2 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM MARRAKECH

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Private Marrakech to Zagora 2-Day Desert Trip

Your private 2 days desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora is your best chance to discover Morocco’s Sahara desert at a glance. This is the best overnight desert trip from Marrakech: It will introduce you to the Saharan landscapes of Draa Valley and the Zagora desert. Drive across the High Atlas Mountains and walk to Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou. At the end of the day, Ride your camel while watching a spectacular sunset. At night, join the Sahara desert camp’s Berber nomads playing Tam-Tam drums around the campfire.

2 days Marrakech to Zagora desert safari Highlights:

Drive across the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi Ntichka pass.
Visit the Berber village of Ait Ben Haddou, famous for its world heritage Kasbah.
Drive along Draa Valley with its fortified villages, palm trees dotted rivers and oases.
Ride your camel watching the sunset at Zagora desert.
Sleep under the stars at your Berber desert camp.
Visit Ouarzazate and Atlas Film Studios.

Marrakech to Zagora Overnight Desert Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech - Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou - Zagora

You depart your 2-day desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora from your hotel or riad early in the morning (around 07h30). First, you will drive through Tizi N'tichka pass ( 2260 m. alt ) and cross various Berber villages on the way. Different stops will be made along the way to enjoy the scenery, take photos or sip a cup of mint tea and stretch your legs.
Upon arrival to Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou, enjoy a short visit to this world heritage site used previously as a set for various Hollywood epics like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. We will organize an hour visit to the Village at leisure with a local guide.
After lunch at leisure in either Kasbah Air Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate, you'll drive past the Anti Atlas Mountains, the Berber Village of Agdez, and Draa Valley, its hundreds of thousands of date palm trees. Draa Valley is considered the most significant date palm plantation in Morocco.
We arrive at Zagora late in the afternoon to prepare for a camel trek over the Zagora desert and watch a spectacular sunset before driving your camel back to your Zagora desert camp for a Moroccan dinner with us drums and entertainment under the stars.

(7 Hours Drive)

Accomodation Details:

Day 2: Zagora - Ouarzazate - Marrakech

After an early wake-up for a camel ride and sunrise watch over the horizon, and a Moroccan breakfast, depart to Ouarzazate, where you can visit Taourirte Kasbah before lunch at leisure, and then continue back to Marrakech via Tizi Ntichka pass.
You will arrive back at your hotel or riad in Marrakech late afternoon.
Your 2-day Marrakech to Zagora desert tour will end with a drop-off at your hotel.

(7 Hours Drive)

2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour Price:

Number of Participants:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7-9	10-13	14-17
Price per person:	335€	189€	149€	129€	115€	105€	95€	90€	79€

Number of Participants:	Price per person:
1	335€
2	189€
3	149€
4	129€
5	115€
6	105€
7-9	95€
10-13	90€
14-17	79€

What is included in this Private 2-Day Desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora:

A/C modern 4×4 or van driven by an English speaking river/guide

Pick up from your Marrakech hotel/Riad

Sunset camel ride

Overnight at a Sahara desert camp in Zagora (Private tent) with shared bathrooms and showers. Dinner and breakfast are included.

Upgrade to a deluxe camp with an ensuite tent available upon booking your desert tour (€70 per person)

Sunrise camel ride

Drop off at your Marrakech hotel or the closest accessible location to your Marrakech riad if not car accessible.

Not included

Beverages

Entrance fees if any

Optional local guide in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

Lunches on the way

Know Before You Go:

Please note that Zagora is a flat rock desert, there are barely any sand dunes.
Driving time from Marrakech to Zagora (not including stops for sightseeing, drinks, lunch, etc.) is 7 hours.
The Winter season is very cold in the Zagora desert, please make sure you bring warm sleeping clothes.
Roughly 1-hour sunset and morning sunrise camel rides are included.
Please make sure you wear jeans or long shorts with for your Zagora desert camel trek to avoid skin contact with the camel saddle.
Your Zagora desert camp has the electricity to charge your cameras and phone in public areas, but not inside your tent.
Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and good walking shoes are essential for this tour.
If you choose the comfortable camp ( included in the Zagora tour price ), please bring your bathroom condiments and a towel. If you choose to upgrade to the luxury camp, they are supplied within your ensuite bathroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Zagora from Marrakech?

