2 Days Marrakesh to Sahara Desert – Ultimate Guide (Erg Chebbi)

Planning a 2 day trip from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert is one of the most exciting experiences you can have in Morocco. However, many travelers book tours without fully understanding the distance, schedule, or what the trip actually includes. This guide explains everything you need to know before booking a 2 day tour to Erg Chebbi, including the itinerary, travel time, what to expect, tips, and important details to help you choose the right tour company.

Where Is Erg Chebbi the destination of this 2 days trip?

Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s most famous Sahara dune systems. It is located near the small desert village of Merzouga in southeastern Morocco, close to the Algerian border.

The dunes can reach up to 150 meters high and stretch for about 28 km long and 5–7 km wide, offering a classic Sahara experience with golden sand dunes, camel trekking, and desert camps.

The distance from Marrakesh to Erg Chebbi is approximately 560 km, which means a long driving day (9–10 hours) each way.

 

Before Booking a 2-Day Desert Tour: Important Things to Know

Before booking a 2 day tour from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert, it is important to understand that not all tours offer the same level of service. Tour companies usually offer two main options: private tours and group tours, and the experience can be very different depending on which one you choose.

Private Tours vs Group Tours

A private tour is organized exclusively for you, your family, or your friends. This option offers more comfort and flexibility. You can stop whenever you want for photos, enjoy longer visits at places like Ait Ben Haddou, and travel at your own pace. Private tours usually include a dedicated driver, a comfortable vehicle (often a 4×4 or private minivan), and sometimes higher quality desert camps in Erg Chebbi.

A group tour, on the other hand, is shared with other travelers. These tours are usually cheaper because the cost of transportation and services is divided among several people. However, group tours follow a fixed schedule, and stops are limited. Vehicles are often minibuses with multiple passengers traveling together from Marrakesh to the desert.

Choose a Licensed Tour Company

When booking a desert tour, always make sure you are dealing with a licensed Moroccan tour company. A reliable company should have:

• An official website

• Clear contact information

• Detailed tour itineraries

• Customer reviews

• Professional communication

Booking through unofficial sellers or random street agents can sometimes lead to unexpected problems, such as lower-quality accommodation, hidden costs, or poorly organized transportation.

Check What Is Included

Before confirming your booking, carefully check what the tour price includes. Some tours may appear cheap but exclude important services. A good 2-day desert tour should clearly mention:

• Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle

• Pickup and drop-off in Marrakesh

• Camel trekking in the dunes of Erg Chebbi

• Overnight stay in a desert camp

• Dinner and breakfast

Also confirm whether entrance fees, lunches, drinks, and local guides are included or not.

Read Reviews Before Booking

It is always a good idea to read recent traveler reviews on trusted platforms such as Tripadvisor or Google. Reviews can give you a clear idea about the quality of the driver, the desert camp, and the overall experience.

Ask Questions Before You Pay for this 2 days Marrakesh to erg chebbi 

A professional company will be happy to answer your questions. Before booking, you can ask:

• Which desert camp do you use?

• Is the camel ride included in the price?

• How many people are in the group tour?

• What type of vehicle will be used for the trip?

• Are there any hidden or extra fees during the tour?

Taking a few minutes to check these details will help ensure that your 2-day Sahara desert trip becomes a memorable experience instead of a stressful one.

By choosing a reliable tour operator and understanding the difference between private and group tours, you can enjoy an unforgettable journey from Marrakesh to the beautiful dunes of Erg Chebbi.

How Much Time Does a 2-Day Desert Tour Take from Marrakech to Merzouga?

A 2 days Sahara desert tour from Marrakesh to Merzouga usually takes about 10 hours of driving on the first day, including a few short stops along the way.

Because the distance between Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert is very long (around 560 km), the itinerary is quite intense. The trip crosses the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass before continuing toward the desert.

During the journey, there are usually brief stops at some important locations such as Ait Ben Haddou and sometimes in Ouarzazate or nearby valleys. However, because the itinerary is very tight, you will not have enough time to fully explore all the attractions along the route.

Most stops are very short, often only a few minutes, mainly for photos, stretching your legs, or a quick visit. The main goal of the day is to keep driving and reach the Sahara Desert before sunset.

Tour companies try to arrive at the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon so travelers can enjoy the camel trek and watch the sunset over the dunes. For this reason, most of the first day is spent driving, with limited time for sightseeing.

If you want to visit more places along the route and spend more time exploring the landscapes and kasbahs, a 3-day desert tour is usually a more comfortable and relaxed option.

Is the Second Day of a 2-Day Merzouga Tour the Same as the First Day?

No, the second day of a 2-day desert tour from Marrakesh to Merzouga does not follow exactly the same route or sights as the first day.

Although the driving distance is almost the same, most tour companies choose an alternative route for the return journey. This allows travelers to experience different landscapes and attractions instead of repeating the exact same road.

During the second day, you may pass through and briefly explore areas such as the beautiful Draa Valley, which is known as the largest and longest valley in Morocco, famous for its vast palm groves, traditional villages, and ancient kasbahs.

The route may also cross parts of the scenic Anti-Atlas Mountains, offering a different mountain landscape compared to the High Atlas Mountains that you crossed on the first day.

Along the way, travelers will also enjoy wide desert landscapes, rocky plains, and small Berber villages, giving a broader view of southern Morocco’s natural beauty.

However, just like the first day, the schedule remains quite tight, and most of the time will still be spent driving in order to reach Marrakesh in the evening. Stops are usually short, mainly for photos, quick visits, and rest breaks.

Do Desert Camps Have Bathrooms and Showers?

Yes, all desert camps in the dunes of Erg Chebbi have toilets and shower facilities for guests. However, it is important to know that there are two main categories of desert camps: standard camps and luxury camps, and the main difference between them is the location and level of the bathroom facilities.

Standard Desert Camps

In a standard camp, the bathrooms and showers are shared facilities located outside the tents. Guests stay in traditional Berber-style tents, and the toilets and showers are usually in a separate building or area within the camp. These camps are more basic but still comfortable and provide an authentic desert experience.

Luxury Desert Camps

In a luxury desert camp, each tent usually has a private bathroom and shower inside the tent. These camps offer a higher level of comfort, with larger beds, better furniture, electricity, and sometimes additional amenities.

The Main Difference

The main difference between standard and luxury camps is the bathroom arrangement.

• Standard camps: shared bathrooms and showers outside the tents.

• Luxury camps: private bathrooms and showers inside each tent.

But Both options allow travelers to enjoy the beauty of the Sahara Desert near Merzouga while experiencing an overnight stay in the dunes.