Is 2 days enough for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?

Two days is the minimum that lets you reach real Sahara dunes, ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp. You'll see the Zagora dunes — smaller and closer than Merzouga — but it's an authentic, time-efficient taste of the Sahara.

How long is the camel ride on this Marrakech to Zagora desert tour?

The camel trek into the Zagora dunes is around 60–90 minutes at sunset, ending at the desert camp. Walking next to the camel is always an option for guests who'd rather stretch their legs.

Do we sleep in a real desert camp in Zagora?

Yes — the night is spent in a traditional Berber camp with private tents, real beds and shared bucket-shower bathrooms. Dinner under the stars and a small drum session around the fire are included.

When is the best time for this Marrakech to Sahara desert tour?

October to April brings cool, comfortable nights in the dunes. July and August nights are pleasant but daytime in the Draa Valley is hot — early starts and air-conditioned vehicles are part of the package.

2-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Zagora

English / French / Spanish Meet with guide 2 days

Marrakech, Morocco (72 Reviews)

2-day Zagora desert expedition from Marrakech — camel trek and Berber camp

Overview

This is the quickest Sahara desert tour from Marrakech — a 2-day private trip that crosses the High Atlas Mountains, visits the UNESCO ksar of Aït Benhaddou, follows the Draa Valley palmeraie and ends with a camel ride into the Zagora dunes for dinner and a night in a Berber desert camp. Travellers with more time often upgrade to our 3-day Merzouga tour for taller dunes, or pair it with our 4-day desert tour from Marrakech via a tailor-made quote.

Highlights

Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Zagora Zagora camel ride and Draa Valley Private driver-guide Authentic experience Authentic experience

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Zagora — camel ride and night in a desert camp

Explore the Sahara on a tour from Marrakech with Local Morocco Tours, your private desert tour company. On the way to Ouarzazate, we travel through Berber villages and take in Atlas views while crossing the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 metres. Before continuing on to Zagora, we stop at the Taourirt Kasbah. Local Morocco Tours can help you plan the whole trip. We then drive through the Draa Valley — the largest palm-grove valley in Morocco — and pass through Agdz on our way to Zagora. There you will watch the sun set over the desert and ride a camel for about an hour to reach a bivouac for dinner, followed by Berber music under the stars. You can choose the style of camp where you will spend the night.

Day 2

Zagora to Marrakech via the Draa Valley

After watching the sunrise over the desert, we ride camels back to Zagora and have breakfast before continuing through the Atlas Mountains. The Sahara is a highlight of many of our local Morocco tours. We then visit the UNESCO World Heritage ksar of Aït Benhaddou with a local guide, before crossing the Tichka pass and driving you back to your accommodation in Marrakech. At Local Morocco Tours, we will do everything we can to tailor a holiday in Morocco that is perfect for you, your family, your friends or your group.