Via Sahara · honest guide
The Sahara, from Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes
Desert tours, nights in the dune camps and hand-picked places to stay — with honest advice to choose well.
Honest comparisons
Not sure which tour? Start here: we compare the options on what actually matters.
Where to stay
From medina riads to desert camps
Your trip has two nights that matter: the riad in Marrakech before and after the desert, and the camp night on the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
We hand-picked the stays worth booking in both places — real guest scores, honest notes, direct booking links.
Before you go
The guides you actually need
Practical, honest answers to the questions people ask before a desert trip — when to go, what to pack, whether it is worth it.
Best Time to Visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco
The best months for the classic 3-day Marrakech–Merzouga tour are March–May and September–November, with warm days and mild nights. Summer heat and cold winter nights are trade-offs, not deal-breakers.
Marrakech to Merzouga: How to Reach the Sahara Desert
Merzouga is about 560 km and 9–10 hours of driving from Marrakech, with no train reaching the desert. Here is an honest comparison of every way to get there — tour, rental car, coach and flight — and what each one actually costs you in time, money and scenery.
What to Pack for a Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
A practical, season-by-season packing list for a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. What to wear on the dunes, what keeps you warm at the camp, and what to leave behind in your riad.
Ready to choose your desert?
Start from the comparison: in two minutes you know which tour is yours.