Source: Cait
In a country that spans most of the Sahara desert, the Atlantic Ocean, and a couple of mountainous areas, it’s no wonder why adventure seeking lovers are attracted to Morocco. There are so many exciting desert tours to choose from, you would not even know where to start. Here are ten of them.
1. Road trip to the Kasbahs
Source: Kazuhisa Otsubo
Prepare 5 days for a trip to the Road of the Kasbahs, where you’ll see fort-like citadels sprouting from underneath the red colored earth. This tour will start from Ouarzazate, where hiring a 4-by-4 is as easy as buying water. If you’d like to shop on the way, there are fossil and crystals stalls.
2. Tour the desert until Erg Chigaga
Source: Dan Lundberg
The Erg Chigaga is one of Morocco’s major Sahara sand dunes, the other one being Erg Chebbi. You can either ride a camel for this tour or rent a 4-by-4 to enjoy going up and down the dunes, and camp Bedouin-style under a star-filled sky. And then watch the sunrise in the morning.
3. Trek the Jbel Saghro
The landscapes in Jbel Saghro is out of this world. You will be in awe upon seeing gorges and weather-sculpted formations. To fully enjoy this tour, you need to head to Berber village, just about 5 hours east of the airport in Marrakech. The popular route usually leads south to Nekob.
4. Cycle the High Atlas
Quite a challenge even if you’re a seasoned bike rider, the path of this ten-day ride usually starts from Marrakech all the way up to the highest possible pass in the Atlas mountains. It will wind down in the Sahara desert, where you will change into 4-by-4 jeeps to enjoy the dunes.
5. Morocco Nomad Safari
Source: John Y. Can
If you’d like to visit the nomads and see their marketplaces in the middle of the Moroccan desert, then this tour is for you. The path taken starts from Marrakech, heads on to Rabat, then to Fez, to Merzouga, to Dades and finally in Ouarzazate. There’s even horseback riding included.
6. The quiet Merzouga desert
Enjoying the stillness in the Merzouga desert is easy breezy. Your camel ride will be accompanied by bustling desert winds and a clear sky to watch the stars at night. There is accommodation in the middle of the desert where you can enjoy the comforts of a shower and toilet.
7. Desert majesty tour
Source: Paul Barker Hemings
A very popular tour among Morocco’s desert enthusiast, the desert majesty tour doesn’t come up short. You will be able to see the High Atlas, pass through gorges, sand dunes, Kasbahs, etc. You’d even get to pass by the valley of the Rose, where Rose cosmetics are being manufactured. You’ll also pass by Dra’a Valley, which was in the film, Babel.
8. From desert to sea
Source: John Y. Can
If you want to hit the desert and end up on a beach, then this tour is for you. You will be passing by Marrakech, then to the High Atlas, continue to the Erg Chagaga dunes, and end up in Essaouira beach. This beach is popular for windsurfing and a picturesque high fortress wall backdrop.
9. Dunes, lakes, and waterfalls
Source: Mig Gilbert
This tour is not just for you to the natural wonders of Morocco. One of the waterfalls that you will visit is the Ain Asserdoun waterfall, which actually provides clean, drinking water and a source of irrigation for several villages. The other waterfall is the Ouzoud Waterfalls, which is a thing of beauty.
10. Imperial Cities & the Sahara from Fes
Source: Sammy Six
This tour is called the Imperial Cities because you’re going to pass through Fes, the majestic Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, and Marrakesh. Though you won’t be actually going into the cities, this tour will take you through the Saharan route and witness sand dunes and gorges instead. You will also pass by the famous Tinjdad and the Toudgha Valley, with refreshing greenery.
There’s always an adventure waiting for you in the deserts of Morocco.
Have a good trip and travel!
