Marrakech tours with Journey Via Morocco are private trips led by our own Marrakech-based Amazigh (Berber) team: Sahara desert tours to Merzouga, Atlas Mountains and Ait Ben Haddou routes, multi-day Morocco itineraries and day trips, all with your own driver and no shared minibus. Private desert tours from Marrakech run from 2 to 10 days and start from about $299 per person (3 days, based on two travellers). You choose the dates, the pace and the level of comfort; we handle the driver, the riads, the desert camp and the route.
| Quick facts | Marrakech tours with Journey Via Morocco |
|---|---|
| Tour type | Private and tailor-made (your group only, your own driver) |
| Durations | Day trips, 2 to 10 days from Marrakech, longer on request |
| Most booked | 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour |
| Price guide | 3-day private desert tour from about $299 pp (2 people); luxury from about $499 pp |
| Pick-up | Your riad or hotel in Marrakech, or Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) |
| Best months | March to May and September to November |
| Languages | English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Amazigh |
Most popular Marrakech tours and trips
These are the private tours from Marrakech our travellers book most often. Every itinerary can be shortened, extended or reversed, and each one can end in Marrakech, Fes or Casablanca.
- 2-day private Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour: the fastest way to sleep in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Long driving days, best for travellers short on time.
- 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour: our best seller. High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Dades Gorges, a camel trek at sunset and a night in a desert camp.
- 3-day Marrakech to Fes via the Merzouga desert: a one-way route that saves you the long drive back to Marrakech.
- 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour: the same highlights at a calmer pace, with an extra night on the road.
- 4-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour: Sahara, Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas cedar forests on the way to Fes.
- 5-day Morocco tour from Marrakech and 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour: two nights in the south, more time in the gorges and valleys.
- 6-day Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech and 6-day Atlas Mountains to Merzouga itinerary.
- 7-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour and 8-day Morocco Sahara desert tour from Marrakech: the south, the desert and the imperial cities in one trip.
- 10-day Morocco tour from Marrakech to Casablanca: the classic grand tour, including Fes and Chefchaouen.
See every itinerary that starts in the Red City on our Morocco tours from Marrakech page, or browse the full range of private Morocco tours.
Marrakech desert tours: which one should you choose?
Most people who search for Marrakech tours want to see the Sahara. Two deserts are reachable from Marrakech, and they are very different:
- Merzouga (Erg Chebbi): the tall orange dunes most people picture when they think of the Sahara, about 560 km from Marrakech (9 to 10 hours of driving, split over two days on a 3-day tour). Read our full Merzouga desert guide.
- Zagora: smaller, flatter dunes about 360 km away. It fits in 2 days, but the scenery is less dramatic.
- Agafay: a rocky desert 40 minutes from Marrakech, perfect for a dinner under the stars or a quad ride, but it has no sand dunes.
Our rule of thumb: if you can give the desert three days, go to Merzouga. If you only have one free evening, Agafay is a pleasant taste. Compare the options in our guides to Marrakech desert tours, 3-day vs 4-day desert tours from Marrakech and Agafay vs Merzouga.
Day trips from Marrakech
With your own driver, we can arrange private day trips from Marrakech on request. These are the most popular, with approximate one-way driving times:
| Day trip | Distance from Marrakech | Driving time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agafay Desert | about 40 km | 45 min | Stone desert, camel ride, sunset dinner |
| Ourika Valley | about 65 km | 1 to 1.5 h | River valley, Setti Fatma waterfalls, Berber villages |
| Imlil and Toubkal National Park | about 65 km | 1.5 h | High Atlas walks, Amazigh lunch, views of Jbel Toubkal |
| Ouzoud Waterfalls | about 150 km | 2.5 to 3 h | Morocco’s highest waterfalls, olive groves, Barbary macaques |
| Essaouira | about 190 km | 2.5 to 3 h | Atlantic medina (UNESCO), port, argan cooperatives |
| Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate | about 190 km | 4 h | Tizi n’Tichka pass, UNESCO ksar, film studios |
Things to do in Marrakech before or after your tour
Most of our guests spend one or two nights in Marrakech before heading south. Give yourself time for the Jemaa el-Fna square at dusk, the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Jardin Majorelle. Book the Majorelle garden online in advance in high season. Our 5-day Marrakech itinerary shows how to combine the city with a desert trip.
How much do Marrakech tours cost?
Prices depend on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation level. As a guide for private tours:
| Tour | Private, comfort | Private, luxury |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga | from about $299 pp (2 people) | from about $499 pp |
| Family tours | from about $280 pp, depending on group size | |
Prices normally include the private vehicle and driver, fuel, hotel or riad nights, the desert camp, camel trek, breakfasts and dinners. Lunches, monument entry fees, tips and travel insurance are usually extra. For a precise quote, see our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga price guide or request your itinerary.
Best time for tours from Marrakech
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer warm days and comfortable desert nights. Summer is very hot in the south, with afternoon temperatures in Merzouga often above 40°C, so we plan early starts and air-conditioned vehicles. In winter, days are sunny and mild, but the High Atlas passes can see snow and desert nights drop close to 0°C. See the best time to visit the Sahara desert in Morocco.
Why book your Marrakech tour with Journey Via Morocco
- Local and Amazigh: we are a locally owned agency based in Marrakech, and the people who drive you grew up in the Atlas and the south.
- Private only: no shared buses, no fixed departures. Your trip starts the day you choose.
- Tailor-made: honeymoons, families, students, luxury travellers and first-time visitors each get a different route and rhythm.
- One contact: you talk to the same team before and during your trip, by WhatsApp or email.
How to book
- Tell us your dates, number of travellers and where you want to start and finish.
- We send you a tailor-made itinerary and a fixed price, usually within 24 hours.
- You confirm, and we take care of the rest.
Write to us on WhatsApp (+212 754 095 458), by email at journeyviamorocco@gmail.com, or use the contact page.
Marrakech tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best tour from Marrakech?
For most travellers, the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is the best value: it covers the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Gorges and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Can I visit the Sahara desert from Marrakech in one day?
No. Merzouga is about 560 km away. In one day you can only reach the Agafay stone desert. Allow at least 2 days for Zagora and 3 days for Merzouga.
Are your Marrakech tours private?
Yes. Every tour is private, with your own vehicle and driver, and the itinerary is built around your group.
Where do Marrakech tours start?
We pick you up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech, or at Marrakech Menara Airport. Tours can also start in Fes, Casablanca, Tangier and other cities.
Is it safe to travel from Marrakech to the desert?
Yes. The routes through the High Atlas and the southern valleys are well travelled, and our drivers know every section of the road. Read more in is Merzouga safe?.
How far in advance should I book?
For spring, autumn and the Christmas holidays, book 4 to 8 weeks ahead to secure the best desert camps. Outside those periods, a few days is often enough.