Ourika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – OUARZAZATE – AGDEZ – ZAGORA DESERT (6 hours drive)

We start the 2 day Zagora desert tour from your accommodation or the airport in Marrakech early in the morning. You then drive through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260 m alt.) and various Berber villages, with stops along the way to enjoy the panoramic views. You arrive at the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and enjoy a short hike around the beautiful World Heritage Site, used as a set for various Hollywood epics such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, as well as TV series such as Game of Thrones.

After lunch in either the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou or further on in Ouarzazate, you drive through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, the Berber villages, and along the Draa Valley — considered the largest palm plantation and the longest river in Morocco. Finally, you arrive in Zagora in the afternoon and go for a camel trek in the Zagora desert, watching the spectacular sunset before continuing to your Sahara desert camp, where you enjoy a Moroccan dinner along with drum entertainment beneath an open sky of shining stars.

DAY 2: ZAGORA DESERT – MARRAKECH (5.5 hours drive)

After an early wake-up for a camel ride over the dunes to contemplate the magical sunrise, and a warm Moroccan breakfast, you depart for Ouarzazate, “the Gate of the Desert,” where you visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the studios in which famous movies were shot. Then you continue the drive back to Marrakech through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains. Finally, your 2 days Zagora desert tour ends with a drop-off at your accommodation or the airport in Marrakech.

IMPORTANT!     

Bear in mind that this is just a suggested tour itinerary. If it doesn’t match what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll organise a different itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay. We offer customised and tailor-made tours and trips all around Morocco.

THE PRICE varies according to the number of people: the more people joining the tour, the lower the price becomes. Since the transportation cost is fixed, the price is divided according to the number of people. The price also depends on the quality of the accommodation. Contact us for an exact price.

You can add an additional day and go on to the fascinating Sahara Desert of Merzouga.
Itinerary suggestion: 3 Day Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the 2 day Zagora desert tour private or shared?
The two-day Zagora desert tour is a private experience, so only the travellers making the enquiry take part. No additional people join the tour. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.

Is the tent private? Does it have a private shower?
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has private bathrooms with hot running water.

How long is the camel ride?
The camel ride lasts from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you’re staying in.

What is the alternative to camels?
If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that takes people and luggage in and out, which you’re welcome to use. Alternatively, ATVs can be arranged at an additional cost.

What happens to your luggage when you do the camel ride?
During the camel ride you take only what you need for the ride itself. The rest of your luggage is transported in the camp’s 4×4, and you’ll find it waiting for you at the camp.

What type of vehicles are used?
The vehicle will be either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both with A/C.
Vehicle details:
– 4×4: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax)
– Minivans: Mercedes Vito Tourer or Ford Custom Van (up to 8 pax)
For groups larger than 8, a minibus seating up to 18 pax can be provided.

Dietary preferences
Please share any dietary preferences you have, and we’ll make sure your needs are met. Kindly let us know in advance so we can arrange lunch stops accordingly and notify the riad/camp, as dinner is included in the package.

Tour age suitability
This tour is suitable for all ages. Please note, though, that it involves roughly 6 hours of driving each day. Our vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops, but if you’re not used to this level of travel you may prefer a longer tour, such as our 5 Days From Marrakech to Merzouga, to reduce the amount of daily driving.

Pick-up and drop-off details
The meeting point for the tour is at 8:30 a.m. at any location within Marrakech. If your riad is accessible by car, we pick you up directly from there; if not, we pick you up from the nearest accessible road point, arranged on confirmation of your booking. At the end of the tour, we drop you off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech, or the closest available parking area. The tour usually finishes between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Marrakesh, though the exact timing can vary depending on how long is spent at each stop.

Expenses
Currency exchange: Euros or USD can be exchanged for Moroccan dirham (MAD) at many locations across Morocco, including banks and exchange bureaus, and ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals. While credit cards and foreign currencies (euros/USD) are generally accepted, it’s wise to carry local currency (MAD) for convenience.
Meal costs: Meals typically range from €5 to €20 per person, though prices vary by establishment.
Haggling / price negotiation: Haggling is an accepted and expected practice in Morocco; even locals take part in it.

BOOKING PROCESS:

1. Get in touch with us through the contact forms, email, WhatsApp, or our social networks, and tell us the number of travellers, the type of accommodation (excellent, luxury, etc.), your tour date (if available), and your chosen tour or some details so we can plan a new itinerary for you.

2. Booking: We ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (preferably via our PayPal account). The rest is paid in cash to your driver/guide once you arrive, or through PayPal, which carries a 5% transaction fee. If you don’t have PayPal, we can send an online invoice you can pay by card. A bank/wire transfer is another option; it takes up to 12 days to appear in our system, and we can confirm the tour with a transaction receipt until the payment arrives.

WHY PRIVATE MOROCCO TOURS?

A private tour is an itinerary run exclusively according to your preferences. On a private trip you travel only with the people you choose. Private tours are more flexible when it comes to group size, travel dates, and what your trip includes. On top of that, you’ll have your own tour guide and driver at your disposal.