What To Expect On A 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
Thinking about crossing the Sahara Desert? Read on to learn more!
If you have a strong sense of adventure, then a Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech, Morocco, should be at the top of your bucket list of things to do.
I visited the Sahara Desert on a 3-day trip from Marrakech, and it was indeed an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure, filled with breathtaking landscapes and a real sense of awe-inspiring vastness.
I’ve put together this blog post, drawing on my own experience, sharing the itinerary of my tour, including locations you’ll visit on the way to the desert and more.
Plan Your Trip With My Recommended Resources:
🚆Bus or Train: Bookaway is a great resource for tickets
🏨 Accommodation: I always use Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Discover Cars has the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Kiwi.com has the best prices on flights
📱eSIM: Airalo has a fantastic range of eSIMs
Is A Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech Worth It?
The answer is undoubtedly yes! Spending an entire three days is a great way to visit off-the-beaten-track locations and historical destinations in Morocco that you normally don’t get to see.
And the experience of crossing the Sahara Desert while riding a camel is something I’ll never forget; it’s a real adventure and then some.
Seeing the seemingly endless golden dunes in every direction for miles to see left me speechless and inspired.
➡️ Experience a 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
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There is simply nothing quite like visiting the Sahara Desert. It trumps every other destination in this fascinating country, in my humble opinion.
I’ve visited other desert locations such as Wadi Rum in Jordan, which is special in its own way. But the Sahara Desert is truly magical.
What To Expect On A Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
Before detailing the itinerary for a 3-day Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech, let me tell you what I loved and didn’t love so much about the experience:
What I loved about my Sahara Desert tour
So what was my honest experience like at the Sahara Desert? The short answer is easy – I loved it! The Sahara Desert experience itself is a magical, unforgettable experience unlike any other.
Riding a camel over the dunes during both the sunset and then the following sunrise underneath the clear stars overhead is an awe-inspiring thing to witness and something you won’t forget in a hurry.
The dramatic sand dune landscape and sheer vastness and scale of the desert is unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited and is simply awe-inspiring.
What I didn’t enjoy about my Sahara Desert tour
Although I absolutely loved my 3-day tour of the Sahara Desert from Marrakech, there were a few minor things that I didn’t love so much. Firstly, it is a long way to reach Merzouga, the small town in the Sahara Desert.
Expect a near 9-hour ride from Marrakech, which is undeniably exhausting (although there are plenty of stops along the way and you do spend the night at a lovely hotel).
Another negative is the basic accommodation when sleeping overnight in the Sahara Desert. You’ll be staying at a Bedouin camp, which, although authentic, is not exactly a 5-star hotel experience.
And if you’re not familiar with riding camels, then you might be somewhat overwhelmed and nervous by the prospect. They’re not known to be the friendliest of creatures to ride on, so consider this a warning!
3-Day Sahara Desert Tour Itinerary
Now, let’s deep dive into my itinerary to the Sahara Desert, and what you can expect during your journey to this amazing destination:
Day 1: Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou and Dadès Gorges
The first day on your epic journey on a Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech is mostly spent in a minivan or coach as you cross the impressive Moroccan landscape.
There are several locations where you can be picked up in central Marrakech or the surrounding areas.
This was an early start and there is a long travel day ahead, and my transportation was a small minivan, which was basic but comfortable.
Expect to make friends quickly with your fellow tourists. You’ll spend a lot of time with them during the long journey, and of course, share a unique experience over the coming few days.
It’s a bonding experience with strangers who will soon become friends in no time, and expect an eclectic group from several different countries around the world.
👉 Read my Perfect Travel Guide to Morocco here:
The Perfect 10 Day Morocco Itinerary: From Tangier To Marrakech
Driving through the High Atlas Mountains
Although Day 1 is a long day of travel, you do get to stop off at some really interesting sights along the way. Firstly, you will criss-cross through the high Atlas Mountains, which have some absolutely stunning views.
Your transport will stop for a short break to allow you to take some photos of the stunning scenery. The High Atlas Mountains are a breathtaking sight to behold; I was astonished by the panorama of the terrain on show here.
Ait Benhaddou
The next stop is at Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village, where the buildings are made of red clay bricks. I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating place, despite the extreme heat (it was August after all!).
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s most visited tourist destinations. It has been featured in several Hollywood movies, including: ‘Gladiator’ and ‘The Mummy’.
It’s an intriguing location to explore for an hour or so, and you’ll have a traditional lunch nearby, either meat or vegetable tagine.
Dadès Gorges
Day 1 will conclude at the Dadès Gorges, an amazing valley of rugged gorges in central Morocco. The views of the stunning, rugged gorge were undeniably impressive.
You’ll spend the night close to the Dadès Gorges at a nice hotel where you can rest and enjoy the views of the gorges nearby.
👉 Read my Winter Guide to Morocco here:
Is It A Good Idea To Visit Morocco In Winter? Top Reasons To Visit
Day 2: Crossing the Sahara Desert
The actual crossing of the Sahara begins on Day 2. This day is what you’ve been looking forward to the entire trip, and it is filled with awe-inspiring sights that are simply unforgettable.
