After visiting Chefchaouen, Danielle and I spent a few days staying with a friend based in a small village outside of Fes, and then we were ready to see the Sahara Desert!
Now, we had only heard about Sahara tours leaving from Marrakech, so at first we thought we would have to go all the way to Marrakech from Fes and then down to Merzouga, which would have been insane. But then it turned out there actually is a bus from Fes straight to Merzouga, phew! So instead of booking a full desert tour we headed to Merzouga on our own and then sorted an independent desert trek from there.
We arrived in Merzouga at 7 am and then booked a room to get some actual sleep at L’Auberge Petit Prince. (If you want to do the same, book the room for the night before your 7 am arrival).
We found this hotel through our friend whom we visited in a village outside of Fes, as she’s friends with the owners. And the owners were SO so nice. The manager picked us up from the bus station and showed us straight to our (beautiful) room to get some rest.
And then when we woke up they whipped up a delicious Moroccan breakfast for us before be set off on our camels at around 4 pm.
It seems like pretty much every hotel in Merzouga offers their own camel treks into the desert and overnight stays at their own private desert camps. Le Petit Prince also offered a tour, so we simply booked our camel trek through them.
The best part? Because we didn’t go through one of the larger Marrakech tours we were the only two people on our camel trek into the desert.
We rode about 1.5 hours into the desert (not sure my legs could have managed much longer than that on a camel, ha) and then our guide went to set up camp while Danielle and I climbed up a dune to watch the sunset.
So, I thought we would be sleeping on the ground in tents, but apparently that’s not how it’s done. We had a bedroom with beds and nightstands and pretty twinkly lights. Is this what the children are calling glamping?
Also, you know how I said the best part was that Danielle and I had the trek and camp all to ourselves? Actually that was wrong. The best part was the camp’s adorable dog Bruno!
I had heard a few stories from different female travelers about feeling uncomfortable with their desert guides in Morocco at night – one girl even had her guide show up in her tent at night. So I was kind of relieved that our guide and his two helpers in the camp were kids in their late teens/early twenties. So like, zero creepiness. (Plus our tent door bolted from the inside.)
It was really fun hanging out with them at night and learning more about the Amazigh culture, though we did go to bed soon after dinner – we had an early bus to catch the next morning so would be leaving the desert at 5:30 am!
I think most tours leave after sunrise, but it was really magical riding our camels back under the starry night sky. The moon had been really bright at night, so it was also nice to see the sky after the moon had set as the stars were incredible. And of course we took the time to stop for a bit to watch the sunrise over the dunes.
And then we caught the 8 am bus for the 12 hour journey to Marrakech.
I still really want to visit Western Sahara (as in the country), but seeing Morocco’s corner of the desert was 100% worth the long journey. I know it’s possible to do some desert tours closer to Marrakech, but if you want the huge orange dunes you’ll have to head down to the Sahara.
Practical info about booking a desert trek in Merzouga:
I’m not sure of the exact breakdown of costs, but Danielle and I each paid 450 MAD (45 USD) for a bed in an ensuite twin room for the day, two breakfasts and one lunch, and our camel trek into the desert, including the camp accommodation and dinner.
I’m sure you can find cheaper tours with more basic accommodation, and there are also super luxurious desert tours that will cost you several hundred dollars. Ours was a good mid-range option. Click here for more details and to check the current prices at L’Auberge Petit Prince here.The Supratours bus from Fes to Merzouga left at 20:30 and took 7.5 hours and cost 170 MAD.
The Supratours bus from Merzouga to Marrakech left at 8 am and took 12.5 hours and cost 220 MAD.
What to wear on a Sahara Desert trek
Merzouga is full of tourists heading out into the Sahara, but it’s still part of Morocco so you’ll still want to dress conservatively. So like, no short shorts or tank tops.
I wore loose trousers and a blouse and brought warm sweaters for the evenings, as once the sun went down the desert got really cold. We didn’t do much walking besides up the dunes (which I did barefoot) so I just wore canvas sneakers.
Sarah says
Really cool thst you managed to sort it out independently. The photos are stunning. I recently did a camel trek in the Thar desert, Rajasthan in India which was amazing. We didn’t quite have the same luxury though we stayed just on mattresses with blankets so we could look at the night sky in bed! Incredible experience but some campers woke up with dung beetles in their beds!!! Also my legs hurt for days after that bloody camel! Really not a comfortable ride for long
Silvia says
That would be such a magical way to sleep!
Milou says
That looks absolutely stunning. Also, can I just say your guide is total #outfitgoals? He definitely knows how to rock desert fashion!
I’ve only been on top of a camel for a few minutes. Not sure how well I’d do on top of one for like an hour. You know how my balance is, after all….
Silvia says
Haha I would love to see you on a camel!
Nynke de Haas says
Wow! This must have been right up there with seeing the northern lights… And did you really set up the camera for the dual-camel-selfie like you normally do, climbing off your camel before getting back up it (seems like a lot of work!)? Or did you hand the camera to the guide for once? Either way, like all the other pictures, it came out great!
I would also have been interested in Amazight culture – and in learning some Tamazight words. They have the coolest syllables, with lots of consonants and sometimes without vowels! Like ‘kshm’ – I don’t know what it means, but apparently, it’s a complete word…
Silvia says
Hahaha no, the guide took that one. I loooved the sound of the language too!
Lottie says
I’ve always wanted to go to Morocco! Adore the culture!
http://www.flareaforte.com
Silvia says
Me too!
simon says
looks great i am planning something for the summer to shoot the milkyway who was your guide what was the cost of camping per night thanks
Silvia says
All that info is in the post – have an amazing time!
Aleksandra says
AMAZING photos! I visited Morocco for the first time last year and I absolutely fell in love with that country!
Silvia says
It is an amazing place!
Nathan Anderson says
Great advice, and I love the pictures you took! That sunset one over the dunes is just fantastic.
I had a similar experience in Jaisalmer, India and was lucky enough to be one of two people at the camp. We didn’t even have a tent, though, we each had blankets and a pillow and slept on the sand! Luckily there weren’t any mosquitoes.
I’d love to do this in the Sahara whenever I make it to that part of the world. Thanks again!
Silvia says
Oh wow that sounds like such a magical night!
Kelly says
Wow, this looks and sounds like an absolutely incredible adventure!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Silvia says
It was!
Carlo says
This is surely a bucket list experience. Thanks for sharing a great article.
Silvia says
It is!
Lynnae | So I'm Lost Again says
That’s so great that you got an experience for just the two of you! How were the camels? I’ve heard that they’re pretty unfriendly, basically the opposite of a dog, but I’ve yet to interact with one. Guess I’d better get down to Morocco myself and find out.
Silvia says
I’ve ridden camels in other countries that were really rough, but these ones were so docile! I’ve never seen such sweet camels, haha.
Morocco camel trekking says
Thank you so much for sharing this article, I really enjoyed reading your post, keep the great job.
Morocco Tours says
Thanks for sharing your Moroccan experience with us, it was great reading your post. keep it up 🙂
Zahid Ismaili says
Happy to hear that you’ve had a great experience visiting Morocco. Please keep enjoying the life you live!
Silvia says
Thanks, Zahid!
Kaitlin says
I’m so glad you wrote this up; I’ve had the hardest time finding a jumping-off point for a Sahara tour after visiting Chefchaouen. If you get a chance to reply, I was wondering if this was for one night? Most of the info I’ve seen has been for a couple nights (I think to see bigger dunes?).
Your photos are all absolutely beautiful.
Silvia says
This was only one night in the desert (we also spent one night on the bus to get down to Merzouga though).
Marni Shankman says
Your blog has been SO helpful to read, and prepare for my own trip to Morocco in January. I am planning on following your route from Fes to Merzouga (and then to Essaouria). In regards to the desert trip, would you recommend booking this ahead of time, or is it okay to plan everything once I arrive at La Petit Prince? I plan on arriving in Merzouga early in the morning, and leaving for the desert trip later in the afternoon that same day.
Thanks and love the blog!
Silvia says
I booked in advance so that they would know I was arriving so early – they even sent someone from the guest house to walk us from the bus stop.
Lauren Bensadoun says
Hey! Thanks so much for the help! I am headed to Morocco in March! Just wondering- do feel like this is something that needs to be booked ahead of time?
Or can we just show up and book it the day of?
also do you remember the prices you paid for the night at the hotel as well as the desert camping?
Thank you so much!!
xx
Lauren
Silvia says
Judging from last March, I think it would be fine to just show up and book the day of, especially as there are so many desert tours out of Merzouga. Of course I don’t know for sure though!
Kim says
Hi 🙂 love the article. We will be doing the same journey from fes ,and was thinking of booking the same hotel. I have some questions if you wouldn’t mind 🙂 – from where do you purchase the tickets for the bus both from fes to mergouza and from mergouza to marrakech? Also, did you contact the hotel by email to pick you up from the bus terminus to hotel? Thanks 🙂
Maegan says
Hey Silvia, great trip! Do you know if the camels were ethically treated / cared for? Thanks!
Bonny says
The photos were amazing ! I’m planning a trip to Morocco. Im curious what bus did you ladies take from Fes to Merzouga?
Thank you 🙂
David Radio says
Nice picture! I am planning to save money to be able to travel Morocco! Please keep enjoying the life you live!
