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Morocco desert tour have become increasingly popular in recent years, capturing the imagination of many travelers. If you’re planning your own Morocco desert tour, “The Guide to Morocco Desert Tour 2024” offers invaluable insights and recommendations to help you plan an unforgettable adventure. This comprehensive guide addresses common traveler queries, ensuring your journey is perfectly tailored to your interests and preferences.
Where is the Desert located in Morocco?
The Sahara Desert stretches roughly north-south along Morocco eastern border with neighboring Algeria. As the world’s largest hot desert, it spans an area approximately the size of the entire United States. Due to its remote location, reaching the Sahara can involve long hours of travel.
Is there a Desert in Marrakech?
Marrakech is often described as a desert city; however, its climate aligns more closely with Mediterranean climates. While it receives less rainfall than typical Mediterranean areas, it is wetter than a desert climate. Marrakech serves as the main gateway to the Sahara Desert, attracting millions of visitors each year who is taking a long journeys to destinations like Zagora or the Merzouga desert region.
Interestingly, just 40 minutes from Marrakech lies the Agafay Desert, known for its stone desert landscape a rough, dry terrain reminiscent of a moon like environment. Unlike the Sahara, Agafay lacks the large, rolling sand dunes but offers a rocky surface that still evokes a desert ambiance. Despite this difference, Agafay has become a popular weekend destination for Marrakech locals due to its proximity to the city. It remains an excellent choice for those pressed for time and unable to venture to the more remote Sahara Desert.
Agafay Desert offers stunning minimalist vistas, breathtaking sunsets, and the opportunity to dine in a Bedouin camp. Visitors can also enjoy camel rides while taking in panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains on the horizon.
How far is the real Desert from Marrakech?
The Sahara Desert features two main sets of sand dunes: Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga, each offering unique experiences. Erg Chebbi is highly accessible, located near the desert town of Merzouga, where modern accommodations sit at the base of the dunes. Merzouga itself is a bustling tourist hub with numerous restaurants and shops.
In contrast, Erg Chigaga dunes are more off the beaten path, offering adventurers a greater sense of exploration. Located approximately 60 km from the nearest town, M’hamid, these dunes are accessed via a challenging 4×4 ride along a rocky, bumpy road. The journey involves about 2 hours by car and a half-day camel ride through the rugged desert terrain to reach the expansive dunes. While more difficult to access due to its remote location, Erg Chigaga adds an extra layer of charm and adventure to your desert experience.
The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga spans roughly 370 miles (600 km), taking approximately 10 hours one way depending on stops and driving conditions. Similarly, the journey from Marrakech to Zagora, near Erg Chigaga dunes, covers approximately 230 miles (360 km) over varied terrain including mountainous roads, highways, and rural villages. Along these routes, travelers can enjoy scenic landscapes, vibrant Berber villages, and rich cultural experiences, making the journey to the desert as enriching as the destination itself.
How to get to the Sahara Desert?
There are several ways to experience the Sahara Desert, depending on your preferences and travel style.
- Independent Travel: If you’re a seasoned traveler with some knowledge of Arabic or French, you can opt to travel independently. Renting a car and planning a two-day drive to the desert is feasible. It’s advisable to spend a night in the Atlas Mountains due to the long journey.
- Public Transportation: Another option is to take a bus route, though this can be exhausting due to the extended travel time. Additionally, mobility can be challenging without a car once you reach the desert.
- Traveling with a Tour Company: Joining a tour company is an excellent way to maximize your time and enhance your experience with local insights and community connections. This option is particularly beneficial for safety and reliability, especially for female travelers.
With a private tour, you can delve deeper into the cultural fabric of the region, interacting closely with locals and discovering hidden gems. Knowledgeable guides ensure a smooth and enriching desert journey. If a private tour aligns with your preferences for a Morocco desert adventure, feel free to contact us. We offer a variety of customizable tours tailored to your wishes, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Where to start and end the Desert trip?
As mentioned earlier, Marrakech serves as the main gateway to the Sahara Desert, making it ideal to begin your journey from the vibrant “Red City.” There’s a diverse range of public and private transportation options available for your desert adventure, with many tour companies based in Marrakech due to its central role in tourism.
