2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains & Camel ride
Marrakech, Morocco
- 2 days (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The rugged Atlas Mountains and the golden sands of the Sahara Desert lie several hours south of Marrakech. This overnight tour lets you explore further than a day trip—stop along the way to visit Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the Atlas Film Studios, enjoy sunrise and sunset camel treks through the desert, and spend the night at a traditional Berber camp, with dinner included.
- Spectacular sunrise and sunset views of the Sahara desert
- Traditional dinner and accommodation at a Berber desert camp
- Hassle-free hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Marrakech
- Private tour: customize your itinerary to your preferences
What's Included
- Dinner
- Food Dinner and Breakfast
- Accommodation at a desert campsite
- Camel trek in the Desert
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport
- Breakfast (2)Breakfast
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Pickup up from your hotel in Marrakech Note: if your hotel is not accessible by minibus please meet at Hotel Islane
Itinerary
Day 1
Marrakech - Ait Ben hadou - Ourzazat - Zagoura
1 Stop
1
Ait Ben Haddou
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: 1 Night in the Sahara ( nomade tent)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 2
raa-Valley Ouarzazate, Marrakech
1 Stop
1
Ait Ben Haddou
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Stroller accessible
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Service animals allowed
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 2 years
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.2
based on 168 reviews
Anthony_P, Dec 2025
The description of this tour was terrible.
The amount of hours spent in the van were astronomical and never mentioned. The Day 2 description on the website was just a copy of Day 1 so didn’t describe anything. The van driver spoke zero English even though the website implies we would have an English speaking guide. There was only 1 breakfast included although the website says 2, the photograph of camels on dunes in the tour description was not even close to where we were. We were not in the Sahara Desert and there were NO dunes. On day 2, there was a blizzard in the mountains and the road was closed so we had to drive all the way around The Atlas Mountains and add 8 hours to our drive. That I even understand was outside the control of the tour operator, but after 13 hours in the van with a driver unable to communicate with any of us, I may never book with Viator again because the descriptions were so inaccurate
Mason_C, May 2025
My friends and I had a wonderful experience with our guide and driver, Aziz Talaoul. He was very kind, helpful, and accommodating to our needs. The camel ride was great (and the perfect length) and our 1-night stay at the camp near Zaragora more than exceeded our expectations. We would especially recommend this experience to other college students studying abroad who were on a tight time limit like we were. Thank you to Aziz and the company for this great experience.
Charles_G, Feb 2025
Planning and communication was done well. Our tour guide, Lahcen, was very knowledgeable and friendly and gave us an authentic Moroccan experience. Our driver Yousef was incredibly reliable and made a long journey feel enjoyable and memorable.
Colin_R, Feb 2025
We'd booked the private, 2-day tour.
At the pick-up point the tour boss tried to add us to a minibus rammed with other tourists. We refused. After 20 mins of arguing, we were given a private guide, as paid for. The boss tried to claim that the private element just meant a private tent in the desert!
Don't let this put you off..... you just have to stand your ground and refuse to join a large group (other reviews suggest this is a regular occurrence).
But from there on, the whole tour was superb. Our private guide Amin was a lovely, sweet guy (even more so given that the two-day trip was a surprise for him haha).
Amin was very knowledgeable, stopped frequently for visits to villages/towns, cafes, restaurants, viewpoints and of course the bathroom! It is a six-hour drive to the Sahara in total but these frequent stops made it seem very manageable (I believe it takes significantly longer with a large group in a minibus).
Amin was very happy to personalise the trip, always asking if we were interested in stopping at/visiting places (for instance we have no interest in shopping so Amin was happy to not visit shops etc).
The sites - such as a lovely local market where we not only walked around to soak up the atmosphere but also had a lovely sit-down in a local traders' cafe for mint-tea - where all fabulous.
And we had a lovely local guide Aziz to show us around Ait Ben Haddou. Other reviews have suggested this was an unexpected extra cost but for us it was included as part of the overall tour fee (maybe because we stood our ground at the start?)
And then of course the one-hour camel ride to the tents.... great fun, quite comfortable with another lovely local guy, Muhammed (who stayed the night, showed us the sunset, sunrise etc).
Again, with the private tour this was just the two of us, led by Muhammed, then staying in the more luxurious camp enclosure.
The tent was glorious.... comfortable, large with everything needed for a true, Saharan experience (although admittedly quite luxurious!)
The food throughout the day and at the camp was superb. Confusingly, on the first day lunch was included but not brekkie. According to the itinerary it should have been the other way around... but didn't matter.
After dinner at the camp there is a lovely area to lounge, chat, have tea etc.
