Zagora Desert Overnight from Marrakech, 2 Days with Camel Ride

About the Zagora desert overnight

The Zagora desert tour is the shortest way to sleep in the Moroccan desert from Marrakech. In two days you cross the High Atlas, visit Aït Benhaddou, follow the longest palm grove in Morocco along the Draa River and reach the dunes of Tinfou near Zagora for a camel ride at sunset and a night in a nomad-style camp.

Be honest with yourself about what you want: the Zagora dunes are smaller than the big sand sea of Merzouga, but the drive is half as long and the Draa Valley is one of the most beautiful oases in the country. It is a great choice for families, for travellers with only a weekend, or as a first taste of the Sahara.

With a private car you leave when you like, stop for photos at every viewpoint and take a shorter or longer camel ride depending on the children’s mood.

Highlights

• High Atlas crossing on the Tizi n’Tichka pass
• Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• The Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest palm oasis
• Camel ride at sunset in the Zagora dunes
• Night in a desert camp with dinner and music
• Half the driving of a Merzouga tour

Route map of the Zagora desert overnight

The door of the desert: film studios, kasbahs, the Draa Valley palm groves and the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou. All tours in Ouarzazate & Zagora

Day-by-day itinerary: 2 days

1. Day 1 Marrakech – Aït Benhaddou – Draa Valley – Zagora camp

   ≈ 360 km · 7–8 h with stops Desert camp near Zagora

   Pick-up at 07:30. Over the Tizi n’Tichka to Aït Benhaddou for a walk through the ksar and lunch. After Ouarzazate the road climbs the Tifernine pass and drops into the Draa Valley near Agdz, with views over thousands of date palms and ruined kasbahs. Near Zagora you swap the car for a camel and ride to the camp for sunset, dinner by the fire and a night under the stars.

2. Day 2 Zagora – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

   ≈ 360 km · 7 h with stops End of the tour

   Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast at camp. Camel ride back to the car, then a short stop at the famous “Tombouctou 52 jours” sign in Zagora. Drive back up the Draa Valley with a stop at the Ouarzazate film studios (optional) and lunch, then over the Atlas to Marrakech, arriving around 18:30.

Times and driving durations are approximate and can be adapted. It is a private tour, so you can change stops with your driver-guide.

Prices for the Zagora desert overnight

Your private tour, with prices per group size. All prices are in euros and include everything listed under “What’s included”.

The more you are, the less you pay per person. Children count as travellers when they need a bed.

Where you sleep

• Night 1Desert camp near Zagora

What's included