Agafay Desert: Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Dinner Show from Marrakech

Summary

Quad biking the Agafay dunes, camel rides at sunset, Moroccan dinner by fire

You’ll leave Marrakech behind for an evening of quad biking across Agafay’s wild terrain, meeting locals at an argan oil cooperative before riding camels into sunset light. Share Moroccan dishes by bonfire glow while Berber musicians play nearby. You might find yourself smiling about it days later.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — tires crunching over gravel as we left Marrakech behind. Our driver hummed along to the radio (I caught a few words in French), windows down just enough to let in that dry desert air. We stopped at this women’s cooperative for argan oil; the smell inside was nutty and sweet, and one of the ladies let me try grinding with the old stone mill. My arms tired out embarrassingly fast. She just smiled and poured us tea — minty, hot, almost too sweet but somehow perfect for that moment.

Then came the quad bikes. Not gonna lie, I was nervous — I’d never driven one before and thought I’d stall it right away. Our guide Youssef gave a quick demo (his English is solid but he kept switching to Darija with his friend, which made me laugh). The Agafay Desert isn’t all sand like I pictured; more rocky hills and pale gold dust everywhere. We rode in pairs — my friend drove first while I clung on, half thrilled, half terrified every time we hit a bump. There was this one spot where you could see all the way back to Marrakech if you squinted through the haze.

I didn’t expect to like the camel ride as much as I did. The camels looked so unimpressed with us — mine kept making these deep grumbling noises whenever I shifted in the saddle. The sun started dropping fast then, turning everything orange-pink. It got quiet except for some distant laughter from another group and that slow shuffling sound of hooves on gravel. My phone photos don’t do it justice; you kind of had to be there.

Dinner was outside under these big canvas tents near a bonfire. Plates piled up with tagine and salads (the bread was still warm), plus this smoky grilled chicken that disappeared before I could ask for seconds. There were musicians playing Berber songs — drums and singing that got louder as it got darker — and at some point someone started dancing around the fire with a torch, which was way cooler than I expected. On the drive back to Marrakech I felt dusty and tired but weirdly content — maybe it was just being out there for a while without any city noise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert journey, quad biking, camel ride, dinner

• Travel 45 minutes from Marrakech
• Visit Argan oil cooperative
• Enjoy fragrant tea and hospitality
• Choose quad biking or camel ride
• Watch sunset over desert dunes
• Dine on traditional Moroccan buffet
• Attend Moroccan music and bonfire show

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Marrakech to Agafay Desert?

The drive from Marrakech to Agafay Desert takes about 45 minutes each way.

Is hotel pickup included in this Agafay Desert tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included with an air-conditioned vehicle.

How long do we ride quad bikes in Agafay?

The quad bike ride lasts about 30 minutes per pair (two people per quad).

Can solo travelers join the quad biking?

Yes, but solo riders pay an extra 100 DH for their own quad if group numbers are uneven.

What’s included in the dinner show?

Dinner includes a buffet of Moroccan dishes followed by live Berber music and a fire show.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts approximately 15 minutes through part of the desert area.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do we visit an argan oil cooperative during this trip?

Yes, there’s a stop at a traditional women’s argan oil cooperative en route to Agafay Desert.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle from Marrakech, a stop at a women’s argan oil cooperative with tea tasting, 30 minutes of quad biking (shared between two people per vehicle), a 15-minute camel ride at sunset, traditional Moroccan dinner under tents with Berber music and dance performances by firelight before heading back to your hotel.