Our Morocco desert tours take you from the big cities to the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a night in a private tent at our own camp. We are Morocco Desert Excursions, a local company founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga. We run Morocco desert tours to the Erg Chebbi dunes from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Tangier and Errachidia — private or shared, from two days to two weeks. Every trip includes a night at our desert camp, where each tent is private and has its own shower and toilet. Use the route finder below to find your tour, then send us your dates for a quote.
Many routes pass the earthen village of Aït Ben Haddou, listed by UNESCO as the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, so it is worth reading about it before you go.
Check availability & get a quote · Ask on WhatsApp: +212 667 850 421
Find your desert tour
Choose where you start and how many days you have. Each link takes you to the full itinerary or a page with all options for that route.
| Starting from | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6–14 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech → back to Marrakech | 2-day trip | 3-day private · 3-day shared | 4-day | 5-day, 2 desert nights | — |
| Marrakech → Fes | 2-day | 3-day private · 3-day shared | 4-day | 5-day | 6 days to Chefchaouen |
| Fes → Marrakech | 2-day | 3-day private · 3-day shared | 4-day | 5-day | — |
| Fes → Merzouga (and back) | 2-day round trip | 3-day | 4-day via Todra | — | — |
| Casablanca | — | — | 4 days to Marrakech | — | 7 days · 10 days · 14 days |
| Tangier | — | — | — | 5 days to Marrakech | 7 days, 2 desert nights |
| Errachidia (fly in) | See short trips from the airport |
Browse by starting point: Marrakech desert tours · Marrakech to Fes desert tours · Fes to Marrakech desert tours · Fes to Merzouga tours · Tours from Casablanca · Tours from Tangier · Errachidia desert tours
Not sure how many days? Merzouga is a long way from the big cities: around 9–10 hours’ driving from Marrakech and 7.5–8.5 hours from Fes, before stops. Two-day trips are possible but mostly spent in the vehicle. For most people, three or four days give a better balance of road and desert.
How our Morocco desert tours work
- Tell us your plans. Send your start city, dates, number of travellers and anything special (children, diet, mobility).
- Get a custom itinerary and quote. We reply with a day-by-day plan and a clear price. Nothing is charged at this stage.
- Confirm your booking. When you are happy, we confirm. [CONFIRM DEPOSIT % AND PAYMENT METHODS]
- Travel. Your driver picks you up from your accommodation and drops you off at the end.
There is no online checkout. Every tour is planned with you, so we can adjust stops, pace and accommodation before you commit. Terms are in our booking terms and conditions.
Private or shared?
Private tours: your own air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver, just for your party. You choose when to stop, how long to stay, and you can change the route on the way. Best for families, couples who want flexibility, and anyone with special needs. Browse private Morocco tours and multi-day itineraries.
Shared small-group tours: you share the vehicle and route with other travellers, which lowers the cost. You still get your own private room and your own private tent — we never put strangers together. The trade-off: fixed timings and stops, and less freedom to change plans. Browse shared desert tours.
Still deciding? Read our honest comparison: private vs shared desert tour in Morocco.
Our desert camp standard
We do not use basic desert camps with shared bathrooms. On every tour — private or shared — you sleep at Mouhou Luxury Camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, in a private tent with its own shower and toilet. Evenings include dinner and a campfire with Berber drum music. If a camel ride is difficult for you because of back or knee problems, we can take you to camp by 4×4 instead. See photos and details on our Merzouga desert camp page.
[CONFIRM: heating in winter, cooling in summer, electricity at camp]
What is included on our Morocco desert tours
Most multi-day tours include: – Pick-up from your accommodation and drop-off at the end – Modern air-conditioned 4×4 or comfortable minibus, fuel and road taxes – English-speaking driver – Hotels or riads on the way, plus a night at our desert camp – Camel trek in Erg Chebbi (or 4×4 transfer) – Breakfast and dinner every day; vegetarian and vegan on request – Campfire with Berber drum music
Not included: lunches (your driver suggests good local places), drinks, entrance fees and local guides where used [CONFIRM], tips and travel insurance (recommended). Bring cash in dirhams — card payment is limited in the south.
Each itinerary page lists the exact inclusions for that tour.
Why travel with a Merzouga team
- Founded by people from Merzouga. The desert is our home, not a stop on a schedule. Our base is in the village.