Unfortunately an American woman arrived later and decided this area was for her alone. She immediately turned her phone on full volume, placed it in the centre of the area and played her music while singing and dancing (neither of which were good!!). She, I'm guessing, was in her late 50s but acted like a self-absorbed, narcissistic teenager that hasn't yet developed full social skills.
We did feel the staff should have said something but as it had been a long, tiring day, we decided to head for bed (as did everyone not in her immediate circle of narcissists). Hard to believe some people's ignorance.
It does get chilly at night so bring some layers, but the bed is large, warm and comfortable.
Next morning, up early for brekkie and sunrise, followed by 30-minute camel ride back to our car.
The trip back to Marrakech is similar to the first day but with fewer major sights.
Overall this was a fabulous couple of days not to be missed.... truly lovely to see more of Morocco, experience the Sahara and escape the hub-bub of Marrakech.
The only reason I've given 4 stars rather than 5 was the unnecessary need to argue at the start, to receive the tour paid for, and perhaps the staff allowing the ignorant woman to take over in the evening.
But a superb tour!! (And many thanks again to Amin, Mohammed and the staff at the camp.... I had unfortunately picked up an illness a day earlier and everyone was very kind throughout. As was Amin on the drive home when my wife also became ill).
Michael_H, Jan 2025
Highly recommend this private tour. The personalized attention is much better than being in a group. It’s a long two days but well worth it to see Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Studios, and the tranquillity of an overnight stay in the desert.
Frank_H, Jan 2025
Excellent in every way. Good friendly transportation from hotel stopping for breaks and shopping. Camel ride is not too demanding but elderly should only do 2 days. An experience never to. E forgotten.
Carly_K, Dec 2024
I went on the 2-day tour to the Zagora Desert with six friends (aged 20-22), and it was an unforgettable experience! Even though the drive was long, (about six hours each way from Marrakech) our driver did a great job breaking up the trip and keeping it enjoyable.
On the first day, we stopped for lunch and a tour of a village where Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and other famous films were shot. Our guide, who had even been in some of the films, gave an excellent overview of the town’s history.
Later, we headed to our camel ride at sunset, which was a highlight for us. The camels were treated well, which was important to my friends when booking. The view was absolutely stunning, far from any signs of civilization.
That evening, since it was a quieter day for the camp, our group of seven got our own campsite area, accompanied by the two guides. They served dinner, made a campfire, and we ended the night singing and stargazing. It was our favorite part of the trip. The next morning, we rode camels back to the road to meet our van for the return trip to Marrakech.
The whole experience was incredible, thanks to the amazing team running the tour. Everyone, from our driver, to the village and camp guides, made us feel welcome and shared their culture with us.
I have no complaints, but I would add to keep in mind that there’s a lot of time spent in the car. The drive is beautiful and well worth it though!
10/10 highly recommend! A big thank you to everyone who made this trip so special.
hamptonmara13, Sep 2024
Overall great experience. We didn’t know quite what to expect and failed to pack a few essentials which affected our stay but that was on us. Be sure to bring a charging cord for the van and sturdy shoes. We would have liked more time to explore the old clay city but enjoyed the camel ride and desert camp. Our guides were great!
Tim_K, Sep 2024
The only reason this is a one star is because of the four awesome camel tour guides and the great night we had in the desert with them.
From the get go the communication was terrible and remained that way throughout the trip from both the organisers, the driver and at the Aït Benhaddou, where the tour guides there told us multiple different prices and tried to get us to spend money on “necessities” for the desert.
The AC did not work in the car, and when it rained it leaked pretty consistently.
Booking stated we got two breakfasts, however we got one, which was a piece of bread with spread and a tea. The tour guide took us to two lunch spots, both being far more expensive than everything else around.
Karine_G, Aug 2024
The whole experience was great, but lacked communication. Otherwiseneverything was really great. The driver was good!
Ville_S, Apr 2024
It was a long drive, but worth it. We had nice stops along the way to get some coffee, lunch and also some nice photos of beautifuls sights. The stay at the desert was really something else from camel riding to staying the night at the desert.
Luke_N, Mar 2024
Great way to see everything if you’re a little short on time. Everyone couldn’t have been nicer and more accomplished. It was amazing!
Bob_R, Mar 2024
Both was a great time, and our guide Ibrahim was a lot of fun. Camp was great, driver was great. The lunch stops were mediocre and overpriced, but not a huge deal. The only disappointment was the Ait-Benhaddou—packed with hawkers and tourists, you could get a sense of the place. Then our guide had to take us to his buddy’s scarf place, which was the most important to him. Of course.
