Morocco Top Trips · Updated 30 October 2026
“Which desert should we go to?” is one of the first questions we get. Morocco has three main options for a night in the desert, and they are very different: the big sand dunes of Merzouga, the smaller dunes near Zagora, and the stony hills of Agafay just outside Marrakech. The right choice depends mostly on how many days you have.
In this guide
The short answer
- Three days or more: Merzouga. The dunes are the real Sahara picture.
- Only two days from Marrakech: Zagora, accepting long drives and smaller dunes.
- One evening or one night: Agafay, 45 minutes from Marrakech, with no long drive at all.
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
Erg Chebbi is the Sahara most people imagine: orange sand dunes rising to around 150 metres, camel caravans and camps tucked between the dunes. It sits near the Algerian border, roughly nine to ten hours by road from Marrakech and seven to eight from Fes, so it needs time.
- Minimum time: 3 days from Marrakech or Fes; 4 or 5 days is more comfortable.
- Best for: first-time visitors who want the classic dunes, camel rides and sunrise over the sand.
- Good to know: the drive crosses the High Atlas, Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, so the journey is part of the trip.
See our guide to Merzouga, and compare our desert tours from Marrakech or the 3-day tour from Fes.
Zagora and the Draa Valley
Zagora is the gateway to the Draa Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves and earthen villages. Its dunes are much smaller than Erg Chebbi, but it is close enough to Marrakech, about seven hours each way, for a two-day trip.
- Minimum time: 2 days from Marrakech, with long drives both days.
- Best for: travellers short on time who still want a camp night and Ait Ben Haddou on the way.
- Good to know: if big dunes matter to you, Merzouga is worth the extra day.
Our 2-day Zagora desert tour covers this route.
Agafay, the desert next to Marrakech
Agafay is a stony desert of bare rolling hills about 45 minutes from Marrakech, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. There are no sand dunes. What it offers is quiet, big views and comfortable camps, without a day in the car.
- Minimum time: an afternoon and dinner, or one night.
- Best for: short stays in Marrakech, families with young children and anyone who dislikes long drives.
- Good to know: camel rides and quad bikes are available, but the experience is calmer and less wild than the Sahara.
Our 5-day tour from Casablanca ends with a night in Agafay, and you can read more in our Agafay guide.
What about Erg Chigaga?
Erg Chigaga, beyond M’Hamid in the far south, has large dunes and far fewer visitors than Merzouga. The last stretch is off-road by 4×4 and it is a long way from any city, so it suits travellers with plenty of time who want remoteness above all. Ask us if it interests you.
Desert camps: what to expect
Camps in all three areas range from basic to luxurious. On our tours, every package has tents with private bathrooms; air conditioning comes with the Luxury, Premium Luxury and VIP All-Inclusive packages. Dinner and breakfast are served at the camp, and nights are cold from November to March, even when the days are warm.
When to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons in the desert. Summer days at Merzouga often pass 40°C, so we plan early starts and keep the afternoon for rest. Winter brings clear skies and cold nights, close to freezing in the dunes.
Plan your private Morocco trip
Our local team plans private tours around your dates, pace and interests, with support 24/7. Explore our Morocco tour ideas or ask us to plan your trip.
