2-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Zagora: Camel ride & camp

A couple of days, several mountain passes, an overnight in the dunes

A 2-day guided tour from Marrakech to Zagora in the Sahara, with hotel pickup, 4x4 transport, a licensed guide at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, camel rides at sunset and sunrise, overnight camp accommodation, all meals and a local driver throughout. The route crosses the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass in the High Atlas, stops at the UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou, and traverses Draa Valley before reaching the desert.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Zagora Desert Adventure

• Drive through Tizi-n'Tichka Pass
• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Traverse Draa Valley and ksar villages
• Watch sunset on camelback in Zagora dunes
• Dinner at Berber camp under stars

Day 2: Zagora Desert to Marrakech Return

• Watch sunrise and have breakfast at camp
• Return through Ouarzazate and Atlas Mountains

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup between 7 and 8 in the morning and climbs into the High Atlas, crossing the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass where the views open across the mountains. From there the route drops into Draa Valley, a landscape of fortified villages and kasbahs that fill the day with stops for photos and a licensed guide at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where centuries of history sit in the stone. By late afternoon you're in the Zagora dunes, where you ride a camel to watch the sunset, then return to camp for dinner under the stars and a night in a tent.

Day two reverses the route. You wake early for sunrise over the dunes, ride camels again after breakfast, then head back through Ouarzazate and the Atlas Mountains toward Marrakech. The whole journey runs on a fixed schedule (transport, meals, guide and camel rides are all arranged), so the two days hold together without you building the logistics. A local driver stays with you both days. The guide joins at Ait Ben Haddou and travels with the group through the valley.

Accommodation is either a standard or deluxe camp depending on which option you choose at checkout, and the price includes dinner and breakfast both nights. Drinks are separate. Tips for the driver and guides are optional on some options, included on others. You'll see which when you select your camp level.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Marrakech between 7 and 8 in the morning and drop-off on day two.
• 4x4 or minibus transport throughout.
• a knowledgeable local driver for both days.
• a licensed guide at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
• camel rides at sunset on day one and sunrise on day two.
• overnight accommodation in a Standard or Deluxe Berber camp.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard CampGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Overnight in a standard desert camp, sharing a tent and a bathroom tent with others. Pickup is included.

Deluxe Camp (RECOMMENDED)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Overnight in a deluxe desert camp, with a private tent and a private bathroom. Pickup is included.

Upgrade to a deluxe tent with a private bathroomGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Deluxe accommodation with a private vehicle (4x4 or van). Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 2d, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 98 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and French and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Discover sahara tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both the High Atlas and Sahara in two days. Choose Deluxe camp for a private tent, or Standard for a shared one.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Do I need experience to ride a camel?

Camel rides happen twice (at sunset on day one and after sunrise on day two), and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The rides are part of the standard itinerary, not an optional add-on.

What is Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou?

Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site you visit on day one. It is a fortified village where centuries of history are preserved in the architecture, and a licensed guide accompanies the group through it.

Is hotel pickup included in Marrakech?

Yes, the tour includes hotel pickup between 7 and 8 in the morning on day one and drop-off back in Marrakech on day two.

What's the difference between the Standard and Deluxe camp options?

Both options include the same itinerary, guide, camel rides and meals. The difference is the camp accommodation itself (Standard or Deluxe), which you choose at checkout. The Deluxe option is marked as recommended.

Are drinks included in the tour?

Dinner and breakfast are included both nights, but drinks and beverages are not. You can purchase them separately during the tour.