Alice_B, Oct 2022
Great experience at the camp - fire music and dancing.
Be prepared for a long trip both ways - luckily are a few stops to stretch your legs.
David_P, Oct 2022
The only reason this isn’t a one star review is because several things about this tour were neat: riding camels, visiting Ait Ben Haddou, and sitting around a Bedouin campfire clapping along to traditional songs. That stuff is worth doing, but go with a different company because this tour was extremely poorly run and included multiple downright scams.
* We had to pay for entry into multiple tours even though it’s “all inclusive.”
* The included dinner in the desert camp DIDN’T INCLUDE WATER. We had to buy water for a very high price, and they claimed to not have change. So we ended up buying 5 big bottles of water rather than let them keep the change.
* Our first stop was a 2 hour tour run by a tour guide who smelled like alcohol, repeated himself constantly, and provided essentially no interesting historical information about the sites. Instead he talked about himself being an extra in movies. He also asked two women on our tour if they were a lesbian couple (of course they said “no” because it would be dangerous to admit that in Morocco).
* We were taken to lunch at an awful restaurant that was obviously paying them off. Literally all of its reviews online are 1-star, and it’s next door to a restaurant with excellent reviews. (Our tour guide notably didn’t eat at the restaurant he took us to.)
* They claim to pick up at your hotel. They don’t. They gave us a pickup location far from our hotel. When I requested a closer location through the app, they said okay. But then the driver called us at 10pm the previous night and told us we have to meet him at 7am at the original location. We had to wait for him on the street until 7:35.
* One tour included a stop a the “woman’s association.” The guide didn’t explain what it was or why they were going there. When we got there, we realized it was a carpet store run entirely by men. The point of taking us there was to try to sell us carpets. They claimed the money went to women who made the carpets, but everyone there was a man. It was extremely awkward.
Leonie_D, Aug 2022
Very much recommended trip! We really liked the two day tour through the atlas and dessert. We were with 1 other couple in the car/van which was really chill and had a very nice driver/guide Ahmed. We stopped at the most beautiful viewpoints as well as places to go to the bathroom or get some water. There is quite some driving during the trip but it was nice to see the beauty of Morocco (+ despite the bumpy roads in some places, we felt safe in the car due tot good and safe driving of Ahmed!). The camelride and night in the camp was magical and an experience we will never forget! They had showers and toilets in the camp as well as possibilities to charge your phone. Definitely a must do when in Morocco!!
Steven_M, Apr 2022
Everything was perfect! Our driver Abdou was amazing and awesome! He was a very professional and good driver, his English language skill was excellent, he wad friendly and answered all our questions and even arranged for us to have lunch in the home of a local family. The camel rides were very fun, our tent was very nice and the stars outside were beautiful! Dinner in the desert was delicious. I would love to go back with other of my children. What a wonderful experience!!
Johannes_R, Feb 2020
Really nice camp and the driver abdu was truly amazing. He made everything smooth and helped with anything we needed. If he is the level of customer service, I am sure everyone will enjoy the roadtrip.
Claus_A, Dec 2019
We were pict up early Ib the morning by Ahmed a super guide that help us during the hole trip. Everything vent god an we had enouff stop during the drive.
Mai_I, Dec 2019
ドライバーのオマールがサービス満点で面白かった。途中車を止めて絶景を案内してくれたり、曲をこちらの携帯につなげて聞かせてくれたり（もちろんモロッコの曲も聞かせれくれた）、途中買い物スポットに寄ってくれたりと、ずっと楽しませてくれました。砂漠も想像していたよりすごく快適でいい経験ができました！砂漠にあんな快適なシャワーとトイレがあると思っていませんでした。とてもいい経験になりました！
Out guid Omar is very good driver! It was so nice tour!
Eoghan_M, Dec 2019
- Lots of reviews have highlighted that there is a lot of driving involved 6-7 hrs each day). Be prepared.
- This is a very standard tourist tour and if you make your peace with this you will really enjoy what you see. If you don't and expect something where you feel special then look elsewhere.
- Berber camp is a tourist camp but my experience here was surprisingly enjoyable.
- The drive is a great way to see the beautiful Atlas mountains, Kasbahs and Kzars as well as Sahara desert.
- You will be brought to a carpet shop, her shop and lunch place in the hope of you spending money there so be warned.
- Driver was very good and made sure we kept pace to see everything while making the most of the shorter December days.
- Berber camp-style experience was good fun with good welcome and food was good.
- Watching the sunrise over the desert was magical.
Be aware others on my tour booked with an agent in Marrakech and paid less than half what I paid for the same tour.
