When my husband and I started planning our Morocco itinerary, one thing was non-negotiable: we had to visit the Sahara Desert. The golden dunes, the camel rides at sunset, the starry skies – it all sounded too magical to miss.

We decided to visit the Sahara from Marrakech, which is 350 miles away. Reaching it means winding through the Atlas Mountains and driving long stretches of road. Most Sahara tours from Marrakech are three days long: one night in a hotel en route, one night camping in the desert, and then a long journey back.

If you’re dreaming of your own Sahara adventure, here’s exactly what to expect, how much it costs, and whether it’s really worth it.

Before our trip, I contacted several tour companies online. Most pushed private tours, which looked amazing – but the prices were sadly out of our budget: €250–€375 per person, more than our flights and several nights’ accommodation combined!

If you’re looking for a real bargain, wait until you’re in Morocco before booking your tour at a travel agency or your accommodation. We ended up booking through our riad manager, who quoted us €95 per person. I haggled it down to €80. Even so, another couple on our tour only paid €70 pp for the exact same tour. Moral of the story: don’t be afraid to negotiate.

If you prefer to secure everything in advance (and skip the stress of bargaining), you can book a well-rated Sahara Desert tour here:

What our €80 tour included:

• Two nights’ accommodation (1 hotel, 1 desert camp)
• Two breakfasts, two dinners
• Transport (minivan, camel, and jeep)

Not included:

• Lunches (€9–12 each)
• A guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou (€5 per person)
• Drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and tips

Typical Sahara Desert Itinerary from Marrakech

Most three-day Sahara tours from Marrakech follow a similar route:

Day One – Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass and Ait Ben Haddou

• Depart Marrakech early morning
• Cross the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass (incredible mountain views!)
• Stop for lunch and a guided visit to Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO World Heritage site and filming location for Game of Thrones and Gladiator)
• Overnight stay in a hotel in the Dades Valley

Day Two – Dades Valley and Todgha Gorges, camel trek or jeep ride

• Drive through the Dades Valley and Todgha Gorges
• Arrive at the Sahara for a camel trek or jeep ride to the desert camp
• Spend the night in a tent under the stars (private or shared, depending on your booking)

Day Three – Desert sunrise and return to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Sunrise in the desert
• Return to Marrakech via Ouarzazate (film studios + kasbahs)
• Arrive back in Marrakech late evening

Day One: From Marrakech to the Dades Valley

Fifteen strangers squeezed into a minivan, excited for what was to come but also rather in the dark about the day’s events, as our driver spoke very little English and only one member of the group could speak enough French to translate some of the driver’s instructions (like “Ten-minute toilet break here, then we go!”). We enjoyed a scenic journey through the Atlas mountains, making a short pit stop for photos. I wasn’t expecting such stunning scenery; snow-topped mountains, lush forests and dramatic rock formations.

After lunch (a €12 set menu of soup, tagine, and fruit), we made our way to Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most famous landmarks. This fortified village has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and was once a key stop on the caravan routes that carried salt out of the Sahara and brought back gold and ivory. Our local guide (€5 in cash) led us through the maze of mud-brick alleys, explaining its rich history and pointing out where blockbuster films and TV series have been shot – including Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and even Game of Thrones.

Afterwards, we were shepherded into a Berber carpet cooperative. We were served mint tea and given a very informative presentation about how the Berber carpets are made, how they each have a unique design and how the different Berber tribes use varying techniques. Then we were encouraged to buy a carpet (using cash or credit card!). The men in the carpet museum were very polite (not pushy) but no one in our group bought anything. We probably weren’t their target market as we’d all chosen the budget, shared tour option!

We finished the day with dinner at our Dades Valley hotel and made sure to charge all our electronics before heading into the desert the next day.

Day Two: Camel Trek to the Sahara

The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel then set off for the next leg of our journey. Our first stop was the Todgha Gorges, where sheer cliffs tower over a narrow river valley. They were really spectacular, and it would have been good to spend more time wandering around. From there, it was onwards to the dunes of Merzouga.

There were several men selling scarves and souvenirs at the Todgha Gorges. Some of the women on our tour were interested, but the driver urged them not to buy anything from them. After leaving the Gorges, we stopped for a toilet break next to a fancy scarf shop, with hundreds of colours and patterns available. The staff there greeted our driver by name and encouraged our group to buy scarves here, which were considerably more expensive than the ones at the Todgha Gorges. Funny that! Many of the stops along the way to the desert are designed to get tourists to spend more money – but remember, you can always refuse!