The distance from Marrakech to Zagora is 355 kilometers (220 miles). You can drive from Marrakech to Zagora in about 7 hours, if you take the route through the High Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, and Agdz Village. If you want to include sightseeing stops, lunch and coffee breaks, it will take longer.
Are there any outlets in Zagora desert camp?

Zagora camp restaurant and public areas will be equipped with electric outlets. However, they will shut down the electric generators around midnight.
Are there sand dunes in Zagora?

The Zagora desert is mostly a flat, rocky wasteland. The only sand dune is right next to your campsite.
Are there showers in Zagora desert camp?

Yes, there are. Zagora desert camp has shared hot showers and toilets outside your private tents. If you upgrade to the Luxury camp, Bathrooms will be private in your tent.
Are bathrooms in Zagora desert camp tent private?

If you opt for the comfortable desert camp, bathrooms are shared. However, if you choose to upgrade to the luxury camp, bathrooms are located inside your tent.
Can we bring our suitcases with us on the tour to Zagora?

You can take a small backpack with you on the camel ride to the camp. Your luggage will be safe in your vehicle for the night.
How long is the camel ride to Zagora desert camp?

Zagora desert camel rides are a great way to see the sunset and sunrise. Your ride will last for one hour at sunset and roughly 40 minutes in the morning. The exact time depends on the season, sunset, and sunrise time.
Can i skip the camel ride to Zagora desert camp?

You have the option to either walk with the camel caravan to your Zagora desert camp or take a 4×4 at an extra cost of 30 Euros for a return transfer to your Sahara desert camp.
Can we hire a quad bike in Zagora?

Unfortunately, there is no all-terrain vehicle rental in the Zagora desert.
Is Zagora worth visiting?

If you're looking for a short desert getaway, the Zagora desert is the perfect destination. It's located about 360 kilometers away from Marrakech, and getting there takes about 6 hours by road. Although it may seem like quite a long journey, it's worth it to explore this beautiful desert.
Can we hire quad bikes in Zagora desert?

Unfortunately there is no quad biking operator in Zagora desert.

Reviews

fantastic private 2 days tour from Marrakech to Zagora desert

Billy F – Nov 2021:

The tour from Marrakech to Zagora desert was fantastic, but it was far too short! The drive is spectacular since it takes you through the Atlas Mountains with breath-taking views, but it's 360 kilometres from Marrakesh and the route isn't straight, so it takes about 7 hours. It's enjoyable since you can stop a few times along the trip to see different sights, but I wish we had more time in the desert. We just stayed one night with supper and breakfast and rode camels to see the sunset and dawn, so it's really evocative and beautiful, but for such a long journey, I would recommend at least two nights. The desert camp was well equipped, and the people and food were also fantastic. We liked him right away; he's really helpful and speaks good English, so you won't have any difficulty communicating with him. He took us to the nicest restaurants and looked after us even at the desert camp, making sure we had everything we needed. I highly suggest this trip, and the organization was really simple to work with and provided an honest price/service for a private tour. Thank you, Ali, and Marrakech Desert Trips.

Amazing Marrakech to Zagora desert trip

Karen A – Oct 2020:

Our desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora was just amazing. Reda was not only a fantastic driver, but also a thoughtful guide and a nice companion on our journey. He was able to provide us with a wealth of information on all of the places we visited, as well as making the ride simple and fun by pausing for spectacular picture opportunities and well-timed coffee breaks. Thank you very much, Reda!

Carlos F – Sep 2019:

My wife and I booked this excursion with Marrakech Desert Trips on our honeymoon. Hicham, our driver/guide, was fantastic! We were met in front of our Riad. And took us on a pleasant journey that included lunch and a visit to a Kasbah. Our host Ahmed went above and above after we arrived at the camp (via camel!!)!! He did, however, deceive me into believing the tea was "Berber Whiskey"!! In any case, it was a lovely cup of tea. This tour is highly recommended for all adventurers!!!