2-Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour
The quickest way to sleep in the Sahara from Marrakech — over the Atlas to Zagora and the Draa Valley, with a camel trek and a night under the stars.
Introduction
The 2-day Marrakech to Zagora desert tour is for travellers who want a night in the Sahara but only have a day or two to spare. It crosses the same dramatic Atlas scenery as the longer tours — Tizi n'Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, the Draa Valley — and ends with a camel trek and a night in a desert camp, all without the long drive to Merzouga. The dunes here are smaller, but the desert silence and the night sky are just as real. Below is the full itinerary, what's included, the best time to go and our tips.
Overview
The 2-day Marrakech to Zagora tour is the fastest way to spend a night in the desert if you only have a weekend. You cross the High Atlas, stop at Ait Ben Haddou, then follow the date-palm oasis of the Draa Valley to Zagora, where a camel trek takes you to a camp among the dunes for dinner and music. It is shorter and cheaper than the Merzouga tours, with smaller dunes but the same starry desert night.
Why choose this tour
Why choose the Zagora route:
- Shortest desert night from Marrakech — perfect for a weekend.
- Lower price than the Merzouga tours, with the same Atlas and kasbah scenery.
- Private and flexible — your own vehicle and guide.
- Easy add-on: extend to Erg Chigaga for the big dunes.
Highlights
- Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas
- Ait Ben Haddou kasbah (UNESCO)
- The Draa Valley and its palm groves
- Sunset camel trek near Zagora
- A night in a desert camp
- Run by local Berber guides
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → camel trek → camp
Morning. Pickup around 7:30 am and over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with a stop at Ait Ben Haddou and lunch nearby (own account). Afternoon: through Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves, to Zagora. A sunset camel trek to the camp, dinner and Berber drumming. Driving: ~7 hours · distance: ~360 km. Dinner and breakfast included.
Day 2Day 2: sunrise → Zagora → return to Marrakech
Morning. Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at the camp, then the drive back to Marrakech over the Atlas with photo stops. Driving: ~7 hours · distance: ~360 km. Breakfast included.
Tour route map
Accommodation
You sleep one night in a private desert camp with an en-suite tent, a real bed, a hot shower and plenty of blankets. Family tents and a decorated honeymoon tent are available. See the luxury camp page for the full setup.
Transport
Transport is by private air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with fuel and an English-speaking driver-guide throughout, at a relaxed pace with stops for photos, tea and breaks. The driver is local and knows the back roads and the quiet viewpoints.
Pick-up & meeting point
We collect you from your riad or hotel, with the exact pickup time confirmed by WhatsApp the night before. Need an airport transfer first? We arrange those too.
Included & not included
- ✓Private 4x4 or minivan with fuel and driver-guide
- ✓Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel
- ✓1 night in a desert camp near Zagora
- ✓Sunset camel trek
- ✓Dinner and breakfast (half board)
- ✓English-speaking driver
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches and drinks
- ✗Monument entrance fees
- ✗Tips
- ✗Travel insurance
Pricing
Per person for the private tour; shared group departures available on request.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €680 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €540 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €450 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
This trip runs all year. The most comfortable months are March to May and September to November, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights in the desert get cold, so bring a warm layer; July and August are hot at midday, so we keep the camel trek to sunrise and sunset. See our best time to visit guide.
What to pack
Bring light layers for the day and a warm jacket for cold desert nights, a scarf for sun and sand, closed shoes, sunglasses, a hat, high-SPF sun cream, a refillable water bottle, a head-torch and a power bank. Full list: Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
What to expect: real driving distances on good but winding roads — bring something for motion sickness if you're prone to it. Tips: carry small dirham notes for lunches, entry fees and tips, and keep onward flights to the evening of the final day or later.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
Everything was perfect. We had a spacious, well-heated triple room. We did a 4x4 outing and they offered us a camel ride. The meals are varied, plentiful and excellent.
Noémie Nicolas · Google · 2023
★★★★★
An unforgettable stay in Merzouga, so well organized. Hassan was always available on WhatsApp, and Ali at the camp went out of his way for our comfort. This trip will stay in my heart.
Sophie Charmillot · Google · 2025
★★★★★
We stayed two nights at the desert camp. We did a full-day hike with our guide Hassan through the dunes and visited the nomads. The chef is a true talent — we have never tasted such delicious food.
Manuela · Google · 2025
Related
GuideFrequently asked questions
Is Zagora the same as Merzouga?
No — Zagora's dunes are smaller and closer to Marrakech. For the big Erg Chebbi dunes, choose our 3-day Merzouga tour.
Is one night enough?
For a quick taste of the desert from Marrakech, yes. If you want the tall dunes and more time, go to Merzouga over 3 days.
Are the camel ride and camp included?
Yes — a sunset camel trek and a night in a desert camp with half board.
Can it reach the big Erg Chigaga dunes?
Those need a 4x4 and an extra day — see our Erg Chigaga tour.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes. The pace is gentle, the camel ride is optional (we can drive you to camp by 4x4 instead), and we adapt for children and any mobility needs — just tell us when you book.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.