Overview: 2 days Desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora
2 days Marrakech to Zagora sahara is a perfect choice for travelers with limited time who still want to experience the beauty of the Sahara. The journey begins with a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains, offering breathtaking views and visits to traditional Berber villages. Along the way, you will explore the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique architecture and film history.
Afterwards, the tour continues through Ouarzazate and the lush Draa Valley, where palm groves and ancient kasbahs line the road. By late afternoon, you will reach the Zagora Desert, where a camel ride awaits. As the sun sets, you will ride across soft dunes and enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere.
In the evening, arrive at your desert camp, where a delicious traditional dinner is served around the campfire. While you dine, you can enjoy live Berber music and soak in the calm of the Sahara night. Finally, spend the night in a cozy private tent under a sky full of stars, completing an unforgettable desert experience.
Afterward, continue through the cinematic town of Ouarzazate, then head southeast toward Agdz, where the landscape shifts dramatically. As you journey onward, travel through the lush, palm-lined Draa Valley, a picturesque route filled with oases and mud-brick kasbahs.
Desert View
Experience a magical night beneath the starry sky in the Zagora Desert, beginning with a scenic camel ride over its gentle dunes. As the sun sets, the landscape glows in golden tones, creating a picture-perfect moment. Later, enjoy a delicious dinner by the campfire, accompanied by the rhythm of traditional Berber music, before settling into your private tent for a peaceful sleep under the quiet desert sky.
Explore Ouarzazate
Explore Ouarzazate, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara" and a famous film-making hub. Visit the impressive Taourirt Kasbah, once a strategic stop on the caravan route, and discover the Atlas Film Studios, where iconic movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. Surrounded by dramatic desert landscapes and historic kasbahs, Ouarzazate offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and cinematic charm.
Highlights: 2 days Desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
- Discover the desert town of Ouarzazate
- Drive through the Draa Valley
- Enjoy a sunset camel trek in Zagora sahara
- Spend a romantic night in a desert camp under the stars
- Experience traditional Berber music and local cuisine
Itinerary: 2 days Desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora sahara
FIRST DAY: Marrakech - High atlas - Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Zagora sahara desert
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Zagora
Your desert adventure begins early in the morning as you depart Marrakech and make your way through the majestic High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, enjoy stunning mountain views and pass traditional Berber villages nestled in the hills. Soon after, you’ll reach the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its striking architecture and role in many famous films. Take time to explore its ancient alleys and mud-brick buildings.
Next, continue toward Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where you’ll stop for a relaxing lunch. Afterwards, the journey continues south through the beautiful Draa Valley, known for its endless palm groves, fortified villages, and unique desert scenery.
By late afternoon, arrive in the Zagora Desert, where your camel trek begins. Ride across soft, rolling dunes as the sun sets, painting the landscape in golden tones. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner around the campfire with live Berber music, then settle into your cozy tent for a magical night under the stars.
SECOND DAY: Zagora desert - Anti atlas - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
After breakfast in the camp, ride your camel back to meet your driver and begin the return journey. Travel through the scenic Anti-Atlas Mountains toward Ouarzazate, then continue across the High Atlas Mountains with several stops for rest or photos. You’ll arrive back in Marrakech by early evening, ending your short but memorable desert experience.
This map shows Zagora desert, the final stop
Inclusion: 2 Days tour from Marrakech to Zagora
- Private transport in a comfortable A/C vehicle
- English/French/Spanish-speaking driver/guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Overnight stay in a traditional desert camp
- Sunset and sunrise camel trek in Zagora
- Private tent with dinner and breakfast at the camp
- Fuel, road tolls, and all local taxes
- Berber party around campfire
Exclusion: Desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora in 2 days
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Entance Fees to Sights
Good to know before booking this 2 days from Marrakech to Zagora sahara
Please note: Unlike Merzouga, which is famous for its high golden dunes, the Zagora Desert features a more rocky and flat landscape with only small sand dunes. While it offers a beautiful and authentic desert experience, it’s ideal for travelers seeking a shorter trip rather than the full Sahara dune adventure.
RESTAURANTS: During the 2 days desert tour to Zagora, guests will have plenty of options for lunch along the way, including restaurants that cater to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. You’re welcome to let your driver know in advance if you have any dietary preferences or restrictions, and they will be happy to accommodate you. Additionally, our expert drivers and guides are flexible and attentive they will gladly arrange stops for meals, rest, or photo breaks at any time during the journey to ensure your comfort and satisfaction.
Items to pack for this 2 days sahara tour from Marrakech to Zagora
- Comfortable clothing for both warm days and cool nights
- Closed-toe shoes or sandals suitable for walking on sand
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection
- Camera or smartphone to capture the stunning views
- Bring a small backpack for essentials
- a suitcase, it will be transferred by jeep to your desert tent.
Additional Information About Merzouga and Zagora Desert:
What’s the Difference Between Merzouga and Zagora?
While both Zagora and Merzouga offer unforgettable desert experiences, there are several key differences that can help you decide which destination suits your travel plans best.
Zagora Desert is closer to Marrakech, making it ideal for travelers with limited time. It takes around 6 to 7 hours to reach Zagora by car, which allows for a 2-day round trip. However, Zagora’s desert landscape is mostly rocky and flat, with only small sand dunes, unlike the vast golden dunes often imagined in the Sahara. That said, the experience still includes a camel trek, overnight in a desert camp, and the chance to witness a beautiful desert sunset under the stars.
Merzouga, on the other hand, lies much deeper into the Sahara, approximately 9 to 10 hours from Marrakech. The journey is longer, so most tours last 3 to 4 days. However, it is absolutely worth it for those who want to see the true Sahara dunes. Merzouga is home to the famous Erg Chebbi dunes, which reach up to 150 meters high perfect for a classic camel trekking experience.
In addition, the route to Merzouga includes visits to some of Morocco’s most iconic natural and cultural sites, such as the stunning Todra Gorge, the scenic Dades Valley, and the palm-filled Ziz Valley. These attractions make the journey itself just as rewarding as the destination.
In summary, if you’re short on time and want a quick desert experience, Zagora is the better option. But if you’re looking for tall dunes, dramatic landscapes, and a more immersive Sahara adventure, Merzouga is the ultimate choice—even if it requires a bit more travel time.