Kevin_S, Dec 2019
A few things to consider before you take this trip:
1) ~16 Hours in a car over two days. Make sure you pre-plan some personal entertainment by downloading movies, books, podcasts, etc...
2) Go to Atlas Movie Studios if you love pop culture. A lot of movies/television were filmed here (Gladiator, The Mummy, Game of Thrones)
3) Buy beer or wine beforehand to enjoy at the Desert Camp. You can ask your driver to stop at a place along the way.
4) Tip your Camel Guide after the first ride through the desert. They will help make your experience in the camp more pleasurable by providing you the best tents as well as provide a more private experience for watching the sunrise the next morning.
5) Be prepared at the Ait Ben Haddou to be forced to use a "Travel Guide". This was our most disappointing part of the trip. No where in the description was it clear that a guide was required for the experience. Our driver was trying to help negotiate, but at the same time you couldn't but help but feel they weren't on your side. Really the only time in Morocco we felt a little taken advantage of. We ended up negotiating pretty hard and our guide was so mad he didn't say anything as we walked through the location.
6) Download and check We Chat. The day before our trip, received an email saying our driver would arrive between 7:20 and 7:40. Went to bed early and woke-up early to be outside at 7:20, to only later find out that I received a text through We Chat that our driver was not planning to arrive until 8:00. Because of some confusion on our location, ended up not getting on the road until 8:20. Not the end of the world, but definitely frustrating to wake up so early and ultimately wait around for an hour.
carlosvu89, Nov 2019
Advertised to include 4x4, but instead included a bus with 15 more people (it is almost 8h each day on the road, and the bus was very uncomfortable, specially when you paid for a 4x4). Desert is rocky instead of smooth dunes like shown in the pictures. Bus driver and camel riders barely spoke any english. In general we feel the advertisement was misleading and the pricing was excessive. We wrote to the tour operator with our complaints and have not heard back. WE ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TOUR.
meganj601, Oct 2019
I waited 90 minutes and driver never showed up. Have not received full refund from Art de Cuivre travel or Viator (after 36 hours of no-show. Have sent several messages and no full reimbursement). This company is a scam. Karim will not take care of you. Do NOT book with this company. I have visited more than 45 countries and lived in developing countries for 8 years - customer service expectations are not high. Karim is not a legit tour operator.
Meghan S, Oct 2019
While the drive to and from the desert is rather long, the experience once at the desert campsite is wonderful. Our driver was kind and took breaks for bathroom and food on the drive to the desert. There were also stops at other attractions and cities along the way. The campsite was nice as were the people at the camp. Overall, a good option if you want to go to the desert but don’t have time to go all the way to the Sahara!
Jennifer_Y, Oct 2019
We booked this tour as part of a week holiday in Marrakech. We were aware that it would involve a lot of travelling but were prepared for this.
Abdel was fantastic and stopped at some amazing sites along the way. He also linked us with a local guide called Ali at Ben Hadou which was great.
The sunset camels and desert camp is very special and a brilliant experience.
Totally recommend!
423jay, Sep 2019
Cool trip. Abdul was an awesome guide! Would recommend this trip for sure if you're visiting Morroco.
Ami_Y, Sep 2019
女性3人で参加しました。
完全なプライベートツアーでドライバーさんには本当によくしていただきました。
砂漠のキャンプも、想像していたより綺麗でシャワー、トイレが完備してありました。キャンプファイャー、星空、ラクダに乗ったこと、行き帰りの壮大な景色、、
全てがいい思い出です。
I joined with friends.
This was complete private tour.
The desert camp was also more beautiful and comfortable than I had thought, and it had showers and toilets.
Camp fire, starry sky, riding a camel, magnificent scene on the way,
Everything is a good memory.
special thanks to driver abde
From japan
Garfield_D, Jun 2019
My wife and I were really looking forward to this trip. And it started out great, that is, until we discovered that the A/C in the relatively new Mercedes Benz minivan wasn't working properly. A poor A/C makes a seven (7) hour drive through the desert pretty uncomfortable with temperatures surpassing 100F/37C. This happened in both directions - to and from the desert campsite through the Atlas mountains. At the campsite accommodations (including showers and toilets) and dinner were good. The 40 minutes or so camel ride each way is a cool experience and relatively easy since the camel handlers lead the camels by themselves walking and by leading the camel train (of 2 - 4 camels) by a leach.
Arjuna_H, Jun 2019
If you have not been on desert safari before this trip is an excellent starter. It is not only the desert experience but the entire trip with excursions to the Atlas Mountain, Villages, and the Atlas Studio is of value.
From $83.31
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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