2-Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech
The Sahara in two days, for travellers who do not have three. Over the Tizi n'Tichka to Aït Ben Haddou with a local guide, then down the Draa Valley through the palm groves to Zagora, where a camel takes you out for sunset and a camp takes you in for the night — dinner, Berber music, a fire, and more stars than you will have seen in a while. Back through the valley the next day. From €93 per person shared, or €167 private.
- Duration
- 2 Days · 1 Night
- Route
- Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
- Region
- Sahara
- Price
- €93 / guest
- Format
- Multi-day small-group tour
Itinerary
- Day 1, 07:00 — pickup in Marrakech, then the High Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Day 1, 10:30 — Aït Ben Haddou: guided walk through the fortified ksar and the old village
- Day 1, 12:30 — lunch around Aït Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate
- Day 1, 14:00 — on through Ouarzazate, Agdez, the Draa Valley and its palm groves
- Day 1, 17:00 — Zagora: camel ride, sunset over the desert, sandboarding where the camp allows
- Day 1, evening — desert camp: Moroccan dinner, tea, Berber music, campfire, stargazing
- Day 2, sunrise — breakfast at the camp, then north through the Draa Valley
- Day 2 — Agdez, Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou, lunch on the route, over the Atlas to Marrakech by evening
What is included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and professional driver
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Aït Ben Haddou visit
- Camel ride at Zagora
- Desert camp accommodation, dinner, breakfast and Moroccan tea
- Assistance throughout the trip
When to go
Best time: October to April. The dunes are at their best in autumn and spring, when days are warm and the light is long. Midsummer regularly passes 45 °C in Merzouga, which makes a camel trek genuinely unpleasant. Between December and February the days stay comfortable but desert nights fall close to freezing — the camps have thick blankets, and you will want them.
Time on the road
- Day 1 — Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou: about 3 hours 30 minutes, then on to Zagora: about 4 hours
- Day 2 — Zagora back to Marrakech through the Draa Valley: about 8 to 9 hours with stops
- The trade-off against the 3-day tour: less time in the desert, more time in the vehicle
Common questions
Where do you pick me up?
Wherever suits you. We collect from your own hotel or riad, from a hotel we have booked for you, or from Marrakech Menara airport if you would rather start the moment you land. The exact point and time are agreed with you after booking.
How large are the groups?
Small by design. Most departures run 6 to 12 travellers and we never exceed 16, so the vehicle stays comfortable and the guide has time for everyone.
What is not included in the price?
It varies by tour, and each tour page lists what its price covers. As a rule, prices do not include international flights, travel insurance, tips for your guide and driver, drinks with meals, entrance fees to monuments unless stated, or meals that are not listed in the itinerary.
Can I cancel?
Yes. If you have not paid yet — which is most bookings, since we take payment on arrival — just tell us and there is nothing to settle; we release your seat and that is the end of it. If you have already paid, the refund depends on how much notice you give us: 90% with 30 or more days before departure, 50% between 15 and 29 days, 25% between 7 and 14 days, and nothing inside 7 days, when the guide, vehicle and camp are already committed. Tell us as early as you can.
What should I bring?
Your smile and a bit of curiosity, honestly — the rest we can usually solve. Practically: layers, because a desert day is hot and a desert night is not; a scarf for sun and sand; sunscreen and sunglasses; shoes you can walk a medina in; a refillable bottle; a power bank; and some small cash for tips and the souks. Something with sleeves and long trousers or a skirt for visits to religious sites.
Is there an age limit?
No upper limit and no minimum — children are welcome on every tour, though the longer drives suit older children better. Under 3s travel free; ages 3 to 11 pay 70% of the adult price. Camel trekking is sensible from about age 6, and younger children can stay at the camp with a parent instead.
I am travelling alone — is that a problem?
Not at all — small groups make it easy to fall in with people, and solo travellers are a good part of who comes with us. Sharing a room with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra. If you would rather have a room to yourself, the single supplement is 25% of the tour price.
Do I have to pay online?
No. You can book now and pay on arrival — the seat is held either way. Nothing is charged to a card on this site.
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