Soon, we arrived at the stretch of desert where our camel trek began. We were instructed to prepare a small backpack to take with us to the desert. All suitcases and larger bags would be taken to the hotel where the driver would spend the night. It was rather amusing watching some disgruntled members of our group trying to persuade the camel trek guides to let them bring a wheelie holdall case with them. The guides were having none of it – luckily for the camels, who already had a heavy enough load with the passenger and their backpack.

I felt unsure about the ride – not only because I’d heard it was very uncomfortable, but because I try to avoid animal tourism as much as possible. The camels seemed to be treated well, as far as the eye could see. They were sitting and standing around looking pretty chilled out. If you don’t want to ride a camel, ask one of the guides for another way to get to the camp. One member of our group paid to travel by jeep. Spoiler alert: I should have done the same!

I’ll be honest: riding a camel is not glamorous. The saddles are hard, the ride is bumpy, and if you’re wearing shorts or jeans, there’s a real danger of thigh chafing! We were completely unaware of how long the trek would be. One member of our group thought it would be a 30-minute ride (not sure where she got that number from). After 30 minutes, I was definitely ready to get off – but the guide showed no signs of stopping. Some members of our group asked to dismount and my husband and I quickly followed suit. A very wise idea – as the entire camel trek lasted two hours!

Walking in the Sahara desert was almost as challenging as riding a camel. The sand was so soft, our feet kept slipping and sliding and it was exhausting. I was so relieved when we got to camp and could finally rest. Those of our group who had stayed on the camels were quite unhappy with the lack of communication from the guides. Several of them said if they’d known it was a two-hour trek, they would have paid to take the jeep instead.

Arriving at camp, we were shown to shared tents – each with two double beds and a heap of blankets. There were no bathrooms, toilets or taps – it was real camping! After resting for a little, we had dinner with some other tour groups (chicken tagine again!) and then listened to some of the guides playing traditional Berber music. Later, we lay on the sand, staring at the constellations above us. It was incredibly peaceful, with a canopy of stars overhead, twinkling away, undisturbed by air and light pollution.

Before turning in for the night, we spoke with one of the Berber guides and asked to take the jeep back to the minivan. The ride would cost €10 per person and came with the luxury of a lie-in. While the camel riders had to set off at 5am to catch the sunrise, those of us opting for the jeep could sleep in until 7am, enjoy the sunrise and then head back to the minibus. Naturally, I chose the jeep!

The night was extremely cold, so I bundled up in tracksuit bottoms, a T-shirt, a jumper, thick socks, and buried myself under a mountain of blankets. Pack plenty of layers – you’ll be glad you did!

👉 Morocco Packing List: What To Pack & Wear In Morocco

Day Three: Sunrise and the Long Journey Back

Waking up on our last day, we were so grateful we’d chosen the lie-in option. We had no desire to clamber back onto a camel! We took photos of the gorgeous sunrise, with streaks of pink, purple, blue, orange and yellow. Of course none of the photos did it justice! Riding in the jeep was also really fun – the driver sped up and down the sand dunes like he was on a rollercoaster, whilst we laughed and shrieked.

We met up with our driver, those who’d travelled by camel (who were wincing and walking like John Wayne!) and our luggage. After a group breakfast, we endured the long 12-hour drive back to Marrakech. Kindle books, podcasts, and downloaded playlists were lifesavers. We arrived tired, dusty, and desperate for a hot shower – but also amazed that we’d just spent a night in the Sahara Desert.

👉 Compare Sahara Desert tours here

Final Thoughts: Is a Sahara Desert Tour Worth It?

Absolutely – spending a night under the stars in the Sahara is unforgettable. In fact, I wish we’d had another night in the desert – one was not enough! It was such a beautiful, relaxing place to be. However, keep in mind:

• The drives are long and tiring
• Meals and extras add up quickly
• Communication on budget tours is often limited
• Comfort levels are basic, especially in desert camps

If you have the budget, a private Sahara Desert tour will give you more flexibility, better food, and more comfort. Still, even the affordable group tour option gave us memories we will always treasure. Our Sahara desert trip remains one of the most special travel experiences my husband and I have ever had.

If you’ve done a Sahara desert tour, what was your experience like? 

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow