Our organised 4x4 'Tea in the Sahara' Morocco Desert Tours vary from as little as 2 days to 5 days and longer. All desert tours head to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga or the desert wilderness of Erg Chigaga from Mhamid and camel trekking is optional. Most clients choose to journey across the desert on their camels to reach a nomad-tented camp where dinner is served under the stars however, if you prefer, sleep in a hotel at the dune line. That said, Erg Chigaga only offers desert camps in the dunes.

Authentic Desert Tours of Morocco and 4x4 Sahara excursions run from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir, Ouarzazate, Fes to Marrakech, Marrakech to Fes or elsewhere on request. Our tailor made Morocco Tours, in Toyota Land Cruisers with driver, are suitable for couples, friends, large or small groups and family tours with children.

Quick Links for ‘Tea in the Sahara’ Morocco Desert Tours

• Which Dunes? Erg Chebbi vs. Erg Chigaga
• Morocco Desert Tours to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Dunes
• Morocco Desert Tours to M’hamid and the Erg Chigaga Dunes
• Overnight Camel Treks - What to Expect
• Suggested Itinerary – Marrakech Desert Tour
• Suggested Itinerary – Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
• Suggested Itinerary – Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour
• Bonded Morocco Tours – Pricing, Confirmation and Payment
• Testimonials

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Which Dunes? Erg Chebbi vs. Erg Chigaga

There are two significant sand masses (ergs) in Morocco with high desert dunes: the Erg Chebbi at Merzouga and the Erg Chigaga at Mhamid. In addition there are smaller dunes around Zagora.

The Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga are accessible from Marrakech, Fes, Agadir, Casablanca and Ouarzazate.

The Erg Chigaga sand dunes at M’hamid are accessible from Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca and Ouarzazate.

The smaller dunes at Zagora are recommended if you have limited time or want to keep travel times to a minimum e.g. family tours. Whilst a great introduction to Morocco, in 2 or 3 days from Marrakech, Zagora does not offer the same 'desert’ experience.

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Morocco Desert Tours to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Dunes

The Erg Chebbi dunes, close to the village of Merzouga, are accessible from Marrakech, Fes and Ouarzazate. They can also be reached from Tangier, Casablanca and Agadir.

For a Marrakech to Marrakech, Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech desert trip we recommend at least 4 days to break the journey each way and discover the sites along the route – a 3 day tour involves one very long day’s drive (10hrs). For a desert tour from Ouarzazate we recommend 3 days and 2 nights.

Our 'Tea in the Sahara' desert tours to Merzouga can include the following highlights:

• 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
• Rose Valley (Kelaa Mgouna); buy a garland of roses in Spring
• Valley of Dades Gorge with ruined hilltop kasbahs
• Todra Gorge, the highest gorge in Morocco; just 20m wide
• Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs
• Traditional Berber souk; buy tagine spices
• Overnight Erg Chebbi camel treks from Merzouga to sleep in the dunes
• Sunset Erg Chebbi camel rides with a night in a hotel at the dune line
• Fossil Mines; hunt for your own fossil
• Seasonal lakes around Merzouga; if the rains arrive
• Gnawa Musicians; dance to the rhythm of the desert
• Old Caravan Trade Route through Ounila Valley
• Abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Pasha of Marrakech

Merzouga and Erg Chebbi Camel Treks: 'Erg Chebbi Camel Treks'

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Morocco Desert Tours to M’hamid and the Erg Chigaga Dunes

The Erg Chigaga dunes, close to the desert town of M’hamid, are accessible from Marrakech and Ouarzazate. They can also be reached from Casablanca and Agadir.

For a Marrakech to Marrakech trip we recommend at least five days so you can travel at your leisure, break the journey each way to discover the sites along the route, and spend a full day and two nights in the desert. From Ouarzazate we recommend four days.

We believe that the most authentic desert experience is available on Morocco desert tours to the dunes of the Erg Chigaga, a protected desert wilderness that is home to the semi-nomadic Ait Atta Berbers who live here. This 4x4 desert adventure safari, with some off-road driving, can include the following highlights:

• 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
• Tamegrout and Zagora
• An experience of desert life – nomad wells, school and families
• Sunset Erg Chigaga camel trekking
• one night or two nights under the stars at a comfortable desert camp
• 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 War Lord and Pasha of Marrakech

M’hamid and Erg Chigaga Camel Treks: 'Erg Chigaga Camel Treks'

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Overnight Camel Treks: What to Expect

Camel trekking in Morocco, across the soft curves of the sand dunes of the Sahara, is the highlight of many holidays in Morocco. For 1 night ‘overnight’ Erg Chebbi camel treks, meet your desert guide at the edge of the dunes and camel trek for around 1.5hrs to our nomad-tented desert bivouac camp where accommodation is in traditional brown woven goat hair tents.

On arrival the camels are hobbled, mint tea is served and dinner is freshly prepared and served under the stars. Whilst waiting for supper, there is time to relax.

Wake early to climb a dune and, in the pre-dawn stillness, wait for the sun to rise. Return to camp, pack up and camel trek back to the hotel at the dune line to shower and breakfast. Or, if you wish, spend another day or two trekking with your desert guide.

A personal account of Camel Trekking in Morocco: 'Morocco Camel Treks'

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Suggested Itinerary – Marrakech Desert Tours to Erg Chebbi

Below is one of the suggested itineraries for a Marrakech desert tour that includes the Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga. Please contact us for an itinerary if you would prefer to visit the Erg Chigaga dunes.

I would advise you that it is a 10hrs drive each way from Marrakech although, on a 4-day trip, you break the journey each way to restrict the time spent in a vehicle. On a 3-day trip you drive from Merzouga to Marrakech on Day 3 with ten hours in the vehicle.

If you would like to add in another day:

• Spend a full day exploring the desert environment with your driver e.g. seasonal lakes, Gnawa musicians, Merzouga village and perhaps Rissani souk
• Spend a night in a Berber family guesthouse in the High Atlas with a half day walk in the mountains
• Return to Marrakech along a route south of the Jbel Sarhro, via Ncob, to include the Draa River Valley or drive off road across the Tizi-n-Tazzazert
• Spend a night in the region of the Todra Gorge

Day 1 – Marrakech to Kelaa Mgouna (Rose Valley) via Tizi-n-Tichka

Transfer across the Atlas Mountains, via the Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass, to Kelaa Mgouna. Pass through Ouarzazate, Skoura and Rose Valley where, in April and May, Berber children line the route selling garlands of the highly perfumed roses grown in the hedgerows.

Day 2 – Kelaa Mgouna to Merzouga. Erg Chebbi Camel Trek

Ttransfer to Merzouga via Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes and meet your desert guide. Camel trek for 1-2 hrs across the sandy dunes to reach your desert camp where the camels are hobbled, mint tea is served and dinner is freshly prepared and served under the stars.

Note: there are no facilities inside the Erg Chebbi deep desert dunes where we have our own small camp. Another option is an evening camel ride and a night in a hotel (room or tent) at the dune line. Most clients however prefer the camel trek for the experience of journeying across the sandy desert dunes to a desert camp and nomad tent for the night. There is also the option of a ‘luxury’ camp at the dune line with private facilities.

Day 3 – Return Camel Trek. Merzouga to Skoura via Todra Gorge

Wake early to see the sunrise and return across the desert on your camels to shower and depart. Transfer to Skoura Palm Grove with a detour to visit Todra Gorge, the highest oasis valley gorge in Morocco.

Day 4 – Skoura to Marrakech via Ait Benhaddou and Telouet

Transfer to Ait Benhaddou and visit the World Heritage Site, one of Morocco’s most spectacular ksours (fortified villages). Continue to Marrakech with a detour to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and visit the Kasbah el Glaoui. Lunch in Telouet and return across the Tizi-n-Tichka to Marrakech.

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Suggested Itinerary – Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours

Below is one of the suggested itineraries for a Marrakech to Fes desert tour that includes the Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga.

