Guided Morocco Desert Tours from Major Cities
The attraction of the Sahara is undeniable. It is a landscape that feels drawn right from the storybook—countless dunes shifting in the breeze, a sky therefore vast it swallows the horizon, and a stop that's both overwhelming and peaceful. For all tourists, a Morocco tours from Casablanca could be the absolute highlight of the North African adventure. But, for a first-timer, the logistics may be daunting. From selecting the most appropriate gateway city to determining between a luxurious camp or an austere bivouac, there are many conclusions to make before you actually mount a camel.
That guide simplifies the preparing method, ensuring your first venture in to the sands is secure, wonderful, and precisely that which you imagined it'd be.
Choosing Your Beginning Level: Marrakech or Fes?
Most desert tours start in both Marrakech or Fes, the two imperial cities that flank the Atlas Mountains. The route you get mainly depends on your overall itinerary.
From Marrakech: This is typically the most popular starting point. The trip to the dunes of Merzouga typically takes no less than three days since you must cross the Large Atlas Mountains. While the push is extended (approximately 10 hours of operating distribute around days), the scenery is spectacular. You'll move across the Tizi n'Tichka go and the famous Ait Benhaddou kasbah, a UNESCO Earth History site usually used as a movie set for films like Gladiator.
From Fes: The travel from Fes is somewhat shorter but nevertheless substantial. It goes through the "Switzerland of Morocco" (Ifrane) and the forest woods of Azrou, where you could spot Barbary macaques. This route is often chosen by these traveling north to south or vice versa.
Seasoned Idea: Several people choose for a one-way tour, beginning in Marrakech and finishing in Fes (or the reverse). This preserves you from backtracking and allows you to view a wider selection of landscapes.
Erg Chebbi vs. Erg Chigaga: Selecting Your Dunes
Not absolutely all dunes are manufactured equal. When booking a tour, you'll an average of select from two principal dune areas: Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga.
Erg Chebbi (Merzouga): They're the absolute most accessible and famous dunes, rising considerably as much as 150 meters. Because they are positioned right near town of Merzouga, resorts and camps can be reached. This convenience helps it be a well known choice, indicating you will more than likely reveal the sunset with other tour groups. The infrastructure here's outstanding, including budget hostels to ultra-luxury glamping tents with ensuite bathrooms.
Erg Chigaga: Situated further south near Zagora, these dunes are wilder and tougher to reach. Finding here takes a two-hour off-road drive in a 4x4. The payback is a more rugged, separated experience. The dunes are substantial and undulating as opposed to magnificent, and the crowds are considerably thinner. If you wish to sense truly down the grid, Chigaga is the higher option.
What things to Assume on the Journey
A regular desert tour is not only concerning the location; it is just a road journey through diverse geography. Assume to pay significant time in a vehicle. A typical 3-day itinerary involves prevents at lavish oases, dramatic gorges like Dades or Todra, and historical kasbahs.
After you arrive at the edge of the desert, you will usually move to camels for a journey to the camp at sunset. The camel experience generally lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. While picturesque, it could be literally demanding on your own hips and legs. Wear loose, comfortable pants—jeans could be restrictive and uncomfortable for riding.
Nights in the leave are extreme. Actually after having a scorching time, temperatures can drop dramatically during the night, specially in winter. Pack levels, including a thermal prime and a warm jacket. Alternatively, sun protection is non-negotiable throughout the day. A scarf or turban is not really a fashion record; it safeguards that person from sand and sun.
Booking Strategies for a Clean Experience
As you can guide excursions upon birth in Marrakech, preparing forward lets you veterinarian operators and secure better accommodation.
Always check the Vehicle: Make sure your tour runs on the relaxed 4x4 or a contemporary minibus with air conditioning. The highways can be winding and rough, therefore car quality matters.
Validate What's Included: verify if dinners, water, and entrance costs to kasbahs are contained in the price. Often, the bottom cost covers just break fast, dinner, and accommodation.
Question About Camp Facilities: If you should be perhaps not confident with shared features, particularly ask for a "luxurious camp" option, which assures a personal tent with a bath and toilet.
Willing to start to see the Sahara yourself? Start exploring your course nowadays and prepare for an experience that will always be with you long after you've shaken the mud from your shoes.