How to Reach the Desert from Marrakech? Travel Guide on how to get to the desert Sahara

How to get to the Desert from Marrakech

Marrakech serves as a doorway to Morocco’s stunning deserts, ranging from globally renowned Erg Chebbi dunes to expansive Sahara deserts. The following is the descriptive travel guide on how to get to the desert from Marrakech, ranging from transport to tours and arrival tips.

The Best Way to Travel to the Desert

 Private Tours

The most relaxing and trouble-free way of desert touring is a private tour. A private tour is a versatile type of tour, in which you see incredible sights, get a Morocco custom tour itinerary, and enjoy the real thing. The tourists mostly opt for a Morocco desert tour that includes transport, accommodation, and tours. The tours are trouble-free, in which you don’t miss the climax of the desert sights.

Morocco Group Tours

Group tours from Marrakech are a great option for budget tourists. Group tours have the benefit of offering transport, food, and guide services at a lower price. A group Morocco desert tour gives tourists the benefit of splitting the cost but also getting a guided desert tour. Among the most popular options are a 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga or a 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, both of which give enough time to appreciate the dunes.

3. Drive Yourself to the Desert

Or, if you don’t mind being by yourself, driving and car rental can be booked as well. Remember the lengths and road quality. Some of these trips, such as Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour, take 9-10 hours. A 4×4 car rental is recommended since some of the roads leading to desert camps are not paved. The majority of people who drive themselves combine a tour with day trips to the Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, and the Dades Valley.

Public Transport (Bus or Taxi)

Public transport exists, even though it is not so convenient. Supratours and CTM buses travel to Merzouga, where you can arrange local guides for a desert adventure tour. Once you arrive, you can take a Marrakech desert tour with camel trekking and overnight camping. For someone with a tight schedule, a bus trip accompanied by an organized Morocco camel tours experience provides a convenient trip.

Best Desert Destinations to Visit

Merzouga Desert (Erg Chebbi Dunes)

Most famous dunes in Morocco.

Perfect for a Merzouga camel trek.

Constituent of such a trip as a 4 day Marrakech to Merzouga tour or a 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.

Zagora Desert

• Close to Marrakech (around 6-7 hours).
  Zagora Desert
• Close to Marrakech (around 6-7 hours).
• Smaller dunes than Merzouga.
• Typically included in shorter tours such as a 2 day tour from Marrakech to Zagora.

Recommended Desert Tours from Marrakech

A 5 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: A comprehensive Sahara experience.

A 5 days tour from Marrakech to Tangier: Desert and northern Morocco in one.

A Marrakech to Fes 3 day desert tour: Best for those traveling to Fes.

7 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech: Puts desert and culture spots together.

7 days tour from Casablanca to Marrakech: The complete Morocco experience.

A Morocco tours from Marrakech for those who wish to explore more of culture.

Adventure Activities in the Moroccan Desert

• Camel Trekking

A Merzouga camel ride is one of the most effective ways to tour the rolling dunes of the Sahara. For a sunset ride or multi-day expedition, camel trekking is a true desert experience. Camel trekking is included in most of the Marrakech desert vacations.

• Sandboarding

Adrenaline seekers can try a Merzouga sandboarding at the golden dunes. The activity is usually part of Marrakech desert tours and is an adrenaline rush activity, which is equal to snowboarding.

• Camping Overnight

An overnight camel trek Merzouga and desert camping in a Berber camp is something that should not be given a miss in a desert journey. A night or an evening spent in a luxury or budget desert camp, music, stories, and stargazing, is often included in a Morocco desert tour.

• 4×4 and Quad Biking

For the braver tourist, a substitute for camel riding is a quad biking or 4×4 excursion across the dunes. These are usually pre-booked by tourists as part of their Morocco desert trips package.

FAQs About Getting to the Desert from Marrakech

How do I go from Marrakech to the desert?

Private tour, group tour, car hire, or public transport. Private Morocco tours are most comfortable and buses are cheapest. A few tourists book a Marrakech to Fes 3 days desert tour to also visit Fes in addition to the desert trip.

Which desert is closest to Marrakech?

The closest desert is Zagora, 6-7 hours away by car. For a perfect desert adventure, the best place is Merzouga (Erg Chebbi). If time allows, book a 5 day Marrakech to Merzouga tour for a complete desert experience.

How far is the desert from Marrakech?

Merzouga is about 560 km (9-10 hours), and Zagora is approximately 350 km (6-7 hours). Should you wish for a more extensive excursion, there is a 7 day tour from Tangier to Marrakech with visits to the desert as well as some of the cultural points of interest.

How do I go to Merzouga from Marrakech?

To witness the famous sand dunes, organize a Marrakech desert tour with an overnight stay at a desert camp, Merzouga camel trekking, and possibly sandboarding. All these are included in most of the Morocco tours from Marrakech.

Conclusion

Getting to the desert from Marrakech is an experience in itself. You can take a Morocco desert trip and enjoy limitless space and beautiful scenaries. Or, if not, you can take a Morocco desert tour from Marrakech with the experience of witnessing the colorfulness of Berber cultures in the bygone times and beautiful dunes of sand.

Or perhaps go to the Sahara for a Marrakech desert excursion, leaving behind the coloured city and moving into yellow sand dunes. And another adventure activity has a Marrakech desert tour, where they provide such adventurous activities as camel riding, sandboarding, and an overnight stay. Wherever your travel plans are, there is Morocco desert magic.