About this experience
Travel from Marrakech via the Atlas Mountains and Ait Benhaddou to the Zagora Desert. Ride camels and spend the night in a Berber camp with fire, music, and a view of the stars in the desert.
Highlights
- Ride through desert landscapes and capture unforgettable moments.
- Cross the Atlas Mountains and visit the UNESCO Ait Benhaddou Kasbah.
- Experience a desert sunset and night in a traditional Berber camp.
- Travel in comfort with expert guides sharing culture and history.
- Enjoy local music, campfire vibes, and magical stargazing in Zagora.
What's included
- Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver
- 1 dinner
- 1 breakfast
- Camel ride at both sunset and sunrise (1 camel each)
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
Day 1: Marrakech - Tizi Ntichka road - Ait Ben Haddou Village - Zagora
You will be picked up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech in the morning to start your journey. Leave for the southern part of Morocco and cross the beautiful High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m). Along the way, you can stop for pictures and traditional mint tea on the winding road, which has stunning views of Berber towns clinging to the sides of hills.
You'll get to Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco's most famous walled village (ksar), by noon. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can walk through the maze of clay houses and kasbahs with your driver or a local guide. These buildings are famous for being in movies like Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones.
After lunch at an eatery with a view of the ksar, continue your trip through Ouarzazate, which is known as the "Hollywood of Africa," and the Draa Valley, which has Morocco's longest palm grove and runs for miles along the Draa River. Along the way, you'll see traditional kasbahs, lush oases with date palms, and adobe towns. This is a great way to get a feel for real life in southern Morocco.
You'll get to the Zagora Desert in the late afternoon, where your camels will be waiting for you to start an amazing camel trek across the dunes at sunset. Your Berber desert camp will be tucked away in the dunes as the sun goes down behind the golden sands.
Begin your stay with a cup of Moroccan mint tea, and then eat a traditional dinner outside under the stars. Later, gather around the campfire for an evening of desert songs and Berber music. This will be a peaceful time to connect with your culture while the sky is clear over the Sahara.
Day 2: Zagora Desert - Marrakech
Get up early to see a beautiful desert morning. The dunes come to life as the first rays of light hit them. Ride your camel (or take a 4x4) back to the meeting place after breakfast. Your driver will be waiting for you there.
On the way back, you'll go through the Draa Valley and stop at a few small Berber villages and Agdz, a lovely oasis town known for its palm trees and traditional kanz. Keep going toward Ouarzazate. If you have time, you can see the Taourirt Kasbah or one of the famous movie sets there.
After lunch, go back over the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, take pictures and take short breaks to enjoy the scenery. You'll get back to Marrakech in the early evening, and your driver will drop you off at your hotel or riad. This will be the end of your two-day desert trip, which was full of adventure, culture, and beautiful scenery that you will never forget.
Things to note
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Cash
- Sun hat
Terms & conditions
the local guide in Ait ben Haddou village is extra and Optional