The cost of a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech depends on three things: how many days you travel, whether the tour is private or shared, and the comfort of the camp. Shared group tours are the cheapest. Private tours cost more but give you your own vehicle and driver, your own pace and a choice of camp. This guide shows our own private tour prices, explains what is included, and lists the questions that tell you whether a price is good value.
Our private desert tour prices
These are our current online prices per person for private tours from Marrakech, with the 10% online discount already applied. Prices on each tour page are always the most up to date.
| Tour | Duration | Desert | Online price per person | Standard price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Zagora Desert Tour | 2 days / 1 night | Zagora | From €180 | €200 |
| 3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour | 3 days / 2 nights | Erg Chebbi | From €491 | €545 |
| 3-Day Sahara Tour, Marrakech to Fes | 3 days / 2 nights | Erg Chebbi | From €590 | €655 |
| 4-Day Merzouga and Draa Valley Tour | 4 days / 3 nights | Erg Chebbi | From €675 | €750 |
For a shorter taste of the desert, our Agafay Desert sunset trip starts from €81 per person and our 2-day Agafay Desert and Atlas Mountains tour from €167. The Agafay is a stony desert near Marrakech, not a sand sea.
What is included in the price?
On our 3-day Merzouga tour, for example, the price includes:
- A private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- One night in a hotel or guesthouse in the Dades Valley and one night in a desert camp near Merzouga
- Dinners and breakfasts on both nights
- A camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Visits to Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge
Not included: lunches and drinks, entrance fees and local guides at sites, tips and travel insurance. Check the same list for any tour you compare, because these extras add up over three or four days.
Why are shared tours so much cheaper?
You will find shared desert tours from Marrakech advertised online for a fraction of a private tour price. They can be good value for solo travellers on a tight budget. The lower price comes from a few clear differences:
- Group size: you travel in a minibus with other travellers, often a full one.
- Fixed schedule: departure times, stops and lunch places are set for everyone.
- Shopping stops: some budget tours include stops where commissions help keep the price low.
- Basic camps: large shared camps with simple tents and shared bathrooms.
- Long days: a 3-day route squeezed into fewer, longer driving days.
A private tour costs more because the vehicle, driver and schedule are yours. You stop when you want, travel at your pace, and choose a camp that suits you.
What changes the price of a desert tour?
- Number of days: Merzouga needs at least three days; Zagora can be done in two.
- Number of travellers: on private tours, the vehicle cost is shared, so the price per person usually falls as the group grows.
- Camp level: luxury tents with private bathrooms cost more than standard tents.
- Hotels: on longer tours, the comfort level of riads and hotels makes a big difference.
- Season: demand rises around Christmas, New Year and spring holidays.
- Ending point: finishing in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech changes the route and the price.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the tour private or shared, and how many people will be in the vehicle?
- Which camp is it, and is the bathroom shared or private?
- How many hours will we drive each day?
- Which meals, entrance fees and guides are included?
- What is the cancellation policy, and how much do I pay now?
For a longer checklist, read 12 questions to ask before booking a tour in Marrakech.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a trip to the Sahara from Marrakech?
Our private tours start from €180 per person for 2 days to Zagora and from €491 per person for 3 days to Merzouga, at online prices. Shared group tours cost less; luxury private tours cost more.
Is the Sahara worth it from Marrakech?
Yes, if you have at least three days. The drive across the Atlas and through the valleys is part of the experience, and a night in the dunes is unforgettable. With less time, choose Zagora or the Agafay.
Do I pay more if I travel alone?
On a private tour, one traveller pays more per person because the vehicle and driver are not shared. Ask for a quote with your exact group size.
How far is Marrakech from the Sahara Desert?
Zagora is roughly a day’s drive south of Marrakech, and Merzouga is further east. That is why Merzouga tours take at least three days.
The bottom line
The cheapest desert tour is rarely the best value. Compare what is included, how long you will drive each day and which camp you sleep in, then choose the tour that fits your budget and your pace. To see a price for your dates and group size, open any of our Sahara desert tours or send us a message.
