Sample Itineraries for Tours in Morocco
Tea in the Sahara Tours
Morocco Desert Tours, Sahara Trips & Camel Treks (3, 4, 5 Days +)
Leave behind the bustle of Marrakech & Fes to discover Morocco and experience the tranquillity of the Sahara. Cross the dramatic landscapes of the High Atlas to visit verdant oasis gorges, old Glaoua kasbahs, rose-filled valleys in Spring and colourful Berber village souks.
Tea in the Sahara Tours include the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga or the more remote desert landscape of the Erg Chigaga dunes at Mhamid. In both desert regions you can camel trek with a desert guide and sleep under the stars in a desert camp.
This trip runs Marrakech to Marrakech; Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech. It can also run from Ouarzazate, Agadir, Casablanca or elsewhere on request. Our private 4x4 tours and excursions in Morocco, with a local driver, are suitable for independent travellers, couples, groups and family tours. All tours are customised to suit your dates and timescales.
Quick Links for Tea in the Sahara Tours
- Tea in the Sahara Tours & Camel Trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes from Merzouga
- Tea in the Sahara Tours & Camel Trek in the Erg Chigaga dunes from Mhamid
- Deserts of Morocco – Zagora vs. Merzouga vs. Mhamid
- Erg Chebbi Camel Treks – What to Expect
- Desert Tour Options from Marrakech
- 2009 New Year 5 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech
- Tour Price Guide
- Testimonials
Tea in the Sahara Tours & Erg Chebbi Camel Trek
Our 'Tea in the Sahara' tour to the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi is customized to suit your dates and timescales; it can include all or any of the highlights of South Morocco's Berber heartlands. We recommend at least three days for this trip, preferably four, and five days if you want a full day to explore this desert region:
- Tizi n’Tichka (2260m), the highest Atlas road pass
- World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
- Glaoua Kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultout in Ouarzazate
- Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate
- Oasis valley of Dades River with ruined hilltop kasbahs
- Todra Gorge, the highest gorge in Morocco; just 20m wide
- Rose Valley (Kelaa Mgouna); buy a garland of roses in Spring
- Kasbah Amerhidl (d'Imridil) at Skoura; take a guided tour
- Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs
- Traditional Berber souk; buy tagine spices
- Old Caravan Trade Route through Ounila Valley
- Abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Pasha of Marrakech
- Overnight Erg Chebbi camel trek in to sleep in a Berber tent
- Fossil Mines; hunt for your own fossil
- Seasonal lakes around Merzouga; if the rains arrive
- Gnawa Musicians; dance to the rhythm of the desert
- See 'Berber Trail 4x4 Tours in Morocco' for more information
Tea in the Sahara Tours & Erg Chigaga Camel Trek
We believe that our Tea in the Sahara tour to the dunes of Erg Chigaga offer a more authentic desert experience. This is a protected desert wilderness that is home to the semi-nomadic Ait Atta Berbers. This 4x4 desert adventure safari, with some off-road driving, can include all or any of the following highlights. We recommend four or five days for this trip.
- Tizi n’Tichka (2260m), the highest Atlas road pass
- World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
- Glaoua Kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultout in Ouarzazate
- Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate
- Lush palmeries of the Draa River Valley; visit Zagora
- Tea with a family of Ait Atta Berber nomads
- The Sacred Heart Oasis
- The salt flats of Lake Iriqui
- The desert oasis of Foum Zguid
- Old Salt Route across the Tizi-n-Telouet
- Abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Pasha of Marrakech
- Sunset Erg Chigaga camel trek and overnight in a desert camp
- See 'Off the Beaten Track Tours in Morocco' for more information
Deserts – Zagora vs. Merzouga vs. Mhamid
There are two significant Sahara sand seas in Morocco with high desert dunes: Erg Chebbi at Merzouga and Erg Chigaga at Mhamid. In addition there are small dunes at Zagora and a solitary tall dune at Tinfou.
Erg Chebbi at Merzouga is accessible from Marrakech, Fes, Agadir, Casablanca and Ouarzazate.
Erg Chigaga at Mhamid is accessible from Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca and Ouarzazate.
Zagora dunes are only recommended if you have limited time or want to keep your travel time to a minimum. Whilst a great introduction to Morocco, in 2 days from Marrakech, this region does not offer the same ‘desert experience’.
See 'Tea in the Sahara Desert Tours' for more information.
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Erg Chebbi Camel Treks – What to Expect
An overnight Sahara Camel Safari (Méharée) in Morocco conjures up an image of a caravan of camels, led by a desert guide, gliding across the sands of the Sahara. Meet your camels at Merzouga and set off across the Erg Chebbi dunes in the setting sun, or by the light of the moon, to your shelter in the desert - a Berber nomad tent, hand-woven from camel hair.
