2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour
Short on time? Cross the High Atlas, walk the lanes of Aït Benhaddou, follow the palm-lined Drâa Valley and spend a night under Saharan stars near Zagora.
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Explore Morocco
Desert Tours from Marrakech
From a two-day escape to Zagora to a two-week circuit of the whole country, every journey begins at your riad door.
- Hand-picked
private tours - Local Sahara
guides - Comfortable
A/C vehicles - Daily departures,
flexible routes
Why start in Marrakech?
Marrakech is the classic gateway to the Sahara: the road south crosses the Tizi n'Tichka pass and reaches kasbahs, oases and gorges within hours.
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From Marrakech
10 private itineraries starting in Marrakech. Each one can be shortened, extended or combined to fit your dates.
3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
A one-way crossing that turns a long transfer into an adventure: kasbahs, the Dades and Todra gorges, a camel ride into Erg Chebbi, then cedar forests on the road to Fes.
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
Our most requested route. Two days of mountain passes, gorges and oases lead to a sunset camel trek and a night in a Berber camp beneath the tallest dunes in Morocco.
4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
The same classic crossing at an easier pace, with an extra day in the dunes to explore nomad life, Gnawa music in Khamlia and the oasis around Merzouga.
4-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
A round trip that shows both faces of the south: out through the Drâa Valley and N'kob to the dunes, back via the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and the Valley of Roses.
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5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
The complete southern loop, with two nights around Erg Chebbi. Head out through the gorges, then return across the Anti-Atlas via Alnif and N'kob, with time to breathe at every stop.
5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes
Depth over distance: nights in Ouarzazate and the Todra Gorge, a full free day around Erg Chebbi, then a scenic Middle Atlas finish in the imperial city of Fes.
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7-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
A full week between Morocco's two great medinas, starting at Marrakech airport: a guided tour of Marrakech, unhurried drives through the kasbah country, two nights at the dunes of Erg Chebbi and a guided day in Fes.
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11-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech to Casablanca via Merzouga Desert
South first, then north: guided Marrakech, the kasbah road, two nights at the Merzouga dunes, a guided day in Fes, Volubilis, blue Chefchaouen, Rabat and a finish at the Hassan II Mosque.
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15-Day Grand Morocco Tour from Marrakech to Casablanca
A full circle of Morocco without retracing a road: Marrakech, Essaouira, Taroudant and the saffron country, Ouarzazate, two nights at the Merzouga dunes, Midelt, Fes, two nights in Chefchaouen, Rabat and Casablanca.
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Compare Tours from Marrakech
The quickest way to see which itinerary fits your dates and travel style.
| Tour | Duration | Route | Desert nights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour | 2 Days / 1 Night | Marrakech → Aït Benhaddou → Zagora | 1 | Travellers with limited time who want a first taste of the Sahara, and anyone combining a short desert trip with a stay in Marrakech. |
| 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga | 3 Days / 2 Nights | Marrakech → Dades → Merzouga → Fes | 1 | Travellers heading from Marrakech to Fes who enjoy scenic road trips and want one night in the Sahara on the way. |
| 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour | 3 Days / 2 Nights | Marrakech → Dades Valley → Merzouga → Drâa Valley | 1 | First-time visitors who want the classic Sahara experience from Marrakech in a short time, and travellers happy with one long driving day. |
| 4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga | 4 Days / 3 Nights | Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Merzouga → Fes | 2 | First-time visitors, families and anyone who wants a relaxed pace with a proper day in the Sahara. |
| 4-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour | 4 Days / 3 Nights | Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Merzouga → Dades Valley | 1 | Families and travellers who want the classic desert experience from Marrakech with shorter driving days and more time at each stop. |
| 5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour | 5 Days / 4 Nights | Marrakech → Dades Valley → Merzouga → Ouarzazate | 2 | Travellers who want the full southern loop at a gentle pace, including photographers and families with children. |
| 5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes | 5 Days / 4 Nights | Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Todra Gorge → Merzouga → Fes | 2 | Travellers heading to Fes who prefer shorter driving days and more time at each stop. |
| 7-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga | 7 Days / 6 Nights | Marrakech airport → Marrakech → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley → Merzouga → Fes | 2 | Travellers flying into Marrakech and out of Fes who want time in both cities and a relaxed pace through the south. |
| 11-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech to Casablanca via Merzouga Desert | 11 Days / 10 Nights | Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley → Merzouga → Fes → Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca | 2 | Travellers flying into Marrakech and out of Casablanca who want the south, the desert, Fes and Chefchaouen in one journey. |
| 15-Day Grand Morocco Tour from Marrakech to Casablanca | 15 Days / 14 Nights | Marrakech → Essaouira → Taroudant → Ouarzazate → Merzouga → Midelt → Fes → Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca | 2 | Travellers with two weeks who want to see every side of Morocco, including the less-visited south-west. |
Good to know
Why Start Your Desert Tour in Marrakech?
Marrakech sits at the foot of the High Atlas, and the road to the Sahara starts almost at the city walls. Within two hours you are crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 metres; by lunchtime you are walking through Aït Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah village in Morocco. No other starting point packs so much variety into the first day.
The great dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga are about 560 km away, which is why we recommend at least three days for that route, with a night in the Dades Valley on the way. If you only have two days, the smaller dunes of Zagora are much closer and still give you a camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
You can return to Marrakech by a different road, through the Drâa Valley and the Anti-Atlas, or continue north to Fes and turn the transfer between the two cities into the highlight of your trip.
Plan My Trip from Marrakech- Distance to Merzouga
- About 560 km (two days of scenic driving)
- Distance to Zagora
- About 360 km (one day)
- Pick-up
- Your riad, hotel or Marrakech airport, 8:00 am
- Best seasons
- March to May and September to November
Questions
Tours from Marrakech: FAQ
Not sure which tour to choose? Message us and a member of our team will reply personally.
Ask on WhatsAppHow many days do I need for a desert tour from Marrakech?
Two days is enough for Zagora. For Merzouga and the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, plan at least three days; four or five days make the drives shorter and add time in the desert.
Is Merzouga or Zagora better?
Merzouga has Morocco's tallest dunes, up to around 150 metres, and feels like the Sahara of the films. Zagora is closer and suits a short trip, but its dunes are smaller and the landscape is stonier.
Can I finish the tour in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech?
Yes. Our 3-, 4-, 5- and 7-day one-way tours end in Fes, and the 11- and 15-day tours continue north to finish in Casablanca. Your luggage travels with you in the vehicle.
Is the road over the Atlas difficult?
The Tizi n'Tichka road is winding but paved and well maintained. Our drivers know it well and stop regularly; if you are prone to travel sickness, tell us and we will plan extra breaks.
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