PRIVATE TOUR — 2 Day Marrakech Desert Tour to Merzouga
OVERVIEW
This 2 days Marrakech desert tour is the short version of the classic Sahara run — built for travellers who don’t have a week to spare but still want to ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep a night in the desert. You leave Marrakech in the morning, cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, pass the historic earthen architecture of Ait Ben Haddou, and reach the big dunes at Merzouga by late afternoon — the real sand sea, not the rocky desert near Zagora or the stony plains of Agafay.
The trade-off with two days is the driving: it’s a long way out and a long way back, and you spend a fair amount of the trip in the car. What you get for it is a genuine night under the stars in a luxury camp, a sunset and a sunrise over the dunes, and a campfire evening of Berber music — the core of the Sahara experience, compressed into the time you have.
Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
Why a private 2 days desert tour from Marrakech?
Set off on our private 2 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with Morocco Fabulous Travel and enjoy a desert escape you won’t forget. This tailored trip gives you a private vehicle and an experienced driver/guide who travels with you from Marrakech to Merzouga and back, sharing plenty about Morocco’s lively culture along the way.
Our 2 day desert tour is built around a genuine Sahara experience, with a fully flexible itinerary shaped around your interests, needs, and budget. You can also pick the desert camp that suits you best.
Choosing this 2 days tour means you’ll experience the real dunes of Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi — the towering sand sea — rather than the rocky desert around Zagora or the stony plains of Agafay.
Everything you can look forward to is laid out in the itinerary below.
DURATION: 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
START: MARRAKECH
END: MARRAKECH
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE
HIGHLIGHTS
– Crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass
– Scenic mountain driving on the road from Marrakech to Merzouga
– A photo stop at the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, seen from across the riverbed
– Camel trekking across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Sunset and sunrise over the Merzouga desert
– A campfire evening of Berber drumming and music
– A night under the stars in a luxury desert camp
Day 1: Marrakech -> High Atlas Mountains -> Merzouga desert
Your 2 day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga opens with an early morning pick-up from your hotel or riad. Leaving the city behind, you’ll climb into the beautiful High Atlas Mountains, pausing to soak up the mountain scenery. After a scenic lunch break, the road carries on east across the pre-desert to Merzouga.
By late afternoon your camels are ready to lead you into the Erg Chebbi dunes. You’ll stop on a high ridge to watch the sun set over the sand, then continue on to the desert camp, where a private tent is waiting. Once you’ve settled in, there’s a tasty dinner followed by a campfire evening of drumming and Berber songs, with the stars overhead.
Day 2: Merzouga desert -> Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah -> Marrakech
We suggest an early start to catch a magnificent sunrise over the dunes. After a good breakfast, a 4×4 brings you from the camp back to the village of Merzouga, and from there the drive heads west towards Marrakech with several stops on the way, including a lunch break.
The main stop is the panoramic viewpoint over the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1987. It’s also a favourite of filmmakers, having appeared in productions such as Kingdom of Heaven, Prince of Persia, and Game of Thrones. You’ll reach Marrakech in the late afternoon, with drop-off at your riad marking the end of your 2 day Marrakech desert tour.
Booking & Payment
How early should I book my Morocco tour?
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling during spring, autumn, or holiday seasons. Early reservations guarantee better availability, a wider choice of accommodations, and more flexibility to personalise your itinerary.
How do I pay for my tour?
Booking is simple. We require a small deposit to secure your reservation, which can be paid via PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer. The remaining balance is paid directly to your driver-guide in cash on the first day of your tour. We accept Euros (€), US Dollars ($), and Moroccan Dirhams (MAD).
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Our cancellation terms are clearly explained on our Cancellation Policy page. We recommend reviewing the policy before confirming your reservation.
Can I create my own itinerary?
Absolutely! Every private Morocco tour can be fully customised. Whether you want to change destinations, extend your trip, upgrade hotels, or add unique experiences, we’ll design an itinerary that perfectly matches your travel style, schedule, and budget.
Transportation
What type of vehicles do you use?
We use modern, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles depending on your group size.
Every vehicle is professionally maintained to ensure a safe and comfortable journey across Morocco.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes. We can collect you from any Moroccan airport at the beginning of your trip and drop you off at the end. Your driver will be waiting with your name upon arrival. Flights are not included in the tour price.
Which airport should I fly into?
Most international travelers arrive in:
You can also start your tour from:
We’ll help you choose the best airport based on your itinerary.
Driver-Guides
Who will be our guide?