The camels are hobbled, on arrival at your desert camp, and mint tea is served. After an evening meal, of freshly prepared tagine, it is usual for the camel guides to sing Berber folklore songs under a star-filled African night sky.
Wake early to greet the sunrise and camel trek back across the desert to breakfast and depart. Or continue camel trekking in Erg Chebbi, with your local Berber guide, for another day or days. See 'Camel Trekking in Morocco Tours' for more information.
Page TopDesert Tour Options from Marrakech
Our 'Tea in the Sahara' desert tours from Marrakech are one of our most popular 4x4 safaris and a great introduction to Morocco in two, three, four, five days or more.
Two day round trips reach the small dunes at Zagora and this is a good option for anyone with limited time or families with children who do not want to travel long distances but would still like a camel trek and sleepover in a Berber tent.
Three day round trips reach the tall Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. However, please note that it is a 10 hour drive each way from Marrakech and, on a 3 day trip, you will have one long day's drive. If you have time I recommend a 4 day trip that breaks your journey each way.
On a four day round trip to the Erg Chebbi at Merzouga you would normally break your journey each way. However, you can amend the itinerary to spend 2 nights in the desert and drive direct to Marrakech on Day 4; or add in another day to allow a full day to explore Merzouga and the desert region of Erg Chebbi.
A five day round trip gives you the time and opportunity to visit the dunes of Erg Chigaga at Mhamid and spend two nights and a full day exploring this desert wilderness.
Note: A Tea in the Sahara Tour from Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech is another great way to see and experience the best of what Morocco has to offer.
Page TopNew Year 5 day Desert Tour to the Sahara!
Our 4x4 Desert Adventure starts in Marrakech. Journey across the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas mountain pass and along the Draa River Valley. Visit the towns of Adgz, Zagora and Tamegroute on your way to the desert town of M’hamid. Cross a protected desert wilderness to reach the sand dunes of the Erg Chigaga and ride a camel in the Sahara. Dance to the rhythms of the desert and celebrate New Year Eve around a camp fire under a star-filled African night sky. See 'New Year Eve Desert Tour' for more information.
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Tour Price Guide
The cost of a private tour, in your own 4x4 with aircon and a local Moroccan driver, depends:
- The number in your party e.g. couple, group of friends or family
- The number of days
- Preferred hotels and activities
- Family rates available
Price guide per person for private tours:
- 1 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 400 Moroccan Dirhams
- 2 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 1500 Moroccan Dirhams
- 3 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 2800 Moroccan Dirhams
- 4 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 3400D Moroccan Dirhams
- 5 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 4100 Moroccan Dirhams
- Contact us or a free ‘no-obligation’ quote
To convert Moroccan Dirhams into the currency of your choice: 'Currency Converter'.
Testimonials
"We had an amazing experience in Morocco. Our Berber driver and guide Abdoullah kept us safe and became almost like one of the family. With his help, we learned so much, not only about the stunning country that is Morocco, but more importantly, about its people. Warm, friendly, hospitable and dignified ... we were blown away. Our visit to the desert nomads still brings tears to our eyes. If you want to see and experience real life at first hand, organise a trip with Authentic Morocco."
"Everything was great, Hassan our driver was lovely and very helpful. The dessert was amazing, slept outside under the stars. It was great to learn more on the Moroccan culture and the people were all very welcoming. I would recommend this trip to anyone going to Morocco. Thanks for everything."
"I just returned from Morocco today and had a fantastic time! I really enjoyed the mountain/desert trip and was very impressed with how well it was organised. Our trip was made even better by our driver Khalid who was extremely nice to us and even invited us over to his family's house for dinner. He definitely made the trip more personal and gave us an insight into Morocco that we may not have had if it wasn't for him. Thank you so much for an enjoyable trip!"
"We had such a great time on the camel trek in Zagora! The baby LOVED the camels and conveniently fell asleep for most of the trek into the desert and out. I was glad we did not have a longer trek - all of us had sore muscles after just a couple of hours! The dinner was delicious, the music was great, breakfast was a treat. We loved our guide Said - he really did everything he could to accommodate us on our trip. Thank you for helping us have a unique Moroccan experience!"
"Thanks very much for the itinerary that you planned. We truly had a very enjoyable time and Hassan was great as a companion and guide throughout the trip; I do have to say the desert trip and the camel trekking in Erg Chebbi was definitely the highlight for us."
"We had an absolutely amazing time in Morocco. Abdoullah, Hami, Lafit, Khalid, Ali, all took such good care of us. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I can't thank you enough! A bientot."
"Magnificent!"
