Private tours · Marrakech departures
Marrakech Desert Tours: Private Trips to Zagora and Merzouga
Our Marrakech desert tours are private trips of 2 to 8 days: Zagora for the shortest desert visit, Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes from 3 days, round trips back to Marrakech, and a one-way route ending in Fes.
Private Marrakech Desert Tours at a Glance
Only the 2-day tour goes to Zagora alone; the 3-, 4- and 5-day tours go to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes; the 6- and 8-day tours visit both; and one 3-day tour ends in Fes instead of Marrakech.
Every tour is private, with your own vehicle and driver-guide from Marrakech. They differ in desert, length, where they end and how many nights you spend near the dunes, so the quick guide below and the cards that follow are the fastest way to compare them.
Zagora
A shorter, rockier desert south of Ouarzazate, reachable in 2 days from Marrakech. Near Zagora, the Moroccan National Tourist Office points to the Tinfou dune, also called
"dune of the golden sand"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir
Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
Merzouga is the village; Erg Chebbi is the field of high dunes beside it. Allow at least 3 days from Marrakech. The tourist office calls Merzouga
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
Round trips
The 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-day tours all return to Marrakech.
One way to Fes
The 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour crosses the desert and ends in Fes.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou · Moroccan National Tourist Office, Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir · Moroccan National Tourist Office, Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga. Neither organisation endorses any tour operator.
Compare Marrakech Desert Tour Itineraries
There are seven private desert tours from Marrakech, from a 2-day Zagora trip to an 8-day southern circuit; each card links to the full day-by-day itinerary.
2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour
Marrakech → Zagora → Marrakech
- Desert
- Zagora (Drâa Valley)
- Ends in
- Marrakech
- Nights
- 1 night
- Desert stay
- Overnight in the Zagora area
The shortest desert trip from Marrakech: over the High Atlas and down the Drâa Valley to Zagora and back. Zagora is a rocky desert rather than the high dunes of Merzouga.
Price: request a private quote
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Round Trip
Marrakech → Dadès Gorges → Erg Chebbi → Marrakech
- Desert
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
- Ends in
- Marrakech
- Nights
- 2 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night
The fastest way to sleep in the Erg Chebbi dunes and return to Marrakech: Aït Ben Haddou, the Dadès and Todra gorges, then a sunset camel ride and a night at camp.
Price: request a private quote
3-Day Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
Marrakech → Dadès Valley → Erg Chebbi → Fes
- Desert
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
- Ends in
- Fes
- Nights
- 2 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night
A one-way crossing that turns the Marrakech–Fes transfer into a desert trip, with a night in the Dadès Valley and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Price: request a private quote
4-Day Marrakech Sahara Tour to Merzouga
Marrakech → Dadès → Erg Chebbi → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
- Desert
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
- Ends in
- Marrakech
- Nights
- 3 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night
The same desert night as the 3-day round trip, with the long drive home split by a night in Ouarzazate.
Price: request a private quote
5-Day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi with a Desert Day
Marrakech → Dadès → Merzouga → Erg Chebbi → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
- Desert
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
- Ends in
- Marrakech
- Nights
- 4 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night + 1 desert hotel night
Two nights around Merzouga with a full day exploring the desert, a Gnawa village and nomad families, and a split return via Ouarzazate.
Price: request a private quote
6-Day Desert Tour via Zagora and Merzouga
Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Zagora → Merzouga → Erg Chebbi → Dadès → Marrakech
- Desert
- Zagora and Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
- Ends in
- Marrakech
- Nights
- 5 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night
Both desert regions in one loop: the Drâa Valley and Zagora, then Merzouga with a full day and a camp night in Erg Chebbi, returning through the gorges.
Price: request a private quote
8-Day Marrakech to the Sahara via Merzouga and Zagora
Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Tinghir → Erg Chebbi → Zagora → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
- Desert
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi and Zagora
- Ends in
- Marrakech
- Nights
- 7 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night
The most complete southern loop from Marrakech, with nights in Ouarzazate, Tinghir, the Erg Chebbi dunes and Zagora, and a Spanish-speaking guide listed.
Price: request a private quote
Marrakech Desert Tour Packages Side by Side
The table compares each tour's length, desert, start and end city, desert-night type and the kind of traveller it suits.