I would advise you that it is a 10hrs drive from Marrakech to Merzouga and a 7hrs drive from Merzouga to Fes. If you would like to add in another day to slow down the pace:

• Break the drive between Skoura and Merzouga in the region of the Todra Gorge
• Spend a full day exploring the desert environment with your driver e.g. seasonal lakes, Gnawa musicians, Merzouga village and perhaps Rissani souk
• Get off the beaten track for a day and take the piste (off-road) across the Tizi-n-Tazzazert in the Jbel Sarhro
• Break the drive to Fes in Azrou with a half day hike in the cedar forests

Day 1 – Marrakech to Skoura Palm Grove via Telouet and Ait Benhaddou

Transfer across the highest Atlas road pass of Tizi-n-Tichka to Skoura. Detour along the route to visit the traditional Berber Village of Telouet, and the Kasbah of el Glaoui, before driving through the Ounila Valley to Ait Benhaddou. Visit the Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco’s most spectacular ksours (fortified villages). Continue through Ouarzazate to Skoura.

Day 2 – Skoura to Merzouga via Todra Gorge. Erg Chebbi Camel Trek

Transfer to Merzouga and the sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi sand sea. Along the route pass through Kelaa Mgouna (valley of the roses) and leave the main route at Tinghir to see the Todra gorge, the highest gorge in Morocco. Late afternoon camel trek with a desert guide for 1-2hrs to a desert camp where the camels are hobbled, mint tea is served and dinner is freshly prepared and served under the stars.

Note: there are no facilities inside the Erg Chebbi deep desert dunes where we have our own small camp. Another option is an evening camel ride and a night in a hotel (room or tent) at the dune line. Most clients however prefer the camel trek for the experience of journeying across the sandy desert dunes to a desert camp and nomad tent for the night. There is also the option of a ‘luxury’ camp at the dune line with private facilities.

Day 3 – Merzouga to Fes via Ziz Valley, Azrou and Cedar Forests

Rise early to watch the sunrise and camel trek back across the dunes to shower and prepare for departure. Transfer north to Fes via the Ziz valley gorge, Middle Atlas, cedar forests, Azrou and Ifrane. It’s an interesting route with a stop for lunch, usually around Midelt. Drop off in Fes early evening.

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Suggested Itinerary – Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours

Below is one of the suggested itineraries for a Fes to Marrakech desert tour that includes the Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga.

I would advise you that it is a 7hrs drive from Fes to Merzouga and a 10hrs drive from Merzouga to Marrakech. If you would like to add in another day to slow down the pace:

• Break the drive to Merzouga in Azrou with a half day hike in the cedar forests
• Spend a full day exploring the desert environment with your driver e.g. seasonal lakes, Gnawa musicians, Merzouga village and perhaps Rissani souk
• Break the drive between Merzouga and Skoura in the region of the Todra Gorge
• Get off the beaten track for a day and take the piste (off-road) across the Tizi-n-Tazzazert in the Jbel Sarhro

Day 1 – Fes to Merzouga. Erg Chebbi Camel trek

Transfer to Merzouga via Azrou, cedar forests and the Ziz valley gorge. It’s an interesting route with a stop for lunch. Arrive in Merzouga at the edge of the Erg Chebbi sand sea to meet your desert guide and the camels that will carry you across the sandy dunes of the Moroccan Sahara (1.5-2hrs trek) to a nomad-tented desert camp where the camels are hobbled, mint tea is served, and dinner is freshly prepared to be served under the stars.

Note: there are no facilities inside the Erg Chebbi deep desert dunes where we have our own small camp. Another option is an evening camel ride and a night in a hotel (room or tent) at the dune line. Most clients however prefer the camel trek for the experience of journeying across the sandy desert dunes to a desert camp and nomad tent for the night. There is also the option of a ‘luxury’ camp at the dune line with private facilities.

Day 2 – Merzouga to Skoura via Todra Gorge and Kelaa Mgouna

Rise early to watch the sunrise and camel trek back across the dunes to shower and prepare for departure. Transfer to Skoura with a detour at Tinghir to see the Todra Gorge, Boumalne Dades and Kelaa Mgouna (Rose Valley)

Day 3 – Skoura to Marrakech via Ait Benhaddou and Telouet

Transfer to Marrakech with detours to visit the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco’s most spectacular ksours (fortified villages), and the Kasbah of el Glaoui in Telouet. Drive across the highest Atlas road pass of Tizi-n-Tichka to Marrakech.

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Bonded Morocco Tours – Pricing, Confirmation and Payment

Please refer to: 'Private Morocco Tours - Pricing'

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Testimonials

To read our clients’ feedback please refer to: 'Tours of Morocco - Testimonials'