Sahara Desert Tours & Trips

Name: Sahara Desert
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.3 (206 reviews)

Top 5 Experiences on our Sahara Desert Tours

Camel Ride

When you picture the Sahara Desert, it’s likely the first thing you’ll envisage is an Arab riding a camel across vast golden sands. So, it’s only fitting that on Sahara Desert holidays, you experience this for yourself first hand. Camels are an important part of Moroccan culture as they were often used to carry all sorts of goods, such as salt, gold and tea on the Trans-Saharan trade route. On our Morocco desert tour of the Sahara, you can enjoy a 1.5-hour camel trek along the sandy dunes of this vast and beautiful desert which culminates in an otherworldly experience as you watch the sunset transform the land into a sea of fiery orange and red.

Visit Fez Medina

In stark contrast to the tranquility and remoteness of the Sahara Desert, Fez Medina is a frenetic labyrinth of alleyways and squares filled with aromatic food stalls, fountains and souks where local artisans sell wares such as leather, copper and brass. The medina of Fez is one of the largest in the world and is an integral part of Moroccan culture, dating back to the 9^th century. Some of the most interesting sights to look out for include the huge brass entrance to the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Chouara Tannery, and the beautiful old Islamic school, built in the 1300s.

Experience a Traditional Hammam

Nestled into the High Atlas Mountains, Tigzha is one of only four traditional villages in the valley. Exodus has supported the village with various responsible tourism projects for over 10 years. A trip to Tigzha on our Sahara Desert holidays introduces you to the beating heart of Moroccan culture. While you’re here, you can enjoy an authentic experience at the local hammam where you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with the villagers and learn more about their fascinating way of life.

Stay in a Bedouin Camp

A journey into the sprawling sand dunes of the Sahara Desert in Morocco will take us away from civilisation as we know it. This is a unique and totally enthralling adventure that needs to be experienced. After travelling by camel on a Morocco desert tour of the Sahara, you’ll spend the night at an authentic Bedouin camp. Sit outside and spend the evening gazing up at the vast, star-studded sky as you try to comprehend the magnificence of your surroundings.

Attend an Argan Oil Workshop

Morocco is the only country in the world where you’ll find argan trees and we guide you into the High Atlas Mountains to the women’s cooperative Argan Oil farm. The Berber women pick the nuts from the Argan trees and crack them open ready for selling at the market. As well as being able to buy an array of Argan Oil products, you’ll also get to see how the oil is made with a hands-on demonstration. On our Sahara Desert holidays, we want to bring you closer to the heart of each destination and this is a wonderful cultural experience that gives you a much greater knowledge of the local people and their customs.

Sahara Desert Morocco Tours

The ochre-dusted sands of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, North Africa, are like nowhere else on the planet. Sculpted by dry winds, the Sahara stretches approximately 3,000 miles across at least 10 countries and is even comparable to the size of the United States – so rest assured that on our Morocco desert tours, you’ll see a different side to this otherworldly landscape.

Remaining largely uninhabited, aside from the nomadic Berber communities that set up camps here, you’ll find the best way to explore the Sahara is by camel. So, why not let our expert guides lead the way on our incredible adventures in Morocco?

On our Morocco desert tours, you’ll get to journey deep into the Sahara Bedouin-style, by camel. During our Marrakech & the Sahara adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to enter through Ouarzazate, known as the “door to the desert” and embark on a 2-hour camel ride where you’ll end the evening in a traditional Bedouin camp, surrounded by stars.

While on our Highlights of Morocco desert tours, your group will head into the Sahara and visit the sand sea, while also exploring the dunes on foot and by camel. Or why not head on our incredible Premium Adventure and discover the unique treasures of Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Fez. You’ll approach the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and head into the Sahara the following day where you’ll enjoy a camel ride, watch the sunset over the dunes and enjoy an incredible desert stay at Luxury Camp Yasmina on the edge of the desert.

Morocco Desert Tours

15 Days from 1 255 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and the Atlantic coast

Culture

8 Days from 960 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Exciting adventure in the Sahara Desert and High Atlas Mountains

Culture

15 Days from 1 920 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and Atlantic coast

Culture

12 Days from 3 180 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Premium accommodation, striking Imperial cities, the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara

Culture

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FAQS on our Sahara Desert Trips

When is the best time to travel to the Sahara Desert?

The best time to embark on a Sahara Desert adventure is during the cooler autumn (September to November) and spring months (March to May). During these months there are clear blue skies and comfortable daytime temperatures, and the night skies are perfect for stargazing by the campfire. It’s best to avoid the scorching heat of summer so you can fully enjoy activities such as camel rides, exploring sand dunes and immersing yourself in the rich culture of the desert.