Reaching the Sahara Desert
After a few more hours of travel, you’ll eventually reach Merzouga, the small village at the heart of the Sahara Desert.
Here you’ll meet your guides across the desert: the Bedouin people. You’ll be asked to wear traditional Bedouin headgear and scarves to protect you from the sand during the desert excursion.
This clothing may feel strange at first, but you’ll soon adapt, and it’s all a part of embracing the local culture.
Camel riding at Sunset
The camel ride across the Sahara Desert is arguably the most memorable and awe-inspiring adventure I’ve ever had during all my years as a traveller.
Some people are a little nervous around camels and understandably so. Riding a camel is daunting for sure (and somewhat uncomfortable!), but it’s something you just have to get over.
The actual camel ride lasts around an hour or so, crossing over an endless sea of dunes until you reach your Bedouin camp, which will be home for the night.
The sun begins to set during the camel ride, making for some stunning views unlike any other. Although taking photos while riding a camel is far from easy!
During the ride, you’ll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the awe-inspiring landscape of the Sahara. The vast sand dunes are a sight you’ll never get bored looking at. You feel like you’re on a movie set at times, it’s that special!
Spending the night at a Bedouin camp
So what’s it like spending the night at a Bedouin camp?
In my experience, I found the Bedouins to be very friendly hosts who provide various camp activities, such as playing traditional songs, which you can participate in with their drums.
This was really the only form of entertainment as night descended and the temperature dropped. It’s all good fun, and it feels surreal when you stop and take in your surroundings.
A meal is provided, which is again usually meat or vegetable cuisine.
As mentioned previously, don’t expect a lot when it comes to the accommodation. It’s very basic and not great conditions, but you’ll most likely be too tired to care by this point!
👉 Read my 2-Day Guide to Marrakech here:
Is 2 Days In Marrakech Enough? A Guide To Morocco’s Best City
Day 3: Sunrise over the desert and return journey
The final day of your Sahara crossing begins with another camel ride, but this one takes place before dusk and under the blanket of stars.
Riding a camel with the stars still visible in the sky and then watching the sunrise was somehow even more magical than the previous day’s trek. Obviously, there is no air pollution in the desert, so the visibility of the stars overhead is excellent.
After crossing the Sahara at sunrise, it’s time to start the long coach journey all the way back to Marrakech. Yes, this is the exhausting part of the trip after the adventure is over. There’s no denying that it’s tiring but it is definitely worth it!
Sahara Desert from Morocco FAQs
Still unsure whether you want to cross the Sahara Desert? Allow me to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this spectacular destination to help you decide:
Can you do a day trip to the Sahara Desert?
No, it’s not possible due to the distance from Marrakech to the Sahara; a day trip there isn’t feasible.
It is possible to do a 2-day trip there, however, which still stops at the main locations listed in this blog post, but doesn’t include spending a night at a hotel.
This would feel slightly rushed in my opinion, and you would have a lot of travel in two days, but it’s worth considering if you’re short on time.
There are other day trips from Marrakech worth considering, such as the beautiful port city of Essaouira or the beach resort of Agadir.
Can you cross the Sahara Desert by car?
This is possible, and some people do hire a private driver to cross the full 249 miles of the Sahara Desert by car.
Drivers can use the Trans-Saharan highway, which is a basic, brutal and dangerous road to cross. So I definitely do not recommend it.
It would take, on average, around 9 hours to drive through the desert by car using this road, but I strongly advise against this option.
Can you walk across the Sahara Desert?
No, definitely not! Walking the entirety of the Sahara Desert would take several months and is just not a realistic option.
This is obviously not feasible and definitely not recommended. Only extremely committed and experienced adventurers should even consider such a feat.
Is it expensive to cross the Sahara Desert?
Not really! If you choose a reputable tour operator, the 3-day trip costs around £100, depending on which tour company you book with.
I think that is definitely good value for money considering everything that is included over the course of 3 days.
When is the best time to cross the Sahara Desert?
The best time to cross the Sahara Desert is during the spring or autumn months, as these are the periods of the year when the weather is most suitable.
❄️ Wintertime is definitely not a good idea, as temperatures can become freezing and sandstorms can happen frequently.
☀️ Summer time is also not ideal as temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius, making for a not too pleasant experience.
Ideally, May or October or close to these months would be the best time to go, when temperatures are not too hot or cold.
Conclusion: Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
Hopefully, this blog post has answered any doubts you may have about visiting the Sahara Desert.
This is truly a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience that I highly recommend. It is a long way to go and quite a tiring trip, but an absolute must when visiting Morocco.
Now you know it is worth going on a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech, what are you waiting for? Get ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime across the majestic, magical Sahara Desert.
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about Morocco:
➡️ Is Morocco Overrated? Everything You Should Know Before Visiting
➡️ Is Agadir Safe For Families? An Honest Review Of Morocco’s Beach Town
➡️How To Spend One Day in Chefchaouen: The Perfect Itinerary
➡️Is Agadir Worth Visiting? What I Loved (& Hated!) During My Trip
➡️My Honest Review Of A 4 Star Hotel In Agadir, Morocco
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
