October 2026
A very good experience. A superb, very well organised outing with our guide Youssef! Very good communication with Mohamed! Toubkal in one day! Mission accomplished! I recommend it
Translated from French
2-Day Zagora Desert Trip from Marrakech
The desert in two days: over the High Atlas, past Aït Benhaddou and down the palm groves of the Draa valley to the dunes near Zagora for a camel ride and a night at camp.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Level
- Easy
- Highest point
- 2,260 m
- Starts
- Marrakesh (riad or hotel)
- Price per person
- Price on request
The tour
Short on time but keen to see the desert? Zagora, in the Draa valley, is the closest desert with sand dunes to Marrakesh where you can ride a camel and sleep at a desert camp, which makes it possible to do the whole trip in two days.
The road crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m, stops at the ksar of Aït Benhaddou and then follows the Draa river south. The Draa valley is one of the most beautiful drives in Morocco: a long green ribbon of date palms, earth-built villages and old kasbahs between bare, rocky hills.
Be clear about what you are choosing: the dunes near Zagora are much smaller than the great dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. In return you spend far less time on the road. If the big dunes matter most to you, choose a 3 or 4‑day Merzouga tour.
Is this tour for you?
This trip suits travellers with two days to spare who want a taste of the desert, the kasbahs and the Draa valley. There is no hiking, only short walks and the camel ride.
Both days are long road days of around 8 hours with stops, so it suits people who travel well by car.
Day by day
A sample itinerary for the 2-Day Zagora Desert Trip from Marrakech. Your driver adapts it to the weather, the season and the group.
-
Day 1 Marrakesh to the dunes near Zagora
Early pickup in Marrakesh and the drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Stop at Aït Benhaddou to walk through the ksar, then continue through Ouarzazate and over the Tizi n'Tinififft pass into the Draa valley, with its palm groves and kasbahs. Near Zagora a camel guide leads you to the camp for sunset, and dinner is served under the stars.
-
Day 2 Draa valley and back to Marrakesh
Watch the sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast at camp and ride back to the vehicle. The drive north follows the Draa valley back to Ouarzazate and over the High Atlas to Marrakesh, where you arrive in the evening.
When to go
October to April is the best time, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights at camp are cold, so bring a warm layer.
June to August is very hot in the Draa valley, often above 40 °C at midday. The trip still runs, with an early start and the camel ride in the evening.
- Jan: best conditions
- Feb: best conditions
- Mar: best conditions
- Apr: best conditions
- May: best conditions
- Jun: summer, very hot at midday
- Jul: summer, very hot at midday
- Aug: summer, very hot at midday
- Sep: best conditions
- Oct: best conditions
- Nov: best conditions
- Dec: best conditions
Weather in Zagora right now
Live forecast
Loading the live forecast…
Forecast data from MET Norway / yr.no, CC BY 4.0. Forecasts are model estimates; conditions on the day can differ.
Where you sleep and what you eat
One night at a desert camp near Zagora, in a tent with beds and blankets, with dinner and breakfast. Tell us if you would like a camp with private bathrooms.
Lunches are not included; your driver knows good places on the route.
Pickup and getting there
The trip starts and ends at your riad or hotel in Marrakesh.
Travel with a small bag for one night and leave your main luggage at your riad if you can.
Travel tips and safety
Bring sun protection, a scarf for wind and sand, plenty of water and a warm layer for the night.
Carry cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips.
Tips and money
Tipping is customary in Morocco. Drivers, camp teams and local guides appreciate a tip at the end of the trip if you were happy with the service; give what feels right. Bring dirhams in small notes, as card payments are rare outside the cities.
What to pack for this tour
Tick items as you pack. Your list stays saved in this browser.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakesh
- Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle
- 1 night at a desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
- Camel ride to the camp and back
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Local guides and entrance fees at the sites
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your driver and the camp team
Before you go
Read the answers to common questions and the booking terms. Your quote lists exactly what your price includes.
What travellers say about our team
This tour has no reviews of its own yet. These are from guests on our Toubkal treks.
October 2026
We climbed Toubkal after completing the 10‑day grand tour of Toubkal. Nothing to fault in the organisation, from the pickup in Marrakesh to the return. Everything was perfect and just as we hoped. A special mention for the excellent cooking
Translated from French
September 2026
A superb experience for a first 4,000 m peak, full of traditions and landscapes. Our guide Yassine was great and looked after us all the way up! I recommend it!
Translated from French
August 2026
My father and I have just come back from an extraordinary trekking experience in the Atlas Mountains, including the ascent of Mount Toubkal. I can’t recommend Saeed Rashid and the whole Toubkal Hiking Experts team highly enough… Read the full review on Google
Translated from French
April 2026
Climbing Toubkal with Hassan as my guide was a wonderful experience. He is incredibly strong and experienced, and always made me feel confident, even on the most demanding sections… Read the full review on Google
Translated from French
April 2026
My four-day trek in the Atlas Mountains was unforgettable thanks to Yassin! Very friendly, he introduced me to Berber culture, its villages and its people, and showed me breathtaking landscapes, all while looking after my wellbeing and my meals. I couldn’t have done it without him! A big thank you!
Translated from French
Questions about the 2-Day Zagora Desert Trip
More answers on our FAQ page, or ask us on WhatsApp. We usually reply within a few hours.
Zagora or Merzouga: which is better?
Merzouga has the big dunes of Erg Chebbi, but it needs at least three days from Marrakesh. Zagora has smaller dunes and is reachable in two days. Choose Zagora if time is short, Merzouga if the dunes are the priority.
How long is the drive?
Around 7 to 8 hours each way with stops.
How long is the camel ride?
About an hour, timed for sunset on the way to camp.
Is the trip private?
Yes, with your own driver and vehicle.
Book the 2-Day Zagora Desert Trip
Tell us when you'd like to go and who's coming. We reply with availability and a clear quote, usually within a day.
Price on request
