Sahara Desert Tour Cost from Marrakech: What You Pay

Tour Prices Side by Side

The table lists the per-person catalog prices of the desert tours from Marrakech on this site, with length and the operator's own rating and review count.

What Moves the Price

The camp tier moves the price most. The $148.26 luxury tour buys a tent with its own bathroom. Group size is next, with the small-group tour at $141.42.

The standard route stays the same on every tour, so a higher price buys comfort and a smaller group, not more sights by day. Check each listing for meals, pickup and refund terms.

The Standard Package

Brooke Beyond lists the usual inclusions on a 3-day, 2-night tour.

• Van transport from Marrakech and back
• One night in a private hotel room on the way
• One night in a shared desert tent
• Breakfasts and dinners
• A camel ride of roughly 2 hours each way to the camp

What the Days Cover

The standard route crosses the High Atlas and stops at Ait Ben Haddou, the earthen ksar UNESCO calls an eminent example of southern Moroccan building from the 17th century. Then it runs through Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley, and on through Todra Gorge to Merzouga. The Errachidia, Midelt and Merzouga leg of the Visit Morocco Desert Break route alone runs 303.0 km and 4 h 20 min.

The Usual Extras

Brooke Beyond lists water, snacks, lunches, a fancier camp upgrade and onward transport as the usual exclusions. Intrepid Travel found a camp renting scarves for 50 MAD, the same as basic scarves at some stalls, so bring your own. Visit Morocco lists quad and 4x4 rides at Erg Moulay Omar or Erg Znigui among the activities.

Cash and Currency

The dirham is a closed currency that cannot be easily exchanged outside Morocco, so draw cash in Marrakech before the road south. The US State Department says foreign currency worth 15,000 MAD (about USD 1,500) must be declared on arrival. The UK Foreign Office sets the declaration line at 100,000 MAD (about GBP 8,000).

Pharmacies are open 24 hours in every city, useful for motion sickness tablets before the mountain road.

Choosing the Length

The 2 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga packs the whole road into 38 hours for $106, while the cheapest 3-day tour costs $65. The Marrakech to Fes desert tour via Merzouga costs $109. A fourth day buys either a second night in the dunes or a night in the Dades Valley on the way home.

For two desert nights, see the 4 day desert tour from Marrakech with 2 nights in the desert or the 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with a night in Dades.

Luxury Camps and Private Cars

The 3 day luxury Sahara tour from Marrakech with a private-bathroom tent at $148.26 keeps the shared van but upgrades the night. For a family or a group that wants its own driver and its own pace, the private desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga gives you a car and driver, so check the price for your group size before you compare it with shared tours.

Timing and Papers

Desert nights turn cold in winter, so pack a warm layer. The UK Foreign Office warns of flash flooding near rivers and in the mountains, mainly in winter, so allow slack in your plans. UK travellers need a passport valid at least 3 months after arrival, and US travellers six months with one blank page per stamp.