Day trips
Agafay desert: camel ride, quads and dinner under the stars
The desert 45 minutes from Marrakech: camels or quads at sunset, then dinner and music in a desert camp.
Your riad or hotel in MarrakechPrice on request
Short on time?
A desert trip from Marrakech in 1 or 2 days
The stony desert of Agafay for an evening, or real dunes in Zagora over two days: how to see the desert from Marrakech when time is short.
Short desert tripsNot everyone has three days for Merzouga. The good news: you can still experience the desert from Marrakech in a single afternoon or an overnight trip.
The two options are very different, so here is how to choose.
Short desert trips
Multi-day tours
2-day Zagora desert tour from Marrakech
The Sahara in two days: Ait Ben Haddou, the Draa Valley palm groves, a camel ride at sunset and a night in a desert camp.
Marrakech (riad, hotel or airport)Price on request
Multi-day tours
3-day Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech
Kasbahs, the Dades and Todra gorges, then a camel trek into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and a night in a Sahara camp.
Marrakech at 8:00 (riad, hotel or airport)Price on request
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One day: the Agafay desert
Just 45 minutes from Marrakech, Agafay is a stony desert of bare hills with the Atlas on the horizon. Spend the afternoon on a camel, a horse or a quad, watch the sunset, then have dinner in a desert camp before heading back to the city. No sand dunes, but a real desert atmosphere with no long drive.
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Two days: the dunes of Zagora
For sand dunes and a night under the stars, Zagora is the closest option, about 7 hours away across the High Atlas. The trip includes Ait Ben Haddou, the palm groves of the Draa Valley, a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp. Long drives, but a complete desert experience.
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Three days or more: Merzouga
If you can stretch to three days, the dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga are the most spectacular in Morocco, and the route through the Dades and Todra gorges is unforgettable.
Questions travellers ask
Can I see sand dunes on a day trip from Marrakech?
Not really: the nearest real dunes are in Zagora, too far for a return trip in a day. Agafay offers a desert landscape of stony hills within 45 minutes.
Is the 2-day Zagora trip worth it?
Yes, if you only have two days: the drive is long but beautiful, and the evening in the dunes is the highlight of many trips.
Can we stay overnight in Agafay?
Yes, several comfortable camps welcome guests for the night, and we can arrange the transfers.
Find your desert escape
Tell us how much time you have and we will suggest the best desert option from Marrakech.