- MARRAKECH
- PRIVATE
- 2 DAYS
- HOTEL/RIAD/CAMP
- DINNER/BREAKFAST
BEST PRIVATE DESERT TRIP
2 Days Desert Tour Marrakech To Zagora
Sign up for this carefully designed 2 days desert trip from Marrakech to Zagora with a professional tour guide. Whether you are looking for a lifetime experience while coming to terms with the nomad style of life, learn about their culture & how they have shown endurance to adapt to the tough turbulences of life or you plan to escape the hassle & bustle of Marrakech while heading deep into the southern part of Morocco, then this short break is the right choice you can opt for.
You’ll have the chance to explore the majestic High Atlas Mountains, meander around the dramatic UNESCO listed village of Ait Benhaddou, drive through the lush palm valley of Draa, have a camel ride experience in the barren desert before culminating the whole experience with an overnight stay in our desert camp or under the stars.
We can normally pick you up from your Hotel/Riad at 08 am, so we would appreciate it if you provide us with the accurate address of your accommodation so that we can reach easily, particularly if you are staying in a Riad in the heart of Marrakech Medina. We could sometimes arrange to meet up with you by the Cafe de France in the Square of Jemaa El-Fna if the Riad you are staying is not providing an accurate address.
– Learn about the “Berber” Amazigh culture & how they have preserved the deep-seated culture of Morocco.
– Visit the majestic village of Ait Benhaddou with its UNESCO listed Kasbahs (fortresses).
– Cross the old volcanic mountains of the Anti-Atlas with its geological formations.
– Drive along the Draa River and the palm valley of Draa.
– Have a camel ride experience in the barren desert.
– Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars followed by time of entertainment.
– Visit the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate & the Kasbah of Taorirt.
Please, note that the desert trip to Zagora from Marrakech in 2 days/ 1 night incurs many hours of driving since it’s the nearest barren desert from Marrakech; however, you may want to opt for the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga in case you want to experience the real Sahara Desert.
Look it up on the map
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech - High Atlas - Ait Benhaddou - Zagora
- 6 Hours Drive
- 352 Kms/218.72 Miles
- Dinner/Breakfast are Included
After having breakfast in your hotel/Riad, your private driver/guide will pick you up for a rewarding journey down to Zagora Desert. You’ll have an enjoyable drive through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains where you can learn about the deep-seated culture of the indigenous Amazigh “Berber” people. The small “Berber” Villages that are built in adobe & stones offer excellent opportunity for taking memorable pictures.
You’ll then drive through the Tizi N’Tichka Pass (2260 Meters/7414 Feet) turning it into the highest Pass in the north of Africa. Have a guided tour of the dramatic village of Ait Benhaddou that was listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The village consists of Kasbahs (fortresses) & is built by the Ounila River with high walls & cornered towers turning it into a strikingly unique architcture of the southern Morocco.
After lunch, you’ll continue on the track further south crossing the spectacular Anti-Atlas Mountains. These volcanic mountainous chain offer unique shapes caused by the geological formations. Drive the lush plam valley of Draa along the longest Draa Wadi in Morocco before reaching our final destination of today, which Zagora city.
Have a camel ride experience in the barren & pebbly desert heading to our desert camp. Upon arrival, a warm welcome with refreshing mint tea before enjoying a nice dinner served under the stars or inside the tented restaurant. After dinner, you may want to climb the nearby dune to watch the stars & enjoy the magical views before culminating the whole experience with a relaxing sleep under the stars or inside your tent.
- Acommodation Options
Day 2: Zagora - Agdz - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
- 6 Hours Drive
- 352 Kms/218.72 Miles
Early wake up in the morning to attend the stunning view of the sunrise atop the hill, enjoy your breakfast under the sunlight. You may want to take a shower before heading to our meeting by camel or we can pick you up by car from the camp. You’ll drive back to Marrakech following the same route & when arriving to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa), you may want to include a guided tour of the Taorirt Kasbah, which is located in the heart of the city.
En route, you may also want to include a visit to the Atlas Film Studios to learn about the Hollywood Movies that were shot here including Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and many others. Continue on the track back to Marrakech driving crossing the High Atlas Mountains while including numerous stops for you to chill out, use the bathroom, have a meal or for taking pictures. You’ll arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon.
As always, once we arrive in Marrakech we will make sure to drop you off in the nearest location to your accommodation; however, if your Riad is in the very heart of the Medina, which is inaccessible by car, we will have you covered as we will arrange with the staff members of the Riad you are staying in to meet up with us in a designated point so that you they can escort you to your accommodation hassle-free…
Gallery
Included
- Minivan, 4WD or Minbus for transportation
- English speaking driver/guide
- Fuel & tolls
- Camel ride experience for the sunset
- Dinner & breakfast are included
- Local taxes
- Unique experiences
Not Inluded
- Lunch on the way
- Beverages
- Tips when appropriate
- Admission fee to attractions if any
- Extras
FAQs
Is this a private tour?
We certainly believe that the best way to dive deep in the Moroccan culture is through private tours. You can stop whenever & wherever you like while learning at your own pace. Shared tours tend to cramp travelers & you are controlled to follow a certain planned itinerary.
Does the tour to Zagora includes lots of driving?
Zagora Desert remains the closest desert experience one can opt for from Marrakech if you are short of time. However, you can go with the private 3 or 4 days desert tour to Erg Chebbi from Marrakech.
Are there any sand dunes in Zagora Desert?
The Desert of Zagora is a flat barren & rocky desert with a small sand dune by the desert camp. The real sand dunes are located either in Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga.
What should I pack when I travel to the desert?
On your next Morocco desert tour, make sure you pack the following
- Long hiking pants – it enhances your comfort while riding on the camel
- Long sleeve shirt to keep your skin protected from the scorching heat.
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Scarf or headband
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera
Shall we bring our towels with us?
If you choose the standard desert camp, yes please, as well as your shower condiments. For the luxury camp, they are supplied in your tent. There is no need to bring them with you.
