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2 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Zagora

Duration

2 Days

Tour Type

Private Tour

Languages

English, Multilingual

Free Cancellation

48 H

Overview of the tour

The 2-day desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora is the perfect option if you have only a few days in Morocco and want to explore the desert. This 2-day Marrakech to Zagora desert tour could be the best choice for you. The journey includes visits to the High Atlas Mountains, Berber villages, the Saharan oasis, a camel trek, sunset, sunrise, and a night in the desert.

On the first day of the tour, you will drive through the High Atlas Mountains and explore some Berber villages before continuing toward the Zagora desert. Once you reach Zagora, you’ll ride a camel through the rocky desert and spend the night in a desert tent.

The last day will begin with an early sunrise, breakfast, and a shower. Then we’ll start our journey back to Marrakech, with stops to visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the Draa Valley. The 2-day desert tour to Zagora offers two accommodation options: a regular desert camp and a luxury desert camp.

Brief itinerary of the 2-day trip from Marrakech to Zagora

Day Departure Arrival Distance in Kms
1st Marrakech Zagora 360 km
2nd Zagora Marrakech 360 km

 

Good to know

  1. The Zagora desert doesn’t have proper sand dunes; it is more of a rocky desert. While it is indeed a desert, it may not meet your dreamy expectations of high, orange sand dunes.
  2. This 2-day tour from Marrakech to Zagora is the shortest desert trip and includes a lot of driving. If you have enough time in Morocco and want to visit the real desert, it is better to book a 3- or 4-day tour to the Merzouga desert, which has the highest dunes in Morocco.
  3. It’s possible to miss the sunset or parts of the camel trek, depending on the weather (e.g., rain or sandstorms).
  4. We generally stop at small, local restaurants that serve fresh food. However, if you prefer to choose or book a restaurant on your own, you can ask your driver to take you anywhere at any time.
  5. Riding a camel for a long time can be uncomfortable and is not recommended for pregnant women, people over 70 years old, or those with back problems.

Highlights of 2 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Zagora

  • Crossing the High Atlas Mountains
  • Exploring the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
  • Visit Ouarzazate, the gate of the Sahara
  • Visit the film studios (Optional)
  • Passing by several Berber Villages
  • Riding camels in the Zagora desert
  • Enjoying the sunset in Zagora
  • Spending a night in the desert camp
  • The sunrise in the desert

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Draa Valley - Zagora Desert

On the first day of our two-day trip to the Zagora desert, we will pick you up from your accommodation, the bus station, or even Marrakech's airport if you arrive early in the morning. After driving a few kilometers out of Marrakech, we will begin crossing the High Atlas Mountains, traveling through a winding road and the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 meters above sea level). We will make several stops to take pictures and enjoy the impressive landscapes, panoramic views, and Berber villages of the Atlas.

After crossing the Atlas Mountains, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, recognized in 1987. Following our visit and lunch near the Kasbah, we will drive to the southern part of Morocco, crossing the second pass called Tizi N’Tnifift at 1,710 meters. We will then pass by Ait Saoun village, the former route of Sahara traders coming from Timbuktu.

After a few kilometers, we will reach Agdez, the first administrative center that marks the source of the Draa Valley with its six successive palm groves and kasbahs. We will continue our desert adventure through the Draa Valley to reach Zagora. Upon arrival, we will ride camels waiting to take us on a short adventure. After watching the sunset and having some rest with mint tea, dinner will be served at the desert camp's restaurant, followed by traditional drumming music.

Accommodation

Standard Option: Standard Desert Camp

Superior Option: Luxury Desert Camp

Day 2: Zagora - Agdz -Ouarzazate - Atlas - Marrakech

On the second day, you'll wake up early to watch the sunrise in the desert. After breakfast and a shower at the camp, we will take a short camel ride before driving back to Marrakech. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy the beautiful views, have lunch, and visit Ouarzazate. We will return to Marrakech in the evening.

Included/Excluded

  • Private Transportation with A/C
  • Experienced driver (Multilingual)
  • Fuel
  • Camel ride in Zagora desert
  • Overnight camping in the desert (Dinner & Breakfast)
  • Drinks
  • Lunches
  • Accommodation in Marrakech
  • Entrance fees

Map of the tour

FAQs about 2 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Zagora

Which accommodations are included?

The 2-day desert tour to Zagora includes two options, you can choose to spend the night in a standard or a luxury camp.

How is the weather in Zagora desert?

The weather in winter, from mid-November to early March, is characterized by cold nights and warm days, with temperatures around 0°C at night and 26°C during the day.


In summer, from mid-June to mid-September, it is hot both day and night, with daytime temperatures reaching 45°C and nighttime temperatures around 30°C.


For the rest of the year, temperatures remain fairly consistent throughout the day and night, ranging between 24°C and 30°C.

What to pack?

  1. Closed shoes

  2. Water

  3. Flashlight

  4. Backpack

  5. Sunscreen

  6. Hat or scarf

  7. Sunglasses

  8. Jacket & Gloves (during winter)

How to book and pay?

To confirm your booking, please pay a deposit in advance. The remaining balance can be paid via PayPal, credit card, bank transfer, or in cash. For deposits, we accept PayPal, bank transfer, and Western Union. For more information about payments and cancellations, please visit our Payments & Terms of Cancellations page.

How long does it take to get to Zagora desert from Marrakech?

Zagora is located in the south part of Morocco, about 352 km from Marrakech. The journey takes around 8 hours but it can be less or more depending on your stops.

When does the 2-day trip to Zagora desert start?

The tour starts at 08:00 in the morning, due to the long drive, we will have to start early from Marrakech to get to Zagora's desert before the sunset.

Is this a private or a shared tour?

This tour is private and there will be only your group with the driver/guide.

What is the price of the 2-day trip from Marrakech to Zagora?

The prices change depending on the number of travelers and the category of the accommodations. We have two options to upgrade your desert camp from standard to mid-range. For more details, please check the prices on this page.

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Camel ride in Zagora desert
Jonathan
2024-12-13

Amazing experience thanks to Ali!!

We had a great two days to the Zagora desert starting from Marrakech with our driver Ali who was friendly and informative. The camel tour was an amazing experience and the desert camp was comfortable, the dinner was delicious and the staff was helpful and friendly.
Camel ride in Zagora desert
Mark
2024-12-13

Memorable Sahara experience

My family and I booked this short 2-day Sahara tour to the Zagora desert, and we had a memorable experience thanks to our guide Hamid who was very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. I would highly recommend him.
Camel ride in Zagora desert
Alena
2024-12-13

A great short desert trip

Due to our short time in Morocco, we couldn't book the 3-day tour to Merzouga, so we ended up booking this short tour to the Zagora "desert" which was ok. Zagora's desert is not the desert to expect, it is only a rocky desert with no sand dunes.

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