Sahara desert tours
24 private trips · from 2 days to 24 days · starting from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca
A night among the dunes is the highlight of most trips to Morocco. The country's two great dune seas are Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, with golden dunes rising up to about 150 metres, and the wilder Erg Chegaga beyond M'hamid, reached by 4×4 across the desert.
These tours start in Marrakech, Fes or Casablanca and include at least one night in a desert camp, from simple nomad tents to comfortable camps with private bathrooms. The best months are October to April.
Not sure which desert to choose? Read our comparison of Merzouga and Erg Chegaga, and pack with our Sahara checklist.
All trips (24)
Plan with our guides
PlanningMerzouga or Erg Chegaga? How to choose your Sahara desert in Morocco
Tall, easy-to-reach dunes at Merzouga or a remote sea of sand at Erg Chegaga? A local guide to Morocco's two great deserts, with the trips that go there.
PlanningWhat to pack for a night in the Sahara: a practical checklist
Warm layers, a scarf against the sand, small dirham notes: what to bring (and what to leave in the car) for a desert camp night in Morocco.
Village guideAït Ben Haddou: A Complete Guide to Morocco's Most Famous Ksar
Everything you need to know before visiting Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed earthen ksar near Ouarzazate: its history, what to see and films shot there.
City guideOuarzazate Travel Guide: The Gateway to the Sahara and Morocco's Hollywood
Discover Ouarzazate, Morocco's "door of the desert": Kasbah Taourirt, Atlas Studios, Aït Ben Haddou, the Noor solar plant and the Valley of Roses.
Village guideMerzouga and Erg Chebbi: Your Complete Guide to the Sahara Desert in Morocco
Plan your Sahara trip to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes: how to get there, camel treks, desert camps, sandboarding and Gnawa music in Khamlia.
Village guideZagora and M'hamid el Ghizlane: The Draa Valley Road to Erg Chegaga
Travel the Draa Valley to Zagora and M'hamid el Ghizlane, gateway to the wild Erg Chegaga dunes: palm groves and kasbahs.
Village guideTinghir Travel Guide: Palm Groves, Kasbahs and the Todra Gorge
Discover Tinghir in southeastern Morocco: its vast palm grove, the old Jewish quarter, earthen ksour, the dramatic Todra Gorge, rock climbing and hiking.
Sight guideKasbah Taourirt: Inside the Glaoui Stronghold of Ouarzazate
Visit Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate, the 19th-century earthen stronghold of the powerful Glaoui family: its history, decorated rooms and architecture.
Sight guideMausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif in Rissani: Where Morocco's Royal Dynasty Began
Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif in Rissani, the resting place of the ancestor of Morocco's ruling Alaouite dynasty: its history and architecture.
Sight guideTodra Gorge: Hiking, Climbing and Exploring Morocco's Most Dramatic Canyon
A complete guide to the Todra Gorge near Tinghir: how it formed, the narrowest section, the classic loop hike and rock climbing.
Sight guideDades Gorge: Monkey Fingers, Hairpin Bends and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
Explore the Dades Gorge in southern Morocco: the famous Tissadrine hairpin road, the "Monkey Fingers" rock formations, kasbahs, hikes and where to stay.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Sahara?
October to April is the most comfortable period for the Sahara. In summer daytime temperatures often exceed 40°C; from November to February the days are sunny and mild but nights at camp can drop close to freezing, so bring warm layers.
Related: Sahara desert tours
How high are the dunes of Erg Chebbi?
The highest dunes of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, rise to about 150 metres above the surrounding plain, and the dune field is roughly 20 km long and 5 km wide. Climbing a big dune for sunrise or sunset takes 20 to 40 minutes on soft sand.
Related: Sahara desert tours
Is the Sahara good for stargazing?
Yes. Far from city lights, the dunes of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chegaga offer some of the darkest skies in Morocco, with the Milky Way clearly visible on moonless nights. Check the moon phase when choosing your dates if stars are a priority.
Related: Sahara desert tours
Merzouga or Erg Chegaga: which desert should I choose?
Choose Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) for the tallest dunes, easy access by paved road and a wide choice of camps; it is ideal for a first trip or with children. Choose Erg Chegaga for a wilder, quieter experience reached by 4×4 beyond M'hamid. Both need at least three days from Marrakech.
Related: Merzouga or Erg Chegaga? How to choose your Sahara desert in Morocco
How many days do I need for the Sahara from Marrakech?
Three days is the minimum for the big dunes of Merzouga or Erg Chegaga from Marrakech, with one night in a desert camp. With two days you can reach the smaller dunes of M'hamid. Four or five days give you a second night in the desert and a more relaxed pace.
Related: 3-Day Merzouga Tour
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