- One standard of camp. Private tents with en-suite bathrooms on every tour, including shared ones.
- Honest planning. We tell you how long the drives are, what the weather will be like, and what is a visit versus a photo stop.
- Flexible private tours. Change the pace, add a night, or start from a different city.
- Real people to talk to. WhatsApp us 8:30–20:00 Morocco time and you speak to our team.
[CONFIRM: years in business, licence number — add here only once verified]
Already in Merzouga, or adding extras?
If you reach Merzouga by bus or car, you can book a camel trek and camp night on their own, or add a 4×4 tour or quad ride to a free desert day [CONFIRM activities operated]. See things to do in Merzouga.
Staying in Marrakech before or after your desert trip? We also arrange day trips from Marrakech to places such as Aït Ben Haddou, Essaouira, Ouzoud and the Ourika Valley.
Prices
Prices depend on the route and number of days, private or shared, how many people travel together, the level of hotels or riads, and the season. Shared tours cost less per person; private tours cost less per person as your group grows. You will find a price guide on each tour page [CONFIRM PRICE RANGES], and we always send a full quote before you book.
When to go
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable seasons. Summer days in Merzouga often pass 40 °C, and winter nights in the desert can approach freezing, so we plan timings and packing with you. In snow or heavy rain, mountain routes may change.
What travellers say
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Frequently asked questions
Which city is best to start a desert tour from?
Marrakech and Fes are the most common. Many travellers go one-way between them, through Merzouga, so they see two cities and the desert without retracing their steps. If you are short on time, flying to Errachidia cuts the drive to about two hours.
Are your tours suitable for families with children?
Yes. On private tours we adapt the pace and stops for children, and the camp has private bathrooms. Tell us the children’s ages for an accurate quote [CONFIRM CHILD PRICING; child seats].
How many people are on a shared tour?
[CONFIRM MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE]. You share the vehicle, but your room and tent are always private.
Do shared tours leave on fixed days?
[CONFIRM SHARED DEPARTURE DAYS]. Ask us for the next dates on your route.
Can I pay by card?
There is no online checkout; payment details are given with your quote [CONFIRM PAYMENT METHODS]. During the trip, bring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips.
Do you offer tours in French?
Our main language is English, and we answer in French too [CONFIRM French-speaking drivers available]. Nous répondons aussi en français.
How to choose between our Morocco desert tours
Start with three simple questions: where you arrive, where you fly home from, and how many days you can give to the desert. Those answers narrow most Morocco desert tours down to two or three options, and the route finder above does the rest.
Start and finish city
If you fly in and out of Marrakech, a round trip from Marrakech is the simplest choice. If you arrive in one city and leave from another, a one-way route between Marrakech and Fes means you never drive the same road twice. Travellers coming by ferry from Spain often start in Tangier, and many long-haul flights land in Casablanca.
Days available
Count the full days you have between arrival and departure. Two days reach the dunes but leave little time for anything else. Three or four days are the most popular length for Morocco desert tours, because you sleep once on the way and reach the dunes rested. With five days or more, you can add a second desert night or travel at a slower pace.
Pace and comfort
Be honest about how you feel after long car journeys. If six hours in a vehicle already sounds like a lot, choose a longer itinerary with shorter days. Ask us when you are unsure. We would rather suggest an extra day than sell you a trip you do not enjoy.
What a typical day on the road looks like
Most driving days follow a similar rhythm. Knowing it in advance helps you plan your energy, your snacks and your camera battery.
- Morning: breakfast at your riad, hotel or camp, then departure. Early starts are common on the longest days.
- Mid-morning: a coffee or viewpoint stop, often in the mountains.
- Lunch: usually around 13:00 at a local restaurant your driver knows (paid locally).
- Afternoon: one or two visits, such as a gorge walk or a kasbah, plus short photo stops.
- Evening: arrival at your accommodation, dinner and time to rest.
On most Morocco desert tours, the day you reach Merzouga ends with a camel ride at sunset, so your driver plans the stops backwards from the time the sun goes down. If you want a longer break somewhere on that day, tell him in the morning.
Packing list for the Sahara
Desert weather changes a lot between day and night. Pack layers rather than one heavy coat.