What should I pack for a Sahara Desert tour?

To make the most of your desert experience, it’s essential to pack light layers of clothing, comfortable shoes, suncream, a hat and plenty of water. Since the desert climate can be quite dry, staying hydrated is vital. Other essentials to pack include:

1. Lightweight, breathable clothing. Opt for loose-fitting clothes to stay cool
2. Sunglasses to shield your eyes from the intense sunlight
3. Hat or scarf for covering your head to avoid heatstroke
4. Portable charger to keep your devices powered for those Insta-worthy moments.

What are the must-visit destinations in Morocco?

Morocco is filled with historical and cultural treasures, from the lively streets of Fez to the imposing High Atlas Mountains. Known as the ‘pink city’ owing to the pink hues of the medina walls, Marrakesh is one of the highlights of Morocco. Take in one of the mesmerising sunsets and explore the frenetic Jemaa el-Fna brimming with street food stalls and colourful performers. History buffs will be in their element at Volubili, a former Roman town and UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the best-kept ruins in Morocco. Fez is an intriguing city, home to an abundance of mosques and madrasas (theological colleges) and one of the largest medinas in the world.

What experiences can I expect on a desert tour in Morocco?

Our tours of Morocco are filled with a range of exciting activities, including camel trekking over the Sahara sand dunes, trips to traditional Berber villages and walking in the High Atlas Mountains. Sample the mouthwatering Moroccan food and enjoy an authentic Hammam experience. Wander through the streets of Essaouira to see the pretty whitewashed houses and visit the world-famous kasbahs. It’s also worth taking an optional tour to Toundout Valley, where you’ll hike through Imi-noulawen valley to Amazigh village and delve into the local culture.

What is the Moroccan culture like?

The heritage of Morocco is a melting pot of cultural influences and is characterised by the diverse people, customs and religions of mostly Berbers and Arabs. There are several etiquettes you should consider on your tour, such as wearing modest clothing that covers your legs and arms. The main religion in Morocco is Islam which is deeply rooted in the culture and customs. The cuisine is hearty and vibrant, fusing ingredients like spices, lamb, chicken and vegetables. Tagine, a delicious stew, is one of the most popular dishes and is usually served with warm bread. Mint tea is one of the most common drinks and the tradition is to pour it from a height to create a sea of bubbles.

How many days should I plan for my Morocco desert tour?

There’s so much to see and experience in Morocco, that we recommend spending at least 8 days here. This will allow you plenty of time to explore the vast desert landscapes, experience local culture and visit the main sights. Our guided group tours are packed with immersive experiences and tours of places such as Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Fez.

What is the accommodation like on a Sahara Desert tour in Morocco?

Depending on which of our tours you choose, you can expect a range of accommodations, from kasbah-style hotels and traditional desert camps with comfortable tents to luxury desert lodges. Traditional riads provide an authentic experience and can be found in the medina or old part of the city, however, don’t expect any luxuries here as they don’t feature modern facilities.

The trip was very nice but I have some constructive comments. This was advertised as a premium trip, however the starting hotel in Casablanca was mediocre at best. Certainly not 4 stars. The hotel had a least 4 other tour groups staying there at same time. One of the groups had 40 persons. This all resulted in poor service and chaos. The last hotel in Marrakesh was also a disappointment. The towels we old and only 2 provided. This is just a symptom of overall. The food for breakfast was disappointing. The farewell dinner that was at the hotel was terrible. The service was unacceptable. We were divided into tables of 4 instead of a large group farewell table. It would be more appropriate to go out of the hotel for a farewell nice dinner. A sign on the front desk at the hotel offered rooms available for $100 USD per night. The local guide was very knowledgeable and kind and did a nice job. However it seems he has done a lot of adventure guiding but maybe not so much of the premium luxury sort of trip. He could use some coaching on higher end trips. We had 8 Brits and 8 Americas the were in their late 50s to early 70s demographic. All of seemed to be very well traveled and use to higher end accommodations. One day on the road we ate at a gas stations with 3 other tour buses. This was chaos and was not luxury. Another time when we did not have a evening meal provided by the tour, we asked the guide to take us as a group together and of course we would pay for our individual meals. The guide understandably did not have a bus, So he put us is in 4 or 5 taxis and did not pay the taxi driver. We had to gather up 20 local currency (about the equivalent of $2 each for the cab ride . The was annoying and should have certainly covered by our Exodus fees .

Russell Rippamonti Treasures of Morocco – Premium Adventure

Such a wonderful pilgrimage of history and knowledge learned about the Moroccan people. From Casablanca, to the Sahara Desert, to the High Atlas Mountains and onto Marrakech. …

Zalise Edwards Treasures of Morocco – Premium Adventure