Morocco: From Marrakech to the Sahara Desert
- lilianamellor
- Aug 23
- 5 min read
Morocco had been on my travel list for a while, and this trip quickly became one of the most memorable adventures I’ve experienced. Traveling with great friends made it even more special, and in just a few days, we went from the vibrant streets of Marrakech to the breathtaking landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and the golden dunes of the Sahara.
For this adventure, we decided to book a private tour, and I honestly couldn’t recommend doing it any other way! The four of us had our own spacious 7-passenger van and a private driver who stayed with us throughout the entire trip.
Having a local with us made the experience so much easier and more enjoyable. He recommended some of the best places to stop for lunch, helped arrange our hotels and private excursions, and made sure everything went smoothly along the way. As a group of four girls traveling through Morocco, we also found it incredibly reassuring to have a local with us who knew the area and could help us navigate every step of the journey.
Our driver was truly amazing and went above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable. If you’re planning a trip to Morocco and would like the contact information for our private driver/tour, feel free to reach out to me—I’d be happy to share it!
Day 1: Marrakech
Our Moroccan adventure began with a flight into Marrakech, where we spent our first night. Our flight arrived late in the evening, so we did not have much time to enjoy the city that day. We found this beautiful Riad in the middle of the Medina that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting a more local experience, rather than a huge resort outside the downtown area. You can read my hotel review of the Riad at Marrakech: Palais Moulay Said & Spa.
Day 2: Marrakech to the Dades Valley
We met our driver early and started our drive toward the Sahara. The journey itself was one of the highlights of the trip, as the scenery changed dramatically along the way.
Our first major stop was Ouarzazate, often referred to as the Hollywood of the Sahara and known for its cinematic landscapes. Multiple movies have been filmed in this area, including Gladiator 2, The Odyssey, The Mummy, and Indiana Jones, to name a few. From there, we continued toward Skoura, passing through the beautiful Valley of Roses.
As we drove deeper into the countryside, the landscape became increasingly dramatic (as did the drive), with mountains, valleys, palm groves, and traditional villages along the route.
By the end of the day, we reached the Dades Valley, where we spent the night surrounded by spectacular rocky landscapes. After a long day on the road, it was the perfect place to relax and take in the incredible scenery.
Day 3: Into the Sahara
The next morning, we continued toward Tinghir and then stopped in Tingdad for lunch before heading toward what we had been waiting for—the Sahara Desert.
Along the way, our driver surprised us with a stop at a small local shop where we were welcomed with traditional Moroccan outfits and headwear. They dressed us up in authentic clothing and created a little photo setting where we could take pictures and experience what it felt like to be locals, even if only for about 20 minutes!
They also started playing traditional Moroccan music, and we couldn’t resist dancing along to the beat. It turned into such a fun and unexpected experience, and definitely one of those moments that made the trip so memorable.
The shop was also a great place to find authentic Moroccan souvenirs, making it the perfect little stop before continuing our journey toward the Sahara.
As we approached Erg Chebbi, the landscape began to transform. The rocky terrain gave way to enormous golden dunes, and suddenly, the desert looked exactly like the Morocco we had imagined.
We climbed onto our camels and began our ride through the sand dunes of the Sahara. As we made our way through the endless landscape, the experience felt surreal, especially knowing that we were getting closer to our desert camp.
About 15 minutes before reaching the camp, we stopped for some fun in the dunes. We tried sandboarding, took tons of photos, and even had an impromptu karaoke session right next to our camels!
Our guide joined in on the fun, capturing photos and videos of our group along the way. He managed to capture some of the most candid and memorable moments of the entire experience—photos and videos we’ll treasure for years to come. It wasn’t just a camel ride; it was an adventure filled with laughter, music, and memories we’ll never forget.
That evening, we arrived at our oasis glamping camp, where we spent the night in the middle of the desert. We each had our own private room, with a very comfortable bed and private bathroom! After dinner, we spent time outside enjoying the peaceful surroundings and the incredible night sky, and later joined a local dance at the camp.
There is something truly special about knowing that you are in the middle of the Sahara Desert, looking at the bright stars while sharing a bottle of wine with your close friends. This, to me, was the most memorable day of the trip!
Day 4: Sunrise Over the Sahara, and drive back to Marrakech
Our final morning started very early, but it was absolutely worth it. We headed out into the dunes on quad bikes before sunrise. Riding through the desert in the darkness, with the horizon slowly beginning to brighten, was one of the most exciting moments of the entire trip. We stopped to watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi, and the dunes gradually changed color as the first light appeared. It was the perfect ending to our time in the Sahara.
After our quad adventure, we began the long drive back toward Marrakech, watching the scenery change once again as we left the desert behind. We had several fun stops, including a visit to a Mosque, and a wonderful lunch. We went back to the same hotel in Marrakech, and stayed another two nights there to enjoy this beautiful and vibrant city.
Although this was a short trip, we experienced an incredible variety of Morocco, from the vibrant energy of Marrakech and the dramatic landscapes of Ouarzazate and Dades to the peaceful, breathtaking beauty of the Sahara Desert.
There was quite a bit of driving involved, but the ever-changing scenery and unforgettable stops along the way made every mile worthwhile. And, of course, sharing the adventure with amazing friends made the experience even more special.
If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, I highly recommend venturing beyond Marrakech and making your way to the Sahara. It’s an experience you truly have to see for yourself!
I also highly recommend booking a private tour. Our 3-day, 2-night tour from Marrakech and back was only €250 per person and included upgraded accommodations, a private vehicle and driver, breakfast and dinner, and our camel ride through the Sahara.
Our driver was absolutely amazing and made the entire experience so much easier and more enjoyable. He knew the best places to stop, helped coordinate our accommodations and activities, and made it possible for us to see so much of Morocco in just three days. Honestly, I can’t imagine fitting everything into our itinerary without him!
For the price, convenience, and personalized experience, the private tour was absolutely worth it.
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