Desert Trips offers the finest Morocco desert tours departing from Marrakech. These tours are not only action-packed but also filled with exciting events and experiences.
DESERT TOURS FROM MARRAKECH
Many of our desert tours from Marrakech packages offer an eventful trip for our clients. Marrakech is a city that has it all – stunning landscapes, a rich history and culture, and options for desert adventures or tranquil escapes. Rue Guéliz showcases modern amenities and features a variety of international and luxury boutiques on spacious streets. Explore the enchanting Moroccan architecture in the historic Jemma el-Fna neighborhood and experience the lively Marrakesh nightlife with its vibrant and traditional evenings that reflect the city’s zest for life. Stroll through the old medina with its charming, bustling streets filled with vibrant colors and fragrant scents of the East.
Private and shared desert tours from Marrakech
Marrakech stands out as one of Morocco’s top spots, attracting countless visitors annually. We take pride in being a premier Morocco tours travel agency, focusing on tailor-made group and private desert tours that kick off from Marrakech. Our seasoned team has invested years in designing travel plans that match the diverse desires and curiosities of our clients. We recognize that the Sahara desert ranks high on Morocco’s must-visit places, and thus, we ensure it’s a part of most of our tours. Whether you’re eager to dive into Marrakech’s vibrant markets or set out into the expansive desert, we’ve got the ideal tour for you.
Highlights of the desert tours from Marrakech
Explore Merzouga and the Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert is undoubtedly the highlight of our tailored group and private tours starting from Marrakech. When you arrive in the Merzouga desert, you step into a different world. We usually arrive in the evening to catch the breathtaking sunset, and we ride camels across the golden dunes. It’s a mesmerizing experience, watching the Sahara’s colors change as you journey on a camel. Our skilled camel handlers ensure you have the best ride and capture memorable photos along the way.
As night falls, your desert camp adventure begins. First, our camp team welcomes you with a cup of traditional Berber tea. You’ll have time to savor the remarkable Sahara view. Later, you’ll enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars. While you dine, our camel handlers will light a campfire and start playing their drums. After dinner, it’s time for music by the campfire.
Explore Marrakech
The name Marrakech, derived from the Berber language (Amor N Okoch), translates to “Land of God.” This city, known as the Red City, is one of Morocco’s most beautiful destinations. It offers a wealth of experiences to visitors. When tourists come to Marrakech, they often start their journey in the famous Jamaa el Fna square. This unique gathering place hosts skilled performers, storytellers, and local vendors. For the best views, venture to the rooftop terraces where you can sip mint tea and soak in the panoramic scenes.
Near the square stands another iconic landmark, the Koutoubia Mosque, boasting one of the city’s signature minarets. Marrakech has more treasures to explore, including the Majorelle and Menara Gardens, Saadien Tombs, and the King’s Palace.
Discover the Atlas Mountains
With our private and group desert tours from Marrakech, you’ll have the opportunity to pass through one of the world’s most famous mountain ranges, the High Atlas Mountains. Typically, when you book our custom trips, you’ll traverse the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi Ntichka Pass, one of the kingdom’s longest and winding roads. Along the way, you’ll encounter small Berber villages nestled within the mountains. We often make stops at Argan oil cooperatives where local women produce cosmetic products. Our journey also includes a stop at the pass’s highest point (2260 meters) for breathtaking views and photo opportunities. If your tour ends in Fes, you’ll explore the Middle Atlas Mountains as well.
Visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
Embark on our tailor-made group and private desert tours from Marrakech, and you’ll have the chance to discover a multitude of fortified villages. Among these, Ait Benhaddou stands as the most frequently visited fortress in the country. This picturesque village is nestled in the southeast of Morocco, serving as a delightful oasis between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech. Many travelers find it the perfect place for a tranquil pause to soak in its beauty. Our excursions will guide you on a leisurely walk, leading you across its river and up to the village’s summit for a panoramic view of this historic settlement. Ait Benhaddou holds the prestigious distinction of being one of Morocco’s 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This protected town is popular with tourists and also with filmmakers and producers who want to take movies there. Some well-known movies have used it, like “Gladiator” and “Lawrence of Arabia.”
Explore Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate, often dubbed the “Hollywood of Morocco,” is another destination included in our desert tours from Marrakech. This city is among the country’s most significant due to its large solar energy station and numerous Atlas studios where portions of famous films, including Game of Thrones and Prison Break, were filmed. Ouarzazate even boasts an international airport constructed for actors. Next to this unique city is the famous Taourert Kasbah.
Experience Various Valleys
Morocco is a land of great diversity and prosperity. Our desert tours from Marrakech will take you to the best valleys and palm groves. Firstly, the Ounila Valley, stretching from the Telouet Kasbah to Ait Benhaddou, is renowned for its pomegranate production. The Daraa Valley, the longest, extends about 1,100 kilometers from Ouarzazate to Tagounite. During our trips, we travel through different small and large valleys. For instance, the Ziz Valley, near Errachidia, supplies the region with an abundant supply of dates, making it Morocco’s primary source. Erfoud hosts an annual international date festival, where people from around the world gather, bringing various date varieties from across Morocco and other countries.
Experience a Desert Trip
The desert journey is a beloved highlight of desert tours from Marrakech. It allows you to experience the simple, authentic lives of Moroccans. Typically, you can embark on a desert trip via camel or 4×4 vehicle, depending on your preference. While many tourists opt for 4×4 trips to explore more locations, some adventure enthusiasts choose camel rides. In this instance, we’ll provide details on the 4×4 tour. It usually begins with a pickup from your camp or hotel, heading to Berber nomad communities. You’ll be captivated by the straightforward lifestyle and the innocence of these people who still reside in tents. You may even see their herds, often consisting of goats and sheep. Some Berber nomads have large families with 7 to 10 children, and some have multiple wives.
After visiting the nomads, we head to M’ifiss to explore the kohl mine and enjoy panoramic views. This kohl mine, once controlled by the French Empire, was later reopened by locals in the area. Nearby, you’ll visit a Berber cemetery. What’s fascinating is that you can distinguish between a man’s tomb and a woman’s tomb at first glance. Tomb rocks facing each other signify a male tomb, while differently positioned rocks indicate a female’s resting place. After this tranquil visit, you’ll have the opportunity to experience another aspect of Moroccan culture, the Gnawa style.
Explore Erfoud and Rissani
With our private and group desert tours from Marrakech, you’ll have the chance to explore two key desert cities in the south of Morocco. We often start by visiting Rissani, a city that was a starting point for caravans headed to Timbuktu in the past. In Rissani, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the traditional souks. Many years ago, Rissani was the go-to city for locals to purchase their essentials every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
Erfoud is another desert city we usually include in our itinerary. Every year, an international date festival is held in Erfoud, attracting people from around the world. The city is known for producing various types of fossils.
Discover the Cedar Forest and Explore Ifrane
Discover the wonders of Morocco’s cedar forests on our desert tour from Marrakech. These majestic cedar trees have flourished for, over four centuries providing a habitat for wildlife. While some species have seen a decline in numbers over time the Barbary macaques still call this forest their home. During our tours, we make sure to include a visit, to this location, where you can enjoy awe-inspiring views and even share a moment of nourishment with these monkeys.
Another destination we visit is Ifrane, known as the cleanest city in Africa and the eighth cleanest in the world. In Ifrane, you’ll discover the famous Atlas lion statue, believed to have been constructed by a German prisoner during the French colonial period. When France colonized Morocco, they established multiple military bases in the country, including one in Ifrane.