How to Plan a Sahara Desert Itinerary

For many travelers, Morocco's Sahara Desert is a place that has always been on the bucket list. However, getting to the Sahara Desert can be more challenging than you think, and a well-planned itinerary is the key to making everything go well. In this guide, you'll get a better understanding of the Sahara and figure out an itinerary that suits you best.

Where is the Sahara Desert in Morocco

To begin with, let's get clear on the locations. The Sahara Desert is situated in southeastern Morocco, spanning across North Africa and stretching for over 3000 miles. When people talk about the Sahara Desert, they are usually referring to the Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga dunes.

Most tours are centered around Erg Chebbi. It's near Merzouga, which is the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Generally speaking, the Erg Chebbi is more accessible with better transportation and accommodations, thus more popular.

The Erg Chigaga is located further south with fewer tourists. To reach there, you'll need to get to the remote M'Hamid village first and then go deeper into the dunes. The accommodation options are also limited there. The Dunes of Erg Chigaga are basically similar to those of Erg Chebbi, but taller, wilder, and untouched.

Morocco's Sahara Desert Map

For most travelers, we usually recommend going to the Erg Chebbi for its easier access and convenience, but Erg Chigaga could also be a good option if you are seeking a raw and adventurous experience specifically.

How to Get to the Sahara Desert

What is often overlooked by people is how far away the Sahara Desert is from Morocco's major cities. That's also why planning your itinerary carefully in advance is so important. A Sahara Desert tour usually starts from Marrakech or Fez, and takes a long drive to get to the destination.

Choose Your Starting City

Getting from Marrakech

The drive from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert is about 350 miles and takes at least 9-10 hours. It's better to split the journey into two days and stop overnight in the middle. This not only relieves the fatigue of long driving, but also offers a great chance to appreciate the incredible variety of scenery. As you travel through the Atlas Mountains, you'll pass lush valleys, traditional Berber villages, and rocky canyons. Also, you'll see the most iconic attractions of Morocco along the way, including Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley, and Todra Gorge.

Getting from Fez

Compared with Marrakech, the route from Fez to the Sahara Desert is shorter and more direct. The journey covers roughly 290 miles and takes about 7-8 hours. Departing in the morning, you will arrive at the desert at sunset. The landscapes along the way are also stunning. You'll pass through the Middle Atlas Mountains, the Berber town of Midelt, and the beautiful Ziz Valley before arriving at Merzouga.

Getting from Fez can save you time if you have a tight schedule or want to focus more on the Sahara Desert experience itself. Also, if you enter Morocco through Casablanca, it would be most reasonable to head to Fes first, continue to the Sahara Desert, and then carry on with the rest of your itinerary through Morocco.

Sahara Desert Route Map in Morocco

Transportation Options

Private Car - First Choice

There are several options for transportation, and private transfers would be my top recommendation, especially for seniors. Booking a private air-conditioned car with an experienced local driver could be the most comfortable and convenient way to reach the Sahara Desert. As mentioned above, you'll experience a variety of landscapes as you travel toward the desert, and private transfers would make it flexible to stop for sightseeing or taking a break.

Flight - Fastest but Limited

Flights operate from Marrakech or Fez to Errachidia, the closest airport to Merzouga. It's the fastest way to reach the vicinity of the Sahara Desert, taking only about one hour. But it can be difficult to find a flight that matches your schedule, with only a few flights available each week. Be sure to check availability in advance if you're hoping to take flights to avoid long road trips. Additionally, it still takes a 2-hour transfer from the Errachidia airport to reach the desert.

Public Bus - Not Recommended

Getting to the Sahara by public bus is the most budget-friendly option, but not recommended. There are several bus routes from Marrakesh or Fez to Merzouga, which take 12-15 hours, and it's just too long and tiring. In addition, you'll need to ensure that your schedule copes with the buses, and you may also encounter situations like delays or a lack of seats.

How Many Days Do You Need for the Sahara Desert

To reach the real Sahara Desert, the Erg Chebbi dunes, you need to spend at least 2 days and 1 night. The two-day itinerary will be tight, and most of your time will be spent on the road. Still, it's enough to experience the main highlights of the Sahara: you'll arrive in the afternoon, and have the chance to witness the sunset, have an unforgettable night at a desert camp, and appreciate sunrise over the dunes. It can feel a bit rushed, but it's still a practical and worthwhile option for travelers with limited time.

If you can leave 3-4 days for the desert, the experience will be much better. If time permits, 4 days would be perfect. You will have enough time to enjoy the scenery along the way, fully experience an entire day in the desert from sunrise to night, and try more desert activities. A 4-day itinerary allows you to stay in the desert for two nights instead of barely settling into your camp before having to leave again.

Typically, 4 days are enough for most travelers. But if you are truly passionate about the desert, you can consider staying for 5 days or even longer. Staying in the desert for that long allows you to take your time completely and explore nearby dunes and villages in an immersive way. However, it should be noted that although you can find some luxury camps in the desert, accommodation here is still limited compared to hotels in major cities in Morocco, and it costs more.

Dunes Under Changing Light

Recommended Sahara Desert Itineraries

2-day Itinerary: Essential Sahara Desert Tour

If you're spending about 10 days in Morocco, two days in the Sahara Desert is usually the most balanced choice. It won't take up too much time during your Morocco trip, but it covers the most iconic desert experience.

Day 1: Fez - Merzouga

Set off early, take a private car through the cedar forest and the Atlas Mountains, have a short rest in Midelt, and after a 7-hour drive, arrive in Erfoud. Then take a 4x4 to continue to Merzouga Desert and the Erg Chebbi Dunes.

Take a camel trek across the golden dunes and watch the sunset. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and spend the night under the stars at a desert camp.

Day 2: Back to Erfoud

Wake early to admire the breathtaking desert sunrise and then get back to Erfoud and to continue your journey.

4-Day Itinerary: Classic Sahara Desert Experience

A 4-day Sahara tour means you can fully explore the desert at a relaxed pace. It's ideal for those who have enough time, and is especially suitable for first-timers.

Day 1: Start from Marrakech

Begin your journey from Marrakech and drive through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Ait Ben Haddou. Arrive in Skoura and stay overnight.

Day 2: Getting to Merzouga: Gateway to the Desert

Continue toward the Sahara and visit Todra Gorge for a short walk and photo stop beside its towering red canyon walls. Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon and settle into your desert camp. Have dinner beneath the stars.

Day 3: Explore the Magical Sahara Desert

Spend the day experiencing the beauty of the Sahara and try desert activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, or desert trekking. Enjoy a camel ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi. End the evening with stargazing and traditional Moroccan music around the campfire.

Day 4: Return to Erfoud

Wake early to watch the Sahara sunrise and have breakfast before departing the desert. Arrive back in Erfoud in about 1 hour and then head to Marrakech or Fez to continue your Morocco tour.

Plan Your Sahara Desert Tour With Odynovo

Planning an itinerary is just the first step for your dream tour to the Sahara, and you can imagine how stressful it would be if you had to complete all the rest of the work on your own. Wouldn't it be great if someone could finalize every detail for you? At Odynovo, our professional consultants seamlessly integrate the desert trip into your entire Morocco tour and take care of all the bookings tailored to your preferences. All you need to do is to enjoy a pleasant journey from start to finish, without any hassle. Contact us or send us an email at [email protected] to get everything done effortlessly.