| Tour | Duration | Desert | Start → end | Desert nights | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour | 2 days · 1 night | Zagora (Drâa Valley) | Marrakech → Marrakech | Overnight in the Zagora area | Short on time |
| 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Round Trip | 3 days · 2 nights | Merzouga / Erg Chebbi | Marrakech → Marrakech | 1 camp night | Big dunes, limited time |
| 3-Day Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga | 3 days · 2 nights | Merzouga / Erg Chebbi | Marrakech → Fes | 1 camp night | Continuing to Fes |
| 4-Day Marrakech Sahara Tour to Merzouga | 4 days · 3 nights | Merzouga / Erg Chebbi | Marrakech → Marrakech | 1 camp night | A gentler return drive |
| 5-Day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi with a Desert Day | 5 days · 4 nights | Merzouga / Erg Chebbi | Marrakech → Marrakech | 1 camp night + 1 desert hotel night | More time at the dunes |
| 6-Day Desert Tour via Zagora and Merzouga | 6 days · 5 nights | Zagora and Merzouga / Erg Chebbi | Marrakech → Marrakech | 1 camp night | Seeing both deserts |
| 8-Day Marrakech to the Sahara via Merzouga and Zagora | 8 days · 7 nights | Merzouga / Erg Chebbi and Zagora | Marrakech → Marrakech | 1 camp night | A full southern Morocco circuit |
How to Choose Your Marrakech Desert Tour
Choose by how much time you have, which desert you want to see, and whether you need to end in Marrakech or Fes.
Which Marrakech desert tour should I choose?
Choose the 3-day Merzouga round trip if you want the high Erg Chebbi dunes in the least time, the 2-day Zagora tour if you only have two days, or the 5-day tour if you want a full day in the desert.
How many days do I need for Merzouga?
You need at least three days for Merzouga from Marrakech, because the drive crosses the High Atlas and takes most of a day in each direction.
Is Zagora the same as Erg Chebbi?
No, Zagora and Erg Chebbi are different deserts: Zagora is in the Drâa Valley south of Ouarzazate, while Erg Chebbi is the dune field next to Merzouga in the east.
How much driving is involved?
Every Marrakech desert tour involves long driving days; longer tours spread the distance over more days, and the 4- and 5-day tours break the return with a night in Ouarzazate.
Should I choose a round trip or end in Fes?
Choose a round trip if you fly home from Marrakech, and the 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour if you are continuing your trip in Fes.
What will I see on the way?
On most routes you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and stop at Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site described as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
How many nights will I spend in a desert camp?
Each of these tours includes one camp night in the dunes, except the 2-day Zagora tour, whose overnight arrangement is shown on its tour page.
What a Private Marrakech Desert Tour Includes
Every tour on this page is private, with transport and a driver-guide from Marrakech; accommodation, meals, camel rides and excursions vary by itinerary, so check each tour's inclusions.
Most of the tours list dinner and breakfast, a camel ride and one night in a desert camp, and exclude lunches, drinks and entrance fees. Vehicle type, guide language and hotel standard differ between itineraries and are confirmed with your quote. You can ask about desert-camp accommodation, or ask to avoid camel riding, when you enquire; see our Merzouga desert page for camp options.
Why Travel with Moroccan Desert Trips
Moroccan Desert Trips is a local, Berber-run team that plans private desert journeys, speaks English, French and Spanish, and adapts routes to your plans.
Privately planned desert journeys
Only your group in the vehicle, with no fixed group departures.
Your own route from Marrakech
Change the length, stops or endpoint when you request a quote.
Desert journeys for couples and families
Private trips suited to couples, families and small groups.
Reviews you can check
Read what travellers say on our TripAdvisor page.
Marrakech Desert Tours FAQs
All our Marrakech desert tours are private, last 2 to 8 days, and go to Zagora, Merzouga or both.
Are these desert tours private?
Yes, every tour on this page is private. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver-guide.
What is the shortest desert tour from Marrakech?
The shortest is the 2-day Marrakech to Zagora tour. For the Erg Chebbi dunes, the shortest is the 3-day Merzouga round trip.
Do all Marrakech desert tours return to Marrakech?
No, one tour ends in Fes; the others return to Marrakech.
How much does a private desert tour cost?
The price depends on your dates, group size, route and accommodation, so we quote each tour individually. Request a private quote through the form.
Can I customise a tour?
Yes, you can change the length, stops, accommodation and endpoint. Tell us your plans when you enquire.
Do I have to ride a camel?
No, you can tell us if you'd prefer not to ride, and we'll explain the options for your tour.
What language does the driver-guide speak?
The guide language varies by tour, so tell us your preferred language when you enquire. Our team speaks English, French and Spanish.
How do I book?
You book by sending the form with your dates, group size and preferred tour. You can also email or WhatsApp us.
Private tour enquiry
Request a Marrakech Desert Tour Quote
To book, send us your travel dates, group size and preferred tour through the form, and we'll reply with a private itinerary and price.
What to include
- Your travel dates
- Number of travellers, and children's ages
- Preferred tour or length, and where you want to finish (Marrakech or Fes)
- Accommodation preferences
- Whether you'd prefer to avoid camel riding
How it works
- 1Send your detailsUse the form, email or WhatsApp.
- 2Get your proposalWe reply with a private itinerary and price.
- 3Adjust and confirmChange anything you like before you book.
Send your trip details
Private tours only — your group, your dates.
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Book a Private Marrakech Desert Tour
Choose a tour above or tell us your plans, and we'll design a private Sahara itinerary around them.