Most desert tours culminate in Fes, another prominent tourist destination with its own rich offerings. Starting your trip from Marrakech and concluding in Fes, or vice versa, is highly recommended. Alternatively, if you’re in northern Morocco, beginning in Fes and ending in Marrakech provides another excellent route. Whichever direction you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to explore two imperial cities Marrakech and Fes alongside the majestic High and Mid Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, lush palm groves, and scenic cedar forests. This route promises a comprehensive exploration of Morocco diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.
What is the best time to visit the Sahara Desert?
The best times to visit the Desert are in spring (March-May) and fall (October-November), when temperatures are moderate and pleasant. During these seasons, Morocco has comfortable weather ideal for exploring the desert.
In winter (December-February), the Sahara can get cold, with nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing. However, the skies are exceptionally clear during this time, creating stunning backgrounds for photography. Layered clothing is recommended to enjoy the desert to the fullest.
Summer months (June-September) bring scorching temperatures, often exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). Sandstorms can also occur, reducing visibility. However, the early mornings and late evenings offer more bearable weather as the desert cools down slightly.
Choosing the right season for your Sahara visit ensures a more enjoyable and comfortable experience, tailored to your preferences for temperature and weather conditions.
What can you do in the Sahara Desert?
There are few places in the world that can compare to the incredible landscapes you’ll see in the Sahara Desert. Take a moment to slow down, relax, and admire the uniqueness of its rolling dunes a truly rare environment in the world. They say that once you visit the Sahara Desert, you’ll never be the same again.
Here are some best activities you can enjoy during your visit:
- Sunrises and Sunsets: Experience the breathtaking beauty of Sahara sunrises and sunsets.
- Stargazing: Enjoy an unforgettable stargazing experience in the clear desert skies.
- Quad or 4×4 Jeep Adventure: Take a thrilling adventure through the dunes on a quad or 4×4 jeep.
- Camel Trekking: Take a peaceful camel trek through the dunes, immersing yourself in the desert landscape.
- Sandboarding: Try your hand at sandboarding down the dunes for an exhilarating experience.
- Bonfire with Berber Music: Relax and let the soulful rhythms of Berber music around a bonfire enrich your experience.
- Visit Nomadic Families: Learn about the traditional way of life of nomadic tribes by visiting local families.
- Listen to Gnawa Music: Experience the authentic Gnawa music, deeply rooted in the desert. Visit Khamlia village to listen to these soulful melodies.
- Explore Sand Dunes: Feel the sand run through your fingers as you explore and capture beautiful moments with your camera.
- Explore Ruins in Sijilmassa: Near Rissani, explore the ruins of Sijilmassa, once a pivotal trade post connecting Morocco with Egypt, Sudan, and Ghana.
- Shop at Local Markets: Experience the vibrant local markets—Rissani hosts the largest market in the region on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, while Zagora market is bustling every Wednesday and Sunday.
These activities offer a diverse and enriching experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the magic of the Sahara Desert.
How many days to visit the Desert in Morocco?
Visiting the remote and unique Sahara Desert, where spending a night under the stars is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it’s highly recommended to stay at least two nights in the desert region. This allows for a deep immersion into the remarkable environment and desert life. Spend one night at a Bedouin camp nestled among the dunes for an authentic experience, and another night in a nearby riad or hotel in a desert town for added comfort and relaxation. This approach not only lets you explore the area thoroughly but also enjoy various activities while appreciating the serene beauty of the Sahara Desert, ensuring a memorable and enriching desert adventure.
What to back for the Morocco Desert Tour?
Depending on the time of year you travel to Morocco, it’s essential to pack accordingly due to varying weather conditions. Summers can be extremely hot, while winter nights can be freezing, as mentioned earlier. Packing essentials should include a light jacket for cooler evenings, comfortable sneakers or sandals for walking on sand, and a scarf for sun and sand protection. Along the way and in Sahara, you’ll find numerous shops offering a wide range of beautiful scarves, which make affordable and lovely souvenirs.
Morocco is a conservative country, especially in rural areas, so female travelers should dress modestly. It’s also wise to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, cash, and a battery pack to ensure your phone remains charged for capturing the stunning desert landscapes.