Cheap 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
Cheap 3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech
You are in Marrakech, the thousand-colored city, and you’ve braved the crowded souks, oohed over the elaborately decorated buildings, and sipped mint tea until your soul is 90% sugar. So what do you do next? A cheap 3 days desert tour from Marrakech, of course!
For less than it would cost to have an expensive dinner out in your own house, you can take an experience of a lifetime into Morocco’s beautiful and raw landscapes. Don’t assume “cheap” necessarily equals “uninteresting” as it is really worth joining, and here is why.
Day 1: From Marrakech Mayhem to Sahara Serenity
Your journey starts early morning when you bounce onto a cozy minibus with the rest of the travelers as wide-awake (or unconscious) as you. Where are you off to? The High Atlas Mountains. Circling the stunning Tizi n’Tichka Pass, you’re treated to stunningly lovely view of rugged peaks and Berber villages scattered on the mountain slope.
Next, you’ll visit Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed village that looks like it was plucked straight out of a fantasy novel (or, more accurately, Game of Thrones). You’ll have time to explore its ancient kasbahs before continuing to Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa” because of its famous film studios.
As the sun sets, you arrive at the desert gateway of Todra Gorge or Dades Valley and stay overnight in an overnight stay at a local riad guesthouse. Dinner under the Moroccan hospitality will consist of tagines and refreshing mint tea, placing you in a proper frame of mind for the days’ hike to come.
Day 2: Into the Heart of the Sahara
After breakfast, you’ll drive deeper into the desert, passing through dramatic rock formations, ancient kasbahs, and tiny villages where time seems to have paused. By afternoon, you’ll arrive at Merzouga, the edge of the vast and golden Erg Chebbi dunes. This is where things become enchanting. You will trade in your minibus for a camel (yes, the real deal) and walk into the dunes as the sun goes down in fiery hues along the sand. If you ever thought Morocco was lovely before, just wait till you see this sunset.
Your evening is spent in Berber desert camp, where a local dinner’s served under star-filled skies that explode with thousands of twinkles. There’ll often be music, drumming, and around-the-campfire storytelling happening—no city lights, no WiFi, nothing but pure magic of the desert. If adventurous, scale the closest dune for some nocturnal stargazing.
Day 3: Dawn and the Way Back
At dawn, you’ll be awakened (gently, we assure you) to one of the most memorable views of your life: sunrise over the dunes. The hues change from rich purples to fiery oranges, and for an instant, you may forget all else in the world.
Next, it’s back camel-trekking to civilization for a hurried breakfast and jumping in the minibus to make the return journey to Marrakech. There will be several breaks along the route to stretch the legs and drink in even more breathtaking vistas before arriving back in the late afternoon.
Then, if you’re in the mood for an affordable adventure that won’t dent your wallet but leave you with stories to tell a lifetime, a cheap 3 days desert tour from Marrakech is what you need. Bring your sense of adventure (and perhaps a few wet wipes for the sand), and let the adventure begin!