- A warm fleece or jacket, even in spring and autumn
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a light scarf for wind and sand
- Comfortable closed shoes, plus sandals for the soft sand
- A small overnight bag for the camp night (your suitcase stays in the vehicle)
- A headtorch or phone torch for walking around camp after dark
- Any medicine you need, and motion-sickness tablets for the mountain roads
- Cash in dirhams, ideally in small notes
Packing light makes all Morocco desert tours easier, especially on routes where you change accommodation every night.
Month by month: what to expect in the desert
March to May
Pleasant days and cool nights. This is one of the busiest periods for Morocco desert tours, so we suggest contacting us early. Spring winds can raise dust on some afternoons.
June to August
Very hot in the south, with Merzouga often above 40 °C. We plan early starts, longer lunch breaks out of the sun and arrival at the dunes in the late afternoon. Nights at camp are warm.
September to November
Warm days that cool slowly through the season, and usually clear skies. Many travellers find October and November an ideal time for Morocco desert tours.
December to February
Sunny but short days, and cold desert nights that can approach freezing. Snow can close the High Atlas passes for a few hours. Bring warm clothes and expect us to adjust timings when needed. Winter is also the quietest season, with fewer visitors at the main sights.
Travelling respectfully in the south
The villages near the dunes are home to families who have lived there for generations, including our own. A little courtesy goes a long way.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women and children.
- Dress modestly in villages: covered shoulders and knees is a good rule.
- Take your rubbish back from the dunes, and avoid single-use plastic where you can.
- Buy lunch, crafts and small services from local people, so the money stays in the region.
We believe Morocco desert tours should benefit the people who live along the route, not only the companies that sell them. Simple choices like these make a real difference.
Health and safety on the road
- Breaks: our drivers know the mountain roads and stop regularly. If you need a break, just ask.
- Water: drink bottled water and keep some with you. It is easy to buy on the road.
- Sun: the desert sun is strong even when the air feels cool.
- Insurance: we recommend travel insurance that covers your whole trip.
If anyone in your group has a health condition, tell us when you ask for a quote. Many Morocco desert tours can be adapted, for example with a 4×4 transfer instead of a camel ride, or with shorter driving days.
Combining the desert with the rest of Morocco
The desert is rarely a whole holiday on its own. These are the combinations we plan most often:
- Marrakech, the desert and Fes: the classic one-way crossing, with the High Atlas on one side and the Middle Atlas on the other.
- Casablanca, the north and the desert: a longer loop that adds Rabat, Chefchaouen and a guided day in Fes. See tours from Casablanca.
- Tangier, Chefchaouen and the desert: ideal if you arrive from Spain. See tours from Tangier.
- The desert plus day trips: spend a few extra days in Marrakech and add day trips from Marrakech to the coast or the mountains.
Longer Morocco desert tours can include all of these, with rest days built in. Tell us what you want to see and we will suggest a realistic order.
More questions about our Morocco desert tours
How far ahead should I book?
For spring, autumn and holiday dates, earlier is better because riads and camp tents fill up [CONFIRM recommended lead time]. Outside busy periods, a few weeks is often enough, and short-notice requests are welcome.
Can I join if I am travelling alone?
Yes. Solo travellers can book a private tour or a seat on a shared tour. On a shared tour you still have your own room and your own tent (a solo traveller pays €230 on our shared tours). Many solo travellers find shared Morocco desert tours a relaxed way to meet other people.
Is there phone signal in the desert?
Mobile signal is usually available around Merzouga, though it can be weak in parts of the mountains [CONFIRM Wi-Fi at camp]. Download maps, music and books before you set off.
Do tours run during Ramadan?
Yes [CONFIRM]. Some roadside cafés close during daylight hours, but your driver knows where to stop, and hotels and the camp serve meals to guests as usual.
Can I bring a drone?
Drones need official permission in Morocco and can be held at customs on arrival, so we advise leaving yours at home.
How do I compare quotes from different companies?
When you compare Morocco desert tours, check the same points in each quote: private or shared, the type of camp and bathroom, the number of nights, which meals are included, and whether guides and entrance fees are covered. A much lower price often means a basic camp or a fuller vehicle.
Can you help if I am already in Morocco?
Yes. Send us your current city and dates on WhatsApp. If we have a driver and tents available, we can often arrange Morocco desert tours at short notice [CONFIRM minimum notice].
Plan your Sahara trip with us
Tell us where you start, how many days you have and how many are travelling. We reply with an itinerary and quote. – Ask on WhatsApp: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time) – Contact form: Check availability & get a quote – Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]