Sahara Escape: Marrakech Weekend Desert Tour Review

Thinking of ditching city life for a bit and experiencing the Sahara Desert from Marrakech over a weekend? A three-day desert tour, like your chance to see the Erg Chebbi dunes, is a popular option, and very appealing. But, just is it worth it? And also, will it be a mad dash across Morocco? I’m laying out what to really anticipate, based on like your experiences, and hopefully it’s really helpful as you figure out if this tour is the trip you were dreaming about.

What to Expect From Your Sahara Getaway

First off, is that this isn’t just a hop, skip, and jump to the Sahara. Morocco’s distances can be deceiving, and also the drive is substantial. The standard three-day tour involves a whole lot of time in a vehicle. So, too it’s almost about the sites you’ll see. The tour usually includes the High Atlas Mountains, the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou (a location where many movies are filmed), and also the Dades Valley. You’ll probably also get to experience Todra Gorge, and depending on the specific tour, very visits to Berber villages. These stops offer fantastic photo opportunities and really brief glimpses into Moroccan culture. However, very keep in mind, the focus tends to be on seeing lots of spots from the comfort of your ride rather than lengthy explorations.

The bus ride is part of the experience, whether you enjoy it or not. You might meet all sorts of people that way, maybe some weirdos. I do hope you get air conditioning, and you’re definitely going to stop at stores along the way for toilet breaks or to buy goods from sellers of Argan oil. You are not obligated to purchase any of their wares, of course, just remember to treat them respectfully.

The Erg Chebbi Experience: Sand Dunes and Camel Rides

The main event of this kind of adventure, I’d say, is definitely the Erg Chebbi dunes. Expect a camel trek into the desert at sunset (pictures are necessary!). You’ll often arrive at a desert camp where you’ll find dinner, traditional Berber music around a campfire, and tents for sleeping. Waking up early to see the sunrise over the dunes, again more photos are needed here, is commonly really included before heading back. Now, here’s something, camping is definitely not glamping, tents can be fairly simple, so very keep that in view. The aim is definitely for an authentic experience. Camel rides, well, they can be a bit rough if I’m being really honest, particularly if you aren’t like your typical rider, but hey you have to try, right? It might actually make for a good story afterwards.

Be sure to bring clothes that are appropriate for all weather. You will be cold at night! Bring a head covering or shemagh and save yourself a whole lot of hassle, this is arguably crucial for protecting your hair, eyes and face from the abrasive sand.

Things to Consider Before Booking

Before clicking “book,” give like your priorities some consideration. This tour crams quite a bit into just three days, that too it’s almost means you will be spending the vast majority of the time traveling between destinations. Very those prone to car sickness might discover this challenge. So, really consider, very are you okay with a whirlwind adventure or do you like exploring locations more in-depth? Very also remember that Erg Chebbi is not actually the biggest sand sea in Morocco, Erg Chigaga takes the top prize, so very for sand dune connoisseurs this tour might come up a bit short on expectations. A visit to Erg Chigaga will typically involve a little extra travel time to the desert and possibly a 4×4 ride from the town nearest the desert. Tours like these often depart from the town of Zagora.

The tours are usually multi-person group tours, this keeps costs relatively affordable for you. They don’t allow a great deal of customization, just consider it. It is worth reading the fine print of like your tour booking before signing on the dotted line, some tours do a surprise add-on charge for visiting certain places or for specific optional activities. They may try to pressure you into it when there is arguably little or no time to discuss whether the option is fairly included or not. I would also say very be extremely certain what payment options they prefer, that would be ideal for you. Be prepared with backup payment choices, I mean just in case. I’m not saying anything awful could or would happen but the more prepared you are, the better it may very well be.

Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Okay, so very is the “Escape Marrakech Spend Like Your Weekend in Real Sahara Desert” worth all the time invested? Very if you have limited time and definitely want to see a lot, and really don’t mind long travel days, then very perhaps yes! The opportunity to experience the Sahara, even very if it’s just for one night, is absolutely unique. You have, obviously, the photo opportunities are definitely incredible, plus the chance to ride a camel and sleep beneath the stars creates very lasting memories.

That, to me, is just one potential snag, you arguably won’t have as much freedom with like your itinerary and very less chances for spontaneous explorations. Very the rushed pace can actually leave you feeling as if you’ve ticked off destinations rather than truly connecting with them. If that is okay with you. For some, arguably myself included, these desert excursions can actually bring you into a beautiful kind of spiritual experience. But I would still recommend to not get too attached to Erg Chebbi, so very if possible try Erg Chigaga too!.

Also be aware that these desert excursions are arguably far more available from Marrakech and Fez than virtually any other places in Morocco. The Sahara desert touches multiple borders with multiple nations, very in all the local culture you see there is typically a rich blend of influences to witness, definitely more than just Berber. The further inland you go the more the differences can appear.

Making the Most of Your Sahara Tour: Tips and Tricks

Alright, so here are definitely some quick recommendations to really make that tour something to honestly tell everyone about later. So, really do wear comfortable shoes are arguably essential, and also dress in layers because desert temperatures can change very drastically. It may also be ideal to very bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, arguably those basic, I’m talking SPF-50 sun protection basics for all conditions kind. Keeping like your gadgets and what-nots with you can give you some sense of ease as it can prevent any possibility of theft or items being lost. I would definitely recommend, very perhaps try and travel fairly light so you don’t end up holding things everywhere you go. It arguably sounds ridiculous, however very do try and get fairly travel insurance just to potentially give you a degree of security.

Oh, but most definitely, when the skies are definitely clear, stargazing in the desert, very honestly speaking, is phenomenal, just put down your phone, breath it in, I mean honestly. It can feel somewhat meditative with how remote it all appears.

In essence, a weekend Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech can definitely be an amazing experience if you are realistic about the travel and what the tour can definitely offer. I would arguably say, enjoy like your time among the dunes and that very special Moroccan experience.