Tony Doolin says
Hello,
I like is a good looking blog.
Thank you for share us
Tony Doolin says
Hello,
It is a blog creating good.
Thank you for share us
Cynthia says
hi!
Question for you. How did you book this? Do we book a room at le Petit Prince in advance and once we get there we can arrange our desert tour?
I’m just confused on how it works – we pay a room at le petit prince and we pay for the overnight stay In the desert?
thanks 🙂
Silvia says
We booked a night at the Petit Prince because we were arriving in the middle of the night, and then when we arrived we told them we would like to spend the next night in the desert.
cynthia says
Thanks for your reply!
Did you find the Camels were treated okay at this camp? I am trying to find a place that does not mistreat their camels…
Thanks!
Marla Lorraine says
Hi Sylvia!
I am motivated by your journey to reach balance between making a living and having a life. My husband and I have chosen to take a year break from our careers to develop that balance for ourselves as well.
I’m interested to learn more about your Sahara experience. We plan to head there in a couple of weeks and would love to work with the same bivouac that you did. Do you have any thoughts on how to reach them? I see that I can book online but no contact information to reach out.
Thanks so much!
Marla
Charisse says
This is an awesome post! Do you think visiting in December is okay?
cynthia says
I’m also visiting in December! When will you be there?
Getting nervous about the weather :/
berber way morocco tours says
that was a great experience it feels really good to see people come and go to my homeland (merzouga) .
going alone is good and maybe cheaper but it makes you lose many places and experiences that only an experienced travel agency guide can show you
next time we want you to be our costumer in Berber way company .to go in authentic and traditional way not only visit Morocco but be one .
Sophie says
Really nice reading your blog. Me and my boyfriend are also looking to go but we hear that a lot of the camp sites are so close to each other that you can hear and see people from the other camps and that the camps are not really in the dunes at all but just outside the city. What’s your experience with this?
Thanks for sharing!
Silvia says
My camp was near other camps but I couldn’t see or hear them from our campsite. It’s maybe a half hour to hour camel ride from Merzouga – to be honest I wouldn’t have wanted to go farther out in the dunes because I would have gotten really sore on a longer camel ride haha
Morocco Top Trips and Tours says
where is the problem if the camps are not far from each other. You will have a fantastic desert tour to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes). It’s the most authentic experience you can have in Morocco. If you have a plan to Morocco, just don’t skip it.
Morocco Top Trips and Tours says
Next time, i suggest to do Merzouga to Zagora in Off-Road. It’s really a wonderful experience, you cando it in 2days.
Day 1: Merzouga to Tafraout Sidi-Ali via Ouzina, Taouz, Ramlia
Day 2: Tafraout Sidi Ali Oumejran and Zagora.
Octavian says
Hi Silvia,
First of all I wanted to congratulate you for the good info I always get from your website before planning a trip 🙂 this really is a great source of inspiration every time and it is amazing that you share every bit of detail here, I know it’s not easy to keep track of everything when on a trip (also tried something similar at one point) 😀
I wanted to ask you a quick question. I am traveling with a buddy through Morocco and we are doing a similar itinerary to yours (again, stole some inspiration), and I am just a bit confused.. we will be traveling from Fez to Merzouga to do a desert trip there. I did not quite understand what u booked, the accommodation in Merzouga (L’Auberge Petit Prince) and the one in the desert (Bivouac Le Petit Prince Merzouga ) are two different ones on Booking.com. I am not sure which one I should choose for one night and a trip in the desert and if I must inform anybody that I want to do the desert trip. How exactly does that work?
thank you very much 😀
Octavian
Silvia says
You should book the desert trip, if that’s where you want to spend the night. Have fun!
Jade says
Hi, your blog was very interesting thank you! I am booking my trip to Morocco for April and I also would like some clarification did you book L’Auberge Petite Prince the night before you arrived at 7am as to get a few hours rest and then that day/night did you book Bivouac Le Petit Prince Merzouga for the night in the desert?
Thank you
Silvia says
I actually only booked the night in the desert and the manager was really nice and let us get some sleep in the morning for free. But that might just have been because they had extra room, so to be safe you’d want to book L’Auberge the night before the 7 am arrival. Have fun!
Morocco Top Trips and tours says
When your next time to Moroccan Desert?
Morocco Tours says
Great Article about our lovely country! Very informative Article, gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing and welcome to Morocco anytime 😊
Alessio says
Amazing informations!!!!
Fawad says
Very informative and great pics! I’m planning a similar trip independently from Fez to Marrakech, but I want to stop in Todra and Ait Ben Haddou as well. Is that possible with buses going from Merzouga to Marrakech, or do they not stop in those areas?
Marrakech says
Wow!! your blog is amazing, thank you so much for sharing with us.