Private 2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour
Cross the High Atlas to the Draa Valley, ride a camel into the dunes at sunset and sleep in a desert camp — back in Marrakech the next evening
About this journey
Trade the bustle of Marrakech for two days on the road to the Sahara. Your private driver takes you over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and through the kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then down the palm-lined Draa Valley to Zagora. Ride a camel into the dunes as the sun sets, spend the night in a desert camp under an unbroken sky, and return to Marrakech the next evening — a complete desert experience in the shortest time possible.
- Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Explore the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
- Drive the palm groves and kasbahs of the Draa Valley
- Sunset camel ride into the Zagora dunes
- Dinner, live music and a night in a private desert tent
- Sunrise over the sand before the return to Marrakech
- Private vehicle and driver from start to finish
A glimpse of the journey
About this tour in detail
If you have limited time in Morocco but still want a real night in the desert, the Zagora route is the answer. It packs the High Atlas, two UNESCO-listed landscapes and the longest palm oasis in the country into two days, with far less driving than a trip to Merzouga.
Your journey begins with a private pickup from your Marrakech accommodation. The road climbs through Berber villages to the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest paved mountain pass in North Africa, before descending to Ait Ben Haddou. Here you can walk the lanes of the fortified ksar that has appeared in films from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator. After lunch in Ouarzazate, the road follows the Draa Valley: a 200-kilometre ribbon of palm groves, mud-brick villages and ancient kasbahs that ends at Zagora, the historic gateway to the Sahara.
Late in the afternoon you meet your camel caravan and ride into the dunes as the light softens. Dinner is served at a desert camp, followed by music around the fire and a night in a private tent.
Wake to sunrise over the sand, then travel back through the Draa Valley and over the Atlas, arriving in Marrakech in the evening.
A note on the dunes: Zagora's dunes are smaller than the great erg at Merzouga. What you gain is a full desert night with only one long day of driving each way — ideal for families, short stays and travellers who want the Sahara without a three-day commitment. If you have three days or more, our Merzouga journeys reach the highest dunes in Morocco.
Day 1 Day 1 — Marrakech to Zagora: over the Atlas to the dunes
Leave Marrakech in the morning and climb through the High Atlas to the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Explore the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, pass through Ouarzazate and follow the Draa Valley south to Zagora. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the dunes to reach your camp for dinner, music and a night under the stars.
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Marrakech
Morning pickup from your accommodation
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Tizi n'Tichka Pass
Panoramic stop at 2,260 m
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Ait Ben Haddou
Walk the UNESCO-listed fortified ksar
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Ouarzazate
Lunch break in the gateway to the desert
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Agdz & Draa Valley
Palm groves and roadside kasbahs
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Zagora
Meet your camel caravan
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Desert camp
Sunset ride, dinner, campfire music, overnight
- Accommodation Desert camp near Zagora
- Meals Dinner
- Transport Private air-conditioned vehicle, then camel
Day 2 Day 2 — Zagora to Marrakech: sunrise and the road home
Wake early to watch the sun rise over the dunes, then breakfast at the camp before riding back to meet your driver. Return north through the Draa Valley with a stop at Tamnougalt kasbah, lunch in Ouarzazate, and cross the Atlas once more to reach Marrakech in the evening.
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Sunrise over the dunes
Optional early wake-up
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Zagora
Camel ride back and rejoin your vehicle
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Tamnougalt Kasbah
Historic Draa Valley kasbah and palm grove
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Ouarzazate
Lunch break
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Tizi n'Tichka Pass
Final mountain viewpoint
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Marrakech
Evening drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation Not included — tour ends in Marrakech
- Meals Breakfast
- Transport Camel, then private air-conditioned vehicle
Trace your journey
Good to know
- Meeting point Marrakech
- Languages Arabic, English, French, Spanish
This journey is 100% carbon neutral. We plant a tree for every traveller who explores Morocco with us.
What's included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for your group only
- Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation
- English- or French-speaking driver
- One night in a desert camp near Zagora — private tent
- Sunset camel ride to the camp and return ride at sunrise
- Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2 at the camp
- Fuel, tolls and all transport costs
- Flexible photo and comfort stops along the route
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees where applicable
- Local guide at Ait Ben Haddou (available on request)
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not listed above
Good to know before you go
Important information
- This is a private tour; the vehicle and driver are reserved exclusively for your group.
- Expect around 6–7 hours of driving each day, excluding stops.
- Zagora's dunes are modest in size compared with Merzouga's Erg Chebbi.
- The camel ride can be replaced by a 4×4 transfer to the camp if requested in advance.
- Tell us about allergies, dietary needs or mobility limitations before departure.
- The driver provides transport and general assistance; licensed guides are included only where stated.
What to bring
- Passport or ID
- A small overnight bag for the camp (main luggage stays in the vehicle)
- Warm layer for the desert night, even in summer
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or scarf
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash for lunches, drinks, tips and optional extras
- Fully charged phone or camera — there may be no electricity in the tents
Know before you go
- Vegetarian meals are available on request.
- Wi-Fi and phone signal are limited at the camp.
- Desert temperatures drop sharply after sunset.
- Children are welcome; child seats must be requested in advance.
- Pickup time and exact meeting details are confirmed by email or WhatsApp.
- Return to Marrakech is expected in the evening but depends on traffic and road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour private?
How big are the dunes at Zagora?
How much driving is there?
Is the camel ride mandatory?
What are the meals like?
Can I bring my suitcase?
Is it cold at night?
Is this tour suitable for children?
What time do we return to Marrakech?
Can the itinerary be adjusted?
Is a guide included at Ait Ben Haddou?
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