Zagora Overnight Desert Trip

This 2-day, 1-night trip goes from Marrakech over the High Atlas to Zagora at the edge of the Sahara, via Aït Benhaddou and the Draa Valley palm groves. You ride a camel at sunset, spend the night in a desert camp with dinner, and drive back the next day.

An honest word about Zagora

We want you to choose the right trip. Zagora's dunes are smaller and more scattered than the big Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga; the landscape here is more rocky desert and dunes of modest size. In return, Zagora is much closer: about 7 hours from Marrakech instead of 9–10, which makes it possible in just two days. If you only have two days and want a first taste of the desert, a camel ride and a night under the stars, this is a good choice. If big sand dunes are the main reason for your trip, look at our 3-day Merzouga tour instead.

What you see on the way

• Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m, crossing the High Atlas.
• Aït Benhaddou, the fortified ksar on the old caravan route, with a local guide inside (about 100 MAD per group).
• Ouarzazate, the gateway to the south, with a photo stop at the Taourirt Kasbah.
• The Anti-Atlas and Tizi n'Tinifift pass, then down to Agdz.
• The Draa Valley, about 100 km of date palm groves and old mud-brick villages, one of Morocco's longest oases.

Your night in the desert

You arrive near Zagora in the late afternoon and meet the camel handlers for a ride of about 1 hour to camp. The camp has proper beds in Berber-style tents; bathrooms are shared in standard camps, with a private-tent upgrade available. Dinner is harira and tagine, followed by music around the fire. Away from town lights, the sky is dark enough to see the Milky Way on moonless nights.

When to go

October to April is the most comfortable season. Winter nights are cold (around 2–6°C), so bring a warm layer. In summer, afternoons in the Draa Valley can reach 45°C, and we start earlier to avoid the heat.

Practical tips from our team

• Bring a small overnight bag; the rest stays in the vehicle.
• Wear a scarf or buff for the camel ride; wind lifts the sand.
• Carry cash for lunch (80–120 MAD) and guide tips.
• Motion sickness tablets help on the Tichka hairpins for sensitive travellers.

To prepare for the camel ride, see your first camel trek tips. If you travel between December and February, read the Sahara in winter first. Contact us on WhatsApp at +212 606-957514.