Morocco Travel Blog - Morocco Desert Excursion

Excursion to the Moroccan Desert: Discover the Mystique of the Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is one of the most stunning and largest hot deserts in the world. Any traveler to Morocco should enjoy a desert adventure to fully appreciate the desert’s size, breathtaking beauty, and distinctive culture.

Although there are various ways to explore the Moroccan desert, a guided tour is one of the more well-liked options. These excursions usually take two or three days and leave from significant towns like Marrakech, Fes, and Rabat.

As part of a typical desert adventure, you’ll drive a 4×4 vehicle to the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chegaga dunes and spend the night in a traditional Berber camp there. You can engage in a number of activities during the day, including camel trekking, sandboarding, and touring surrounding oasis and villages.

Any trip to the Moroccan desert’s stargazing is one of its delights. The stars in the Sahara Desert are exceptionally clear and dazzling when you are away from city lights. The Milky Way is clearly visible while you relax on the sand dunes and take in the scenery.

Here are some suggestions for organizing your trip to the Moroccan desert:

If you’re traveling during a popular season, reserve your tour well in advance.
Pick a trustworthy, licensed, and insured tour operator.
Ensure that the tour covers everything you require, including lodging, transportation, and meals.
The desert can be hot and sunny during the day and freezing at night, so make sure to pack for all seasons.
For sun protection, pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
To stay hydrated, sip lots of water.
Expect a rough ride in the 4×4 car.

Here is a potential itinerary for a 3-day trip to the Moroccan desert:

Day 1:

Travel to the Erg Chebbi dunes by 4×4 vehicle after leaving Marrakech in the morning.
Along the way, get lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Afternoon: Get there and settle into your tent at the desert camp.
Visit a local oasis on a camel excursion.
On top of a sand dune, observe the setting sun.
Enjoy dinner and dancing to traditional Berber music at the desert camp.

Day 2:

Get up early to climb a sand dune and observe the dawn.
Have breakfast at the camp in the desert.
Take a quad biking or sandboarding experience.
Visit a village or an oasis close by.
After lunch, return to your camp in the desert.
You can unwind by the pool or sleep in your tent.
Enjoy more traditional
Berber music and dancing while eating dinner at the desert camp.

Day 3:

Get up early to climb a sand dune and observe the dawn.
Have breakfast at the camp in the desert.
Return to Marrakech via 4×4 car after leaving the desert camp.
Along the way, get lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Arrive in the afternoon in Marrakech.

This is only a suggested itinerary; you can change it to suit your preferences and financial constraints. If you have more time, for instance, you might stay in the desert for an additional day or explore other neighboring sites like the Draa Valley or the Dades Valley.

Whatever you decide to do, a trip to the Moroccan desert is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. It’s an opportunity to fully experience the beauty and culture of the desert while making lifelong memories.

Here are a few more suggestions for organizing and having fun on your trip to the Moroccan desert:

When planning your trip, consider the season. It is advisable to visit the Sahara Desert in the spring or fall because the summer months may be very scorching there. Visitation is especially recommended in the spring (March to May) when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Dress professionally. It’s crucial to dress in light, loose-fitting clothing during the day and to shield your skin from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Bring a jacket or sweater because it can get chilly at night.
Be ready for a jarring ride. Be ready for a little bit of a thrill ride in the 4×4 vehicle because the roads in the desert are frequently unpaved and unsteady.
Remember to bring your camera. The Sahara Desert is a breathtakingly gorgeous location, so come prepared with your camera to record all the breathtaking sights.
Respect the traditions of the community. The Berber people, who have a distinctive and intriguing culture, live in the Sahara Desert. Respect their traditions and practices, and make sure to get permission before photographing anyone or anything.

You might wish to think about including the following extra activities in your agenda for your vacation into the Moroccan desert:

Go to a nomadic camp. People who lead a nomadic lifestyle—moving from one location to another in search of food and water—are known as nomads. To understand more about Nomads’ way of life and to become acquainted with their culture, stop by a Nomad camp.
Observe the stars. One of the best sites in the world to view the stars is the Sahara Desert. The stars are extraordinarily brilliant and clear when you are away from city lights. Make sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp so you can navigate your way back to your tent after dark.
Consider sandboarding. Riding a snowboard down a sand dune is the exciting and entertaining activity known as “sandboarding.” It’s a fantastic chance to take in the desert’s size and breathtaking landscape.
Ride a quad bike. Another enjoyable and exciting way to explore the desert is on a quad bike. You can ride through the valleys of the desert or through the sand dunes.
Go to a nearby oasis. A place with water in the desert is called an oasis. Oases frequently have abundant fauna and plants. Visit a nearby oasis to unwind and take in the splendor of nature.