Our professional driver-guides are experienced locals who know Morocco inside and out. They don’t just drive—they introduce you to Moroccan culture, history, traditions, hidden places, and local life, making your journey much more meaningful.
Do your guides speak English?
Yes. English is our standard language. We can also arrange guides who speak French, Spanish, Italian, German, or other languages upon request, depending on availability.
Accommodation
What type of hotels do you offer?
We carefully select quality accommodations throughout Morocco, including:
Every accommodation is chosen for comfort, cleanliness, excellent service, and authentic Moroccan charm.
Are the desert camps luxury?
Yes. We only work with luxury desert camps.
Every tent includes:
We do not use standard camps with shared facilities.
Can I choose my hotels?
Of course. We’ll provide several carefully selected accommodation options based on your budget. If you already have a hotel or riad you’d like to stay in, we’ll gladly include it whenever possible.
Sahara Desert & Activities
How far is the Sahara Desert from Marrakesh?
The Merzouga Sahara Desert is approximately 560 km (348 miles) from Marrakesh. Because of the distance, our tours include scenic overnight stops, allowing you to enjoy the journey rather than spending an entire day driving.
How far is the Sahara Desert from Fes?
The drive from Fes to Merzouga covers approximately 500 km (310 miles).
How far is Casablanca from Merzouga?
Casablanca is about 660 km (410 miles) from the Sahara Desert. We usually recommend a 5-day (or longer) itinerary to enjoy the journey comfortably.
Do I have to ride a camel?
Not at all.
If camel riding isn’t for you, we’ll transfer you to your luxury desert camp by comfortable 4×4 vehicle at no additional cost.
What activities can I do in the Sahara?
Besides the famous camel trek and overnight desert camp experience, you can also enjoy:
Can I add extra activities to my trip?
Absolutely.
Popular additions include:
Tour Experience
What’s the difference between a private tour and a shared tour?
Private Tour
Shared Tour
Both options provide excellent service—the choice simply depends on your travel style and budget.
Is 7 days enough to visit Morocco?
Yes.
A well-planned 7-day itinerary allows you to experience many of Morocco’s highlights, including:
It’s one of the most popular trip lengths for first-time visitors.
What can I see in one week?
In seven days, you can explore:
Which 7-day itinerary is best?
The best route depends on your arrival airport.
Popular options include:
We’ll recommend the ideal itinerary based on your flight schedule.
Why book with us?
As a local Moroccan tour operator, we offer:
Meals
Are meals included?
Most desert tours include:
Lunches are generally not included, giving you the freedom to choose where you’d like to eat during the day. Each tour page clearly lists what’s included.
Can you accommodate special diets?
Yes.
We happily accommodate:
Simply let us know your dietary requirements when booking, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements throughout your journey.
We booked the 4 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. Our driver was always punctual, friendly and shared interesting information throughout the journey. The sunrise over the dunes was unforgettable, and visiting traditional Moroccan dinner made the itinerary even more special. Hotels were comfortable, the organization was flawless, and every day offered beautiful scenery and authentic Moroccan culture. We would happily recommend this tour to friends and family visiting Morocco.
We booked the 4 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. Our driver was always punctual, friendly and shared interesting information throughout the journey. The sunrise over the dunes was unforgettable, and visiting traditional Moroccan dinner made the itinerary even more special. Hotels were comfortable, the organization was flawless, and every day offered beautiful scenery and authentic Moroccan culture. We would happily recommend this tour to friends and family visiting Morocco.
We booked the Luxury 5 Days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. Our driver was always punctual, friendly and shared interesting information throughout the journey. The luxury desert camp was unforgettable, and visiting Chefchaouen made the itinerary even more special. Hotels were comfortable, the organization was flawless, and every day offered beautiful scenery and authentic Moroccan culture. We would happily recommend this tour to friends and family visiting Morocco.
We booked the Luxury 5 Days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. Our driver was always punctual, friendly and shared interesting information throughout the journey. The luxury desert camp was unforgettable, and visiting Chefchaouen made the itinerary even more special. Hotels were comfortable, the organization was flawless, and every day offered beautiful scenery and authentic Moroccan culture. We would happily recommend this tour to friends and family visiting Morocco.
We booked the 4 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. Our driver was always punctual, friendly and shared interesting information throughout the journey. The Todra Gorge was unforgettable, and visiting Atlas Mountains made the itinerary even more special. Hotels were comfortable, the organization was flawless, and every day offered beautiful scenery and authentic Moroccan culture. We would happily recommend this tour to friends and family visiting Morocco.
