco tours are private. The tour price depends on how many participants are in your party.

We are ready to book our tour but we haven’t booked a hotel where to be picked up for the tour. What shall we do?

You can book your Morocco desert tour, and on the pick-up hotel section, just put TBC (To be confirmed ), and update us by email once you finalize your hotel booking.

Sahara Desert Camp

What happens to our luggage before we ride camels to the desert camp?

Comfortable desert camp:
Please make sure you have a rack sac ready upon arrival to Merzouga to carry you on the camel ride to your desert camp. The rest of your luggage will be kept safe at the camp operator’s lodge or inside your minibus trunk.
Luxury desert camp:
You can choose to have a rack sac ready once in Merzouga to carry with you to the camp or take all your luggage in a separate vehicle to your tent while you ride camels.

Do we need sleeping bags for the Sahara desert camp?

No, you don’t. The camps we are using for our Moroccan desert trips supply sleeping equipment there. During the winter, enough warm blankets will be provided, but you will need warm thermal clothes to keep you warm at night (Dec, Jan, and Feb).

Do we need to bring our towels and shower condiments for the desert camp?

Yes, please. However, towels and shower condiments are supplied in your tent on our luxury desert camps.

Can we choose to upgrade our tents once in the desert camp?

Unfortunately, you can’t. During your booking process or at least 24 hours before departure, such a decision must be made during your booking process. Standard, comfortable and luxury camps are separate from one another. They are all located in different areas and operated by other camp operators.

Is there electricity in the tents? Where can we charge our phones and cameras?

Electricity plugins are available in luxury desert camp tents only. In comfortable camps, they are available in public areas (restaurants). However, by midnight, electric generators are turned off.

Deposits and payments

Can we book our tour directly from you when we arrive in Marrakech? Where your office is located?

Yes, you can. Provided there is availability. Our shared tours fill up at least 3 or 4 days in advance. Our office is outside the Medina in an office building about a 20-minute drive from Jamaa Elfna Square. Please click here to get directions.

How do i pay the remaining balance?

SHARED TOURS:
Onsite on the tour day to our staff in cash only, Moroccan Dirhams, Euros, US dollars, or Sterling. If you insist on paying by card or via PayPal, additional fees will apply: 5% processing fee + 20% VAT
PPRIVATE TOURS:
Onsite on the tour day in cash: Moroccan Dirhams, Euros, US dollars, or Sterling. Should you wish to pay the remaining balance by credit card or PayPal, and processing fee of 5% will be charged.

What currencies do you accept for the remaining balance?

We do accept Moroccan Dirhams Euros, US Dollars, and Sterling. Please refer to xe.com as a conversion base.

I do not have a PayPal account, how shall i pay for a tour deposit?

If you do not have a PayPal account, you can still complete your PayPal payment by providing your credit card information. PayPal accepts all major credit cards and debit cards. Please note that PayPal does not share your credit card information with us.

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