Sahara Desert Overnight Tour: Marrakech to Mhamid & Camel Ride

Summary

Atlas Mountains Crossing & Erg Lihoudi Sunset Camel Trek

You’ll cross wild mountain passes, wander ancient kasbahs with locals, ride camels into real Sahara dunes, and spend a night under desert stars—all in one trip.

What’s the experience like?

It’s still early when we pile into the van, the city just waking up as we leave Marrakech behind. The air gets cooler and thinner as we wind up the Tizi N'Tichka pass—honestly, I didn’t expect the road to zigzag so much. Our driver slows for a flock of sheep blocking the way, their bells echoing off rocky slopes. By the time we reach the top at 2260 meters, my ears pop and there’s snow clinging to some peaks even though it’s warm down below.

The first real stop is Ait Benhaddou. You can smell woodsmoke from tiny kitchens as you walk through the old ksar with our local guide, Hassan. He points out where scenes from “Gladiator” were filmed—hard to imagine Russell Crowe running these same dusty alleys. Lunch is tagine at a small café facing the mudbrick walls; it’s simple but hits the spot after all that driving.

Ouarzazate is next—a quick look at film studios (the props outside are sun-bleached and weirdly familiar) before heading south again. The landscape shifts fast: palm groves suddenly appear after another mountain pass, and you catch glimpses of kids waving from roadside gardens in Agdz. We bump along an old caravan route for a while—honestly, it’s rough but worth it for those views of the Draa Valley stretching forever.

We stop in Tamegroute where a local shows us a tiny underground kasbah and an old Koran library; it smells musty and ancient inside, like old paper and earth. By late afternoon we finally reach Oulad Driss. Camels are waiting—mine is called Mouloud and he grumbles when I climb up. The ride out onto Erg Lihoudi dunes is slow and peaceful; sand crunches underfoot, and there’s this dry wind that feels good after a long day in the car. Watching sunset from the top of a dune, I get why people talk about desert silence—it’s just you, some distant voices, and endless orange light.

Dinner happens around a fire at camp—a barbecue with bread baked right in the sand (I never knew bread could taste smoky). There’s music too: drums and singing that go late into the night under more stars than I’ve ever seen. Sleeping in a nomad tent isn’t fancy but honestly, I slept better than expected—the desert cools down fast after dark.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech

• Pickup from hotel
• Cross Atlas Mountains via Tizi N'Tichka pass
• Visit Ait Benhaddou kasbah and guided tour
• Stop in Ouarzazate and optional film studio tour
• Drive through Tizi n'Tinififft pass to Draa Valley
• Explore palm groves and visit Tamegroute kasbah
• Camel ride at Oulad Driss and sunset on dunes

Top questions

Is this Sahara tour suitable for kids?

Yes! Kids can join if they're with an adult—just keep in mind there's some walking and camel riding involved.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel trek lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way—enough time to really soak up the desert scenery.

Are meals included on this overnight tour?

Dinner and breakfast are both included—expect traditional Moroccan food cooked fresh at camp.

Do I need special gear or clothes?

No special gear needed—just bring comfy clothes for hot days and something warmer for cool desert nights.

What’s included

Your hotel or riad pickup and drop-off are covered. There’s private transport all along the route plus guided walks at Ait Benhaddou kasbahs. You’ll get dinner, breakfast, an hour-and-a-half camel ride out to camp (and back), plus your spot in a nomad tent for the night—all sorted so you can just enjoy every moment out there.