The Sahara starts here!
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Mountain roads to Ait Benhaddou
It’s time to head into the desert, but before you touch your feet in the sand dunes you’ll stop overnight in Ait Benhaddou. If you’re coming from the picturesque Dades Valley then it’s a drive of three hours, but you’ll probably be travelling from Marrakech which is also about three hours away. We recommend starting early then you’re not rushed and will have time to explore on arrival. From Marrakech. it’s a scenic drive that takes you across the Atlas Mountains. From the highest point of the pass there are sweeping views across the mountains and the road winding through the rocks way down in the valley. On the other side of the mountains you’ll enter a desert-like landscape, with arid areas interspersed by lush green palm oases. You’ll spend the night directly opposite the famous kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This red mudbrick fortified village seems frozen in time and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We recommend visiting the kasbah this afternoon because you’ll be continuing into the desert tomorrow
Day 2 – Camel ride into the desert and overnight in a tented camp
After breakfast it’s time to hit the road again and begin your desert adventure. The journey will take around 5.5 hours via the desert town of Zagora, through a lunar landscape and the last palm oasis to M’Hamid which is located on the edge of the Sahara. Here you’ll leave your car and climb onto a camel for the final journey into the desert. After around 1.5 hours of plodding through the dunes you will see a traditional Bedouin tented camp, which is where you will be spending the night. The camp consists of a maximum of 15 tents with basic facilities. You’ll sleep on a mattress in a tent. There’s a separate tent where meals are served and a tent with basic sanitary facilities. After a traditional meal, you can spend hours watching the starry sky. The sensation of being surrounded by endless desert is incredibly calming and the silence is overwhelming. It can cool down considerably in the evening, so it’s advisable to pack a warm sweater.
Day 3 – Sunrise over the dunes, then onto Zagora
Getting up early for a spectacular sunrise over the dunes is highly recommended. After an early camp breakfast, as the temperature starts to rise, climb back on your camel and slowly plod out of the desert back to M’Hamid. Having swapped four-legged transportation for four wheels, continue your journey to Zagora, where you will spend the night. In our experience it’s nice to have a day of relaxing after a night in the desert, instead of rushing off to the next stop. The riad in Zagora we have selected is set amongst tropical gardens and benefits from a swimming pool. Use this day as a rest day or explore the atmosphere in the village of Zagora.
If you’re short on time, we can remove this night in Zagora and you can jump back in your car at M’Hamid and continue to your next destination.
Day 4 – Depart Zagora
After a day or relaxation you’ll be ready to continue your Moroccan journey. Head to Marrakech and delve deep into the city’s souks, or swap desert for mountains and trek through Berber villages near Tafraoute, or drive to the coast to continue your R&R time on the beach in Agadir. Speak to our Morocco Travel Specialists for suggestions.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
More comfort in the desert
If the desert camp in this bite-sized trip sounds a little too basic for you, we can offer a more comfortable alternative. You’ll sleep in a comfortable Berber tent complete with a bed and en-suite toilet facilities. There is a separate tent furnished with tables and chairs, where meals are served. Whilst it’s a step up from our simple Bedouin tent option, don’t expect too much luxury here – it’s still camping in the desert! If you would like to upgrade your camping experience, and your accommodation in Ait Benhaddou, select our In Style option below.
