After spending three days in Marrakech, we started our journey to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert en route to Fez. This was undoubtedly the highlight of our entire 9-day Morocco trip. Not only were the Sahara sand dunes absolutely magnificent, but we also got to see parts of the Atlas Mountains, Berber villages, the Hollywood of Morocco, etc., along the way. We had a fantastic time with our tour guides at Desert Day Tours, who thoughtfully arranged everything perfectly for us and were lovely people to hang out with.
From Marrakech to the Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert is approximately an 8-to-10-hour drive from Marrakech. We booked a private desert tour to take us there, making plenty of scenic stops in between, including an overnight stay at the Dades Gorge, before arriving at the desert. Our tour guide picked us up in a spacious and comfortable 4-by-4 car early in the morning directly from our riad to start the journey.
What’s the Weather Like at the Sahara Desert in December
During the day, the weather in the Sahara Desert was pleasantly above 20°C (68°F) and very sunny when we visited in December. However, the temperature plummets at night to below 5°C (41°F), so make sure you pack thick and warm clothing for camping overnight in the desert.
Picking the Right Desert Tour for Your Trip
A quick Google search will provide you with so many desert tour options. Firstly, make sure you go with a reputable tour company and read through their reviews. The next key thing to consider is whether to go on a shared or private tour. If your budget allows, I’d highly recommend going for a private tour. This is because going on a desert tour is a long journey, and comfort should be a priority.
Shared tours often use vans or minibuses as transport, which are noticeably not as comfortable as a private 4-by-4 car. A lot of the shared tours also arrange basic desert camping arrangements, whereas private tours give you the flexibility to arrange better options that best meet your needs & expectations. For instance, we managed to get a comfortable desert glamping arrangement that’s within our budget, with decent amenities and electrical sockets. Most likely, your tour will involve camel riding in the desert. I’ve seen reviews that some shared budget tours give you camels without proper saddling, which is extremely uncomfortable. Hence, do your research.
My ultimate tip is to inquire with as many tour companies as you can to see what options you have and compare the prices.
3-Day Sahara Desert Tour
We did a lot of research and inquiries before coming across Desert Day Tours, which is the tour company we went with for this 3-day Sahara Desert Tour, and we’d highly recommend them. We went with the private tour option for the two of us for better comfort and flexibility.
Sahara Desert Tour Itinerary
Day 4: Ait Ben-Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge
Atlas Mountains
As we departed Marrakech and arrived at the windy roads of the Atlas Mountains, we made a quick pit stop for a drink and bathroom break. We saw women hand-producing argan oil, a Moroccan speciality that’s known to be nutrient-packed and full of vitamin E and antioxidants for skin and hair care.
Ouarzazate: Ait Ben-Haddou
After a roughly three-and-a-half-hour drive, we finally arrived in Ouarzazate. We grabbed some lunch at one of the restaurants and headed off to see Ait Ben-Haddou.
Ait Ben-Haddou is a historic earthen fortified village, built entirely from mud, and was once a major stop along the caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. It’s spectacular to see this pre-Saharan earthen construction, said to date back to the 12th century, still standing and in use as homes.
If you’re a movie buff, you may also recognise Ait Ben-Haddou as the filming location for numerous shows such as Gladiator, Prince of Persia, The Mummy, Mission Cleopatra, Game of Thrones, etc. It’s the reason why Ouarzazate is often dubbed the “African Hollywood”!
Ouarzazate: Atlas Film Studios
Afterwards, our tour guide took us to the Atlas Film Studios nearby. It is the largest filming studio, by landmass, in the world and has retained all the original movie production sets that were filmed there. Many Hollywood movies were made here due to the abundance of land to build film sets and great natural lighting. We did a quick tour outside the premises, but decided not to go in.
Dades Gorge
We continued to hit the road, and after a further ride with winding zigzag roads, we arrived at Dades Gorge and checked into Hotel Babylon Dades for the night. Many other tour groups were staying at the hotel as well. The hotel wasn’t anything special, and the food was, frankly, not so great. But it’s the location and breathtaking views that made it special.
The Dades Gorges features a rugged, dramatic landscape – with a rust-red shade of colours and zigzagging layers of rock formations. It’s particularly spectacular and dramatic under the sunrise! The view was so refreshing to wake up to, and the crisp mountain air was so lush to take in.
Day 5: Todra Gorges, Valley of Palm Trees, Camel Ride, Sahara Desert Glamping
Todra Gorges
So continuing the journey, we hopped back into the car and set our way towards the desert, with just a few more viewpoints to stop by en route.
