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An Honest Marrakech Desert Trips Review
This post is all about my honest Marrakech Desert Trips Review.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Marrakech Desert Trips – What You Need to Know
Here’s everything you need to know about booking a Marrakech Desert Trips experience.
Planning your desert tour can be stressful because you are about to embark on the TRIP of a lifetime.
I can’t even count how many hours I had spent searching for real reviews about the best desert tours. My endless Morocco research prompted me to write this honest Marrakech Desert Trips review to help future travelers have an easier time finding a reliable company.
It was important to me that I had chosen the very best company because I was just twenty years old and was traveling with my best friend. We were two young females dreaming of a desert adventure and picking the safest tour with the best value was highly important.
The tour we booked can be found here.
My Sahara Desert Essentials
Here’s a Complete Non-Sponsored Marrakech Desert Trips Review.
What type of traveler(s) is this suited for?
Anyone would love this tour; Couples, solo travelers, friends, etc.
A moderately active skill level is required as there’s some light hiking and camel riding involved. However, they do offer motor transport options for those not able to ride camels.
Budget
For the 3 days Shared Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour, it is โฌ89 which is approximately $97 USD. This includes nice accommodations, transportation, and most of your meals. It’s such a great value, and totally worth it.
Don’t Forget Your FREE Marrakech Printable
Here’s your free Marrakech printable to take with you on your Morocco trip so you don’t miss a thing.
Marrakech Desert Trip Itinerary
Day 1
MARRAKECH โ ATLAS MOUNTAINS โ KASBAH AIT BEN HADOU โ DADES VALLEY
(6 hours driving + stops)
Start your day bright and early, departing from Marrakech.
Your tour guides will communicate the meeting point on WhatsApp beforehand.
Something you should know – you will be spending a whole lot of time with your driver. Our driver was AMAZING.
First stop, Atlas Mountains!
Stop #2 – Aรฏt Benhaddou
Aรฏt Benhaddou is your second stop on your 3 day Sahara tour.
This is a popular filming location as it’s been seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You will have a tour guide and stop for lunch (which will be on your own dime). You will be expected to tip the tour guide as well.
I do remember this guide was not particularly very friendly here, however, the tour company has no control over the guides at tourist destinations like this. Enjoy your time and get some pics in the sandy city!
Stop #3 – Dades Valley
The Dades Valley is made up of rugged gorges carved out by the Dades River in Morocco. This will be your last stop of the day! The roads to get to your hotel are a bit crazy, so if you get car sick easily, bring some medicine to calm your stomach.
Day 2:
DADES VALLEY โ TINGHIR โ MERZOUGA โ SAHARA DESERT
(4 hours driving + stops)
You’ll likely wake up early and get to enjoy breakfast before departing. Shortly after you depart, your driver will stop to allow you some time to explore the stunning valley.
Next stop – Tinghir
This was one of my favorite stops on our tour.
Here you’ll get a glance at what a traditional Berber home looks like, along with the skill and time it takes to craft traditional Berber carpets. While they give you an extensive guide to Berber carpentry, you’ll be treated to hot Moroccan tea.
Next, Merzouga!
At this point, you are SO close to the Sahara Desert, you can nearly see it. Riding along the highway straight into the sand dunes was one of the most jaw-dropping moments.
Once you arrive at the tour base, you will have the opportunity to quickly use the restrooms and pack a small overnight bag. There is no way that you will be able to pack all of your luggage onto your camel, nor will you want to.
They will securely lock up the rest of your luggage for you. They will do a quick Berber turban demonstration if you’d like to ride your camel like a true Berber! Also, it really does help keep the sand out of your eyes, along with some sunglasses.
What you need before getting on the camel: thick pants, a headscarf, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a small overnight bag.
Finally, The Sahara Desert.
A massive check off the bucket list! Camping overnight in the Sahara is still one of the most exciting travel experiences I’ve ever had. The seemingly endless golden dunes are pure serenity and bliss.
Traveling to camp, via Camel.
It’s not every day that you can say you rode a camel to your accommodation! Your trek to your overnight camp is LONG. Our inner thighs were sore for days. This is why it is especially important that you wear very thick pants.
Don’t worry, there will be plenty of chances to get your photos!
Camping in the Sahara Desert.
After you’ve finally arrived at the camp, you’ll quickly get settled in your tent and prepare for a delicious dinner. All of the meals on this trip were really impressive, and this one did not disappoint! Most of the dishes we ate during our tour were mainly Vegetarian.
Following dinner, you will be treated to a beautiful night under the stars. There will be music, dancing, stargazing, and our guides even took us on a sand dune hike! Sledding down the dunes at midnight is a moment I will cherish forever.
Take this time to really engage and get to know your tour guides. They are all young, most of them in their 20s, and are crazy intelligent! Some of them are fluent in several languages. They are happy. to teach you about their culture if you’re willing to listen.
Camping in the Sahara Desert consists of large private tents (for an upgrade) with beds & blankets and restrooms. It’s really more like Glamping!
Be sure to check the weather beforehand.. my glamping in December was scorching hot during the day and FREEZING at nighttime.
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Day 3:
MERZOUGA โ OUARZAZATE โ ATLAS MOUNTAINS โ MARRAKECH
(9 hours + stops)
Prepare to wake up very early the next morning to begin your camel trek back to the tour base in Merzouga, where an elaborate breakfast awaits. There will be 1-2 more stops for photo ops on the way back, but not near as many as the day before, so be sure to take advantage of your final moments in the beautiful Sahara Desert.
Back on the road again!
The route from the Sahara back to Marrakech doesn’t have many tourist stops so be prepared for loads of car time.
Ouarzazate will be your main stop on the way back to Marrakech, where you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch & quick look at Atlas Studios.
Atlas Studios is the world’s largest film studio. Iconic film and television shows such as Indiana Jones, Game of Thrones, Aladdin (2019), Mummy, Gladiator, and more have used this lot to film on. Unfortunately, you don’t really get a tour of the grounds, it’s really just a quick stop to stretch your legs and walk around outside the gates.
Back on the road to Marrakesh.
You should arrive in Marrakesh/ Marrakech at around 7 pm. Your driver should drop you off at, or within walking distance to your accommodation.
This tour was so spectacular, and completely exceeded our expectations. For such a low price, you really get your money’s worth and an experience of a lifetime.
That concludes a full 3 Day Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert!
I hope you found this Marrakech Desert Trips Review of their 3 day shared Sahara Desert experience helpful.
This Sahara Desert tour is undeniably worth it due to the mesmerizing and otherworldly landscapes that await adventurers. The unique experience of seeing vast sand dunes, witnessing breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and immersing in the rich Berber culture is truly unforgettable. Stargazing under clear desert skies and embracing a sense of tranquility amid the endless expanse of the Sahara make this journey a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed.
This post was all about Marrakech Desert Trips Review.
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