A 3-Day Adventure with GetYourGuide
When I first booked GetYourGuide’s 3-Day Sahara Tour in Morocco, I had no idea that I was about to embark on one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. Growing up, we always heard tales of this vast, golden desert, where dunes rise like ocean waves and starry nights unfold in an otherworldly way. Marrakesh, with its vibrant markets, ancient medinas, and rich history, had opened my senses to this wonderful country, and now I was ready to travel through the very spine of it to reach the climax of our Moroccan adventure – the Sahara.
This blog will take you along for the ride on the 3-day Sahara tour, from exploring kasbahs, to camel rides through endless dunes, and ending with a night under the stars.
Day 1: Time to Go
Starting Point: Marrakech
Our journey began in the bustling city of Marrakech, the beating heart of Morocco. Early in the morning, the vibrant medina was already starting to come alive with the sound of merchants setting up shop, the scent of freshly baked bread, and the occasional donkey cart clattering along the narrow streets selling espresso. The meeting point for our tour was conveniently located in the city center, and as soon as our guide gathered us and the others, we hopped into a comfortable air-conditioned minibus, ready to head eastward towards the Sahara.
The High Atlas Mountains
Leaving the busy city behind, we found ourselves quickly within the stunning landscape of the High Atlas Mountains. If you’ve never driven through mountains like these before, the experience is mesmerizing. The peaks, some of which are snow-capped even in summer, stand tall against the sky, while valleys plunge deep with traditional villages clinging to the slopes. Our guide was a fountain of knowledge, and frequently shared stories about the Berber communities who have lived in this region for centuries. The drive was punctuated by photo stops, and at each turn, it felt like we had discovered landscape of Morocco.
Aït Benhaddou: The Ancient Kasbah
One of the highlights of Day 1 was our stop at Aït Benhaddou, an ancient mud-brick ksar (fortified village) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This kasbah may look familiar, that’s because it’s been the backdrop for countless films and TV shows like Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Wandering through its narrow alleys, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The structures are made entirely of earth and straw, and the view from the top offers an impressive panorama of the surrounding palm groves and desert.
We had lunch here, a delicious meal of tajine, a traditional dish of slow-cooked meat and vegetables, and couscous. The food in Morocco is incredible, and this was just the beginning of the culinary delights we would experience over the next few days.
Onward to Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley
After lunch, we continued our drive, passing through Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco” due to its movie studios. While we didn’t stop for long, it was fascinating to see the desert film sets scattered around. Me and another were able to haggle for some traditional Moroccan shirts in one of the small souks here, perfect for when we eventually reach the desert. From there, we travelled further into the Dades Valley, known for its dramatic rock formations and lush river oases. By late afternoon, we arrived at our hotel in the Dades Gorge and after a long day of traveling, a hot meal and a cosy hotel room was the perfect way to wind down.
Day 2: Journeying into the Sahara
Todra Gorge: A Natural Marvel
The second day of our adventure began with a hearty breakfast before we set off to explore the Todra Gorge. We were dropped of at a little village before the gorge which was straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. We walked through taking in the beauty of the people, surrounding cliffs and greenery before then being taken into one of the villagers houses for a quick lesson in traditional Moroccan rug weaving. This experience was truly beautiful and enhanced our understanding of the people and cultures of Morocco and the techniques that have been used for hundreds of years to farm the land and create a living.
We then arrived at the gorge, with its towering red cliffs and crystal-clear river snaking through, and a refreshing breeze—a stark contrast to the heat of the desert just hours away. The gorge is popular with rock climbers, but even if you’re not scaling the cliffs, the scenery is breathtaking. We spent some time wandering along the river, soaking in the cool air and snapping photos of the dramatic landscape.
Entering the Sahara: Camel Ride at Sunset
As the day wore on, we left the mountains behind and began to approach the Sahara Desert. If you’ve ever been to a desert, you’ll know how incredible it is to see the edge of the dunes before it becomes road. The landscape slowly transformed from rocky roads to vast, flat expanses, and then, in the distance, we saw the dunes. The sight of the Sahara for the first time is something you can never forget. It’s as if the earth stretches into infinity as the dunes glow under the late afternoon sun.
At the edge of the desert, we met our camels. Yes, camels! Each of us was assigned one, and we climbed onto their backs for the ride of a lifetime. Luckily, we ended up leading the caravan of tourists from the front! If you’ve never ridden a camel before, it’s a bit wobbly at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s surprisingly relaxing. We trekked into the desert as the sun began to set, casting the sand in shades of pink and gold. This was the moment I had been waiting for—the quintessential Sahara experience. We left our camels behind and walked into the vast nothingness of the Sahara and, as well as doing some sandboarding we sat upon a high dune and simply took in our surroundings. Sitting upon the dunes, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the sky exploded in colours. It was pure magic.
A Night in the Desert: Berber Camp Experience
After about an hour of riding, we arrived at our Berber camp nestled among the dunes. The camp was much more comfortable than I had imagined and we were greeted with mint tea (a Moroccan tradition). Our tents were surprisingly spacious, with comfortable beds and blankets to keep out the desert chill.
That evening, we gathered around a campfire for a traditional Berber dinner, which included a fragrant lamb tajine, fresh bread, and Moroccan salads. The Berber hosts entertained us with live drumming and singing, and as we danced around the fire and sat under the blanket of stars, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The Sahara sky is like nothing else—there’s no light pollution, so the stars seem to be brighter and closer than ever. Some of us even stayed up late into the night, lying on the cool sand, watching for shooting stars and simply taking it all in.
Day 3: Sunrise and the Journey Back
Sunrise Over the Dunes
On the final morning, we woke up before dawn to witness the sunrise over the Sahara. It was an early wake-up call, but trust me, it’s worth it. Watching the first rays of sunlight touch the dunes is something I’ll never forget. The colours shift from deep purples and blues to warm oranges and golds, and the desert slowly comes to life. After breakfast at the camp, we hopped back onto our camels for the ride out of the desert.
The Return Journey: From the Sahara to Marrakech
The journey back to Marrakech was long, but it was filled with fascinating stops that made the time pass relatively quickly. One of these stops was at the Draa Valley, famous for its date palms. We also passed through several small villages where life seemed to move at a slower, more relaxed pace.
By the time we arrived back in Marrakech in the late afternoon, I was both exhausted and exhilarated. The 3-day Sahara tour had been everything I’d hoped for and more. From the rich history and culture of the kasbahs to the raw beauty of the desert, Morocco had shown me a side of itself that I will always treasure.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Take the 3-Day Sahara Tour
If you’re considering visiting Morocco, don’t miss the chance to experience the Sahara Desert. This 3-day tour with GetYourGuide is the perfect way to do it. It’s well-organized, with knowledgeable guides, comfortable accommodations, and enough variety in the itinerary to keep things exciting without feeling rushed. The landscapes you’ll see—from the High Atlas Mountains to the sprawling desert—are simply unforgettable.
Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple, or a group of friends, this tour offers a mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation that is hard to beat. Riding camels through the dunes, watching the stars from a desert camp, and exploring ancient kasbahs—it’s the kind of trip that will leave you with memories (and photos!) to last a lifetime. As it certainly did for us.