We first stopped at the Todra Gorges and took a little walk between the tall river canyons. The Todra Gorges are recognised as one of the most spectacular canyons in the world. Its views were extremely impressive, and the water running was super clear (safe to drink). Just when we were about to leave, we managed to catch a shepherd letting out his herd of sheep for a sip of the river water. It’s literally the cutest scene ever!
Ziz Valley Palm Trees
Next, we made a brief photo stop at the Ziz Valley to see the Valley of Palm Trees. It is an oasis nestled between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, known for its massive palm grove and dramatic cliffs. Once again, we were in awe of the beautiful landscapes Morocco has to offer.
And then, finally, we arrived at the edge of the Sahara Desert!
Camel Ride and Sunset on the Sand Dunes of the Sahara Desert
Our camels and a desert tour guide await as we arrive at the edge of the desert. The camels were saddled up nicely, so it was an easy, comfortable ride.
Please do your research beforehand, as some tour companies may not allow you to take any large luggage with you to the camp. As we’re on a private tour, Desert Day Tours kindly set up a separate car just to deliver everything to our tent.
Before pulling up at our camp, we took a little break and climbed a sand dune to catch the sunset. And oh my, it’s truly the most magical thing we’ve ever experienced! The sea of sand has left us speechless and in awe. We reluctantly got back on our camels and continued our way to the Sahara Desert Luxury Camp.
Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
The Sahara Desert Luxury Camp exceeded our expectations. Arriving at the camp, there were red carpets all over the campsite, adorned with lanterns, welcoming us as we hopped off our camels. We were welcomed with Moroccan mint tea and snacks before being led to our tent. I’ve never been camping before, and I was a bit nervous about it at first. But as we stepped into our tent, we found everything nicely set up with actual beds, and the room cosily adorned with lamps, a coat hanger, and even electrical sockets.
After settling in, we headed to the main tent for dinner and were served with one of the best tagines we had over the trip. Then we met up with other guests and started a bonfire. The camp staff brought out some Berber drums, and we played some riddles and chatted the night away.
Sunrise, Berber Breakfast, and Camel Ride
It was rather cold at night in the desert, and we only managed to get a few hours of sleep before getting up to catch the magical sunrise. We then headed to the main tent and had some incredibly delicious Berber Eggs Tagine for breakfast before packing up to leave.
You get to choose to leave the desert by car or camel. We chose the latter and enjoyed a lovely, quiet morning ride back to our car.
Day 6: Cedar Forest & Ifran
Cedar Forest
After a long drive, we stopped for lunch before continuing to the Cedar Forest.
The Cedar Forest is an ancient woodland that’s home to magnificent cedar trees and macaque monkeys. If you’ve ever encountered monkeys in Asia, you may immediately have your guard up to protect your belongings, as they are known to be rather mischievous. However, these monkeys in Morocco were the complete opposite. They were incredibly well-behaved and were just the most adorable monkeys we’ve ever seen! We were given some peanuts to feed the monkeys for a bit before leaving to continue our journey.
Ifran
Here is one last stop before arriving in Fez – Ifran. Morocco is just full of surprises. Ifran is known as the Swiss village of Morocco, a little slice of Europe hidden in the middle of the Atlas Mountains. This unique town features alpine-style architecture and has ski slopes nearby as well.
We only stayed there for a quick coffee and soon got back on the road towards Fez. We eventually arrived in Fez in the early evening hours.
Follow Our Moroccan Journey
Part 1: Marrakech
Part 3: Fez
Part 4: Chefchaouen & Tangier
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Hi Eutonne,
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading about your Sahara Desert adventure. As a tour operator and travel expert in Morocco for almost 9 years, I can truly appreciate the magic you captured in your writing. Your detailed description of Ait Ben-Haddou, the stunning Dades Gorge, and the serene camel ride in the Sahara really resonated with me. It’s wonderful to see travelers like you experience and appreciate the unique beauty of Morocco, especially the joy of sharing a meal under the stars at the Sahara Desert Luxury Camp. Your article perfectly highlights the diverse and breathtaking landscapes that Morocco has to offer.
If you ever decide to explore more of Morocco or need any travel tips, feel free to reach out. Keep sharing your amazing adventures!
Best regards,
Mustapha
Your blog is incredibly fascinating! We are delighted to learn about your wonderful experience in Morocco. Thank you wholeheartedly for sharing it with us.
Thank you for sharing this beauty with us
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed reading it!
Amazing blog and gallery, very beautiful places & unforgettable experience, Thank you for sharing, Keep it up!
Hi Zawa, I’m so glad you enjoy reading my blog and thank you so much for leaving such a lovely comment!
Very Intresting Blog, We are very Happy to hear that your enjoyed your trip in Morocco, Thank you so much for sharing with us
Thank you for reading and commenting! Morocco is truly a special experience and such a beautiful country.