Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco: From Fes to Marrakech (2024)

Climbing a massive sand dune for sunrise was just one of the many highlights of my Sahara Desert tour in Morocco. The experience was everything I dreamed of as a child and more. I was fascinated by it from history books in grade school, and I never expected to see it one day. Thankfully, Morocco offers relatively easy access to the spectacular Sahara.

My friends and I wanted to stay at least 2 nights in the Sahara Desert but we had limited time in Morocco so we decided to settle for an overnight stay. We also planned to see other must-visit places in the Atlas Mountains, so we booked a trip with Mouhou Tours. They had arranged a 3D/2N trip for us from Fes to Marrakech. To anyone planning a Sahara Desert Tour from Fes or Marrakech, this personal review of our 3-day Sahara Desert Private Tour is for you. Here I will share our experience, including the places we visited, itinerary, costs, what to expect, and more.

In case you missed it, I created a Morocco itinerary for first time visitors. Check it out if you’re planning a trip to Morocco!

Private Tour vs. DIY Tour in Sahara Desert

Before I tell you more about our trip, let me just share with why I decided to avail a private tour for our group instead of our usual DIY-style travel. As first time travellers in Morocco, my friends and I are not confident with navigation, especially in Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains. We also thought that it will be extremely hard to ask the locals for directions if we can’t speak decent French and Arabic.

In addition, a private tour with an expert guide aided us with more cultural appreciation. Our driver/tour guide, Ali from Mouhou Tours, introduced us to the local culture, history of the places we visited and other stuff we would have never known if we did the tour on our own.

We hated the idea of being shuffled around like cattle and being stuck in a big bus with other tourists we did not know so we settled for a private tour. Group tours normally have very tight schedule and minimal freedom so we chose to pay extra for a private experience. We get to stop whenever we want and go wherever we want. It was truly worth it! 

Do you really need to ride a camel in Sahara Desert? 

That was the question I had in mind when I was in Morocco. I despise the idea of using animals for human entertainment and that includes going to the zoo or riding an elephant. It’s my ultimate goal to be an ethical traveller because I care about animal rights and I have zero interest in contributing to a cruel system. The problem: camel riding is required to get to the desert camp. I can walk in the desert but the idea of encountering sand snakes, scorpions and god-knows-what-other-poisonous-creature hiding in the sand freaked me out. 

Thankfully, the camels I did see being used in the desert seemed pretty well cared for. Ali, our driver/tour guide from Mouhou Tours, assured me that the owners treat them well because this is how they earn a living. He said camels are sensitive and if they are treated badly during training, it would be a real problem for the owner. Our desert guide, Hassan, the young man on this photo, was really kind to the camels. He really cared about them. One of the camels got stressed out when my friend Mond tried to hop on his back. He just gently rubbed its big tummy and said something. The camel then let my friend hop on his back. Hassan “the Camel Whisperer” was really great! 

Our 3-Day Sahara Desert Itinerary

Day 1 – Fes to Merzouga

At exactly 8 in the morning, we were picked up by Ali from our accommodation in the Medina of Fes. We made a brief stop at Ifrane, considered as Morocco’s “Little Switzerland.” From the Swiss town, we made our next stop at the Cedar Forest located in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Aside from the vast area covered in Cedar Tress, considered by many to be Morocco’s national treasure, we found troops of wild Barbary Apes who were being fed by tourists who were passing by. 

Then we finally reached Merzouga for the much-awaited Sahara Desert camping…

Camel trekking in Sahara Desert wasn’t that easy. To access the camp from Merzouga, we had to brave a 1-hour camel ride through countless dunes. It was NOTHING like riding a horse. You get on a camel while it’s laying down on the ground, and if you don’t hold on tight to the saddle metal frame, then you will shoot up in the air as they rise quickly. Imagine riding a mechanical bull in a theme park. That’s how scary it was for me. Thank God Camelia (yes, I named him) cooperated and didn’t break my neck. Lol.

After an hour, our group reached the desert camp located in the middle of nowhere. All the tents featured views of the desert. We had access to a simple but private bathroom. That night, we were treated with traditional, Moroccan music and dinner, while looking at the stars. There were so many stars in the sky that night and it reminded me of those nights I spent with my friends at remote beaches in the Philippines.  It was such a beautiful night that I will never forget.

Day 2 – Merzouga to Todra Valley to Dades Valley

The next morning, my friends and I woke up early to climb the nearest sand dune. We took pictures of ourselves on the dunes then sat down to wait for the greatest show. Seriously. It was one of the best sunrises I have ever seen. It was magical. I felt so grateful to be able to visit Sahara Desert in Morocco. 

After breakfast at the desert camp, our group travelled back to Merzouga. We rode the camels again, which was certainly much easier and less scary. Our second day was spent driving towards Todra Valley and Dades Valley in the High Atlas Mountain area. We made a stop at a viewpoint to get an excellent view of a lush palmerie oasis in a Berber village called Tinghir. I was so amazed by this immense green palmeries which stretch out as far as the eyes can see. The scenery was just incredible and honestly, it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Morocco.

Day 3 – Dades Valley to Marrakech

Aside from Sahara Desert, the part where I am so excited about before the trip was Ait Ben Haddou, the real-life City of Yunaki in the Game of Thrones. Seeing it from our car’s window almost made me cry tears of joy! I was really geeking out on it because it was really amazing! Lots of little spots to see and explore. And of course, a photo at the gate of Ait Ben Haddou channeling my inner Daenerys Targeryen is a must!

Overall Experience

In a nutshell, our 3-day Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco is one of the best tours I have ever had. I felt like we went from highlight to highlight during our trip, so it is difficult for me to say which one is my favorite experience. The thrilling camel trekking to get to our desert camp and the awe-inspiring landscapes of Sahara Desert; Visiting the oasis in the Atlas Mountains; Walking along the Gorges; and just simply travelling in the company of my friends were all highlights. I returned to the Philippines with plenty of wonderful memories.

In fact, I’m hoping to repeat the same trip again when I go back to Morocco, just next time in autumn or winter for a different perspective. I highly recommend Mouhou Tours, and would also recommend joining a private or small group tour to get the most of your trip.

Some Tips for Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco

1. Bring sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, sunglasses, scarf, and a hat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. 
2. Bring cash in Moroccan Dirhams (euros and dollars if you have them) for any purchases or tips, as credit cards may not be accepted in remote areas.
3. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes or sandals suitable for walking in sand. Closed-toe shoes are ideal for camel rides and walking on uneven terrain.
4. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and layer up for warmth during cooler evenings. 
5. Make sure to fully charge your camera before the tour starts. Pack spare battery, power bank and memory cards to capture all those amazing landscapes.
6. Pack some motion sickness pills, anti-histamine and other over-the-counter medication. You’ll never know when you are going to need those.
7. Bring a water bottle and plenty of water – it is a desert after all!
8. In planning a Sahara Desert tour in Morocco, choose a reliable company that definitely takes care of their camels. I am no expert but I can honestly tell you that we didn’t see any mistreated camels in Merzouga or Erg Chebbi. Read TripAdvisor reviews or tell the tour company that you will not ride a camel in bad condition.

Travel Insurance for Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco

While the odds of something going wrong are slim, it never hurts to be prepared. Getting a travel insurance safeguards you against unexpected events, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost items. In rare cases, like desert accidents in the Sahara, having coverage is invaluable. We chose World Nomads for our travel insurance in Morocco before our trip; it cost less than a fancy dinner and provided priceless peace of mind. Thankfully, our 2-week adventure in Morocco went smoothly, and we didn’t need to use it.