Sahara desert tours from Marrakech
There are two real Sahara destinations from Marrakech: Zagora, 6–7 hours away with small dunes and a 2-day trip from €69, and Merzouga, 9–10 hours away with the great Erg Chebbi dunes and a 3-day trip from €95. Anything advertised as a one-day Sahara trip goes to the Agafay, which is a stone desert with no dunes. If you want the dunes of the postcards, you need three days.
The options, in order of how many days you have
| Tour | Details |
|---|---|
| 2 days to Zagora | Small dunes at Tinfou, one night in camp · from €69 |
| 3 days to Merzouga | Erg Chebbi, two nights, the classic · from €95 |
| 4 days to Merzouga | Same route, far less driving per day · from €145 |
| 3 days Marrakech → Fes | One-way through the dunes, ends in Fes · from €135 |
| 3 days Erg Chigaga | Wild dunes, 4x4 and private only · from €290 |
Why the drive is not wasted time
The road to Merzouga crosses the High Atlas at the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2 260 m, drops through Aït Benhaddou, follows the Kasbah road down the Dades valley, and passes the Todra gorges. Several of the best hours of the trip happen through a window, which is why the 4-day version exists — it is the same route with time to stop.
This is also why we do not sell a one-day Sahara trip. It cannot be done, and operators who advertise it are taking you to the Agafay.
What is included on every multi-day tour
- Pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- Air-conditioned minibus with an English- and French-speaking driver-guide
- Private room with an ensuite bathroom at the hotel stops
- Private tent at the desert camp
- Dinner and breakfast every day
- Camel trek at sunset and again at sunrise
Book it
3-Day Desert Tour to Merzouga
The classic. Over the Atlas, down the Kasbah road through the Dades, then two nights at the Erg Chebbi dunes.
from95 €/ personprivate available
2-Day Desert Tour to Zagora
The shortest real overnight in the Sahara — one night in a camp near the Tinfou dunes.
from69 €/ personprivate available
4-Day Merzouga Desert Tour
The same route as the 3-day with far less driving per day, plus time in the Todra gorges.
from145 €/ personprivate available
Marrakech to Fes via the Desert
One-way across the country: the dunes on the way, and you finish in Fes instead of doubling back.
from135 €/ personprivate available
Erg Chigaga 4x4 Desert Tour
The wild dunes. Two hours of off-road track beyond Zagora, so it is 4x4 and private only.
from210 €/ person
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Sahara desert from Marrakech?
Zagora is 6 to 7 hours by road. Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are 9 to 10 hours. There is no true erg closer than Zagora.
Can I do a Sahara desert day trip from Marrakech?
Not to real dunes. A one-day desert trip from Marrakech goes to the Agafay, a stone desert 40 minutes away. It is a good half day, but it has no sand dunes.
How much is a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga?
From €95 per person on a shared tour, including transport, accommodation, dinners, breakfasts and the camel treks. Private starts at €195 per person for two and drops with group size.