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Small Group Trips in Morocco

How our Morocco small group tours work

Morocco small group tours let you share the road to the Sahara with a handful of like-minded travellers, paying a shared price while still enjoying a relaxed, personal trip. Every departure is run by our local team in Marrakech, who have been organising journeys across the country for over a decade.

They suit solo travellers, couples and friends who want the desert, the Atlas Mountains and the kasbah valleys without planning every detail. You travel in an air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking driver, sleep in a hotel in the valleys and a traditional camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and follow a well-tested route.

Why travel in a small group?

  • Shared costs – the vehicle, driver and fuel are split between the group, so a three-day Sahara trip costs noticeably less than travelling privately.
  • Easy for solo travellers – instant company for the camel ride, the sunset and the campfire.
  • Minibuses, not coaches – a smaller vehicle copes with narrow valley roads and stops for photos without fuss.
  • Everything arranged – accommodation, breakfast and dinner on both nights, and the camel ride are organised before you leave.

Our shared Sahara routes

Below you will find these departures alongside private tours from each city, so you can compare both styles at a glance. Each tour page shows live prices and lets you book online.

Travellers watching the Sahara sunset
Sand dunes of the Moroccan Sahara

Departures from Marrakech

Departures from Fes

Departures from Casablanca

Excursions in Merzouga

Departures from Agadir

Departures from Tangier

What a shared desert tour in Morocco includes

Every shared desert tour follows the same proven formula: three days and two nights, one in the mountains or valleys and one under the stars in the Sahara. Here is what is covered and what you pay for locally.

Included

  • Shared air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking driver
  • Morning pick-up in your departure city – the exact time and meeting point are confirmed when you book
  • One night in a hotel or guesthouse, usually in the Dades Valley, with breakfast and dinner
  • One night in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with breakfast and dinner
  • Camel ride into the dunes at sunset and back after sunrise

Not included

  • Lunches and drinks – simple roadside restaurants are inexpensive
  • Entrance fees, for example at kasbahs
  • Tips for your driver and camel guides
Watching the sunset from a Sahara dune
Watching the sunset from a Sahara dune

A small group Sahara tour, day by day

The classic route from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas and reaches the dunes on day two, splitting the roughly 560 km drive to Merzouga into manageable stages with plenty of stops.

  1. Day 1 – Atlas passes and kasbahs. Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), explore the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, then continue past Ouarzazate, the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley.
  2. Day 2 – Gorges and dunes. Walk through the Todra Gorge, drive via Erfoud to Merzouga and ride a camel into Erg Chebbi, where the dunes rise to around 150 m, for sunset, dinner and Berber drumming at camp.
  3. Day 3 – Sunrise and onward. Watch the sun come up over the sand, then either return to Marrakech via the Draa Valley or head north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Fes.

Expect long days in the vehicle, often seven to ten hours with regular breaks. If you would like more time in the Sahara, our wider range of Morocco desert tours includes four- and five-day itineraries, and you can add a longer camel trekking experience in Merzouga.

Menara Gardens pavilion with the Atlas behind, Marrakech
Menara Gardens pavilion with the Atlas behind, Marrakech

Morocco small group tours or a private trip?

A shared departure is the right choice if you are travelling on a budget, happy with a fixed route and enjoy meeting people. A private Morocco tour makes more sense if you want to choose your start date freely, travel at your own pace, add extra nights or travel with children who need more breaks. Private trips come with your own vehicle and driver, and standard or luxury accommodation.

Starting in Casablanca, Tangier or Agadir? Tours from those cities are private, but many travellers simply reach Marrakech or Fes by train and join a shared departure from there. If nothing on this page fits, we can build a tailor-made Morocco tour around your dates.

Mud-brick village street in Merzouga
Mud-brick village street in Merzouga

When to join a group tour in Morocco

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) bring the most comfortable temperatures on the road and in the dunes. Summer days in the Sahara are very hot, so camel rides are timed for the late afternoon and early morning. From November to March, desert nights are cold – bring a warm jacket and layers, even when the days are sunny.

What to pack

  • A small overnight bag for the camp – your main luggage stays in the vehicle
  • A scarf, sunglasses, a hat and sun cream for sun and sand
  • Cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips
  • Comfortable shoes for the walk in the Todra Gorge
Luxury tents among the Merzouga dunes
Luxury tents among the Merzouga dunes

How booking works

  1. Choose a tour above and pick your date on its page to see the live price.
  2. Secure your place online with a 10% deposit by PayPal or card; the balance is paid on the first day of the tour.
  3. We confirm availability, the meeting point and the pick-up time by email.

Questions before you book? Message our Marrakech team by phone or WhatsApp on +212 673 55 54 08, or email [email protected] for a free quote.

Rocky desert landscape with a camel, southern Morocco
Rocky desert landscape with a camel, southern Morocco

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for a small group Sahara tour?

Three days is the practical minimum from Marrakech or Fes, because Merzouga is a long drive from both cities: about 9–10 hours from Marrakech and 7–8 hours from Fes without stops. Three days gives you one night in the valleys and one in a desert camp.

How much does a shared desert tour in Morocco cost?

Shared tours cost considerably less than private ones because the transport is split between travellers. Prices depend on the route, accommodation and season; each tour page shows the live price per person and lets you book online.

Are small group tours suitable for solo travellers?

Yes. Shared departures are popular with people travelling alone, and the camel ride and evening around the campfire make it easy to get to know the group.

Where do shared tours from Marrakech start?

In the early morning, from your riad or a central meeting point near Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The exact time and place are confirmed when you book.

Is it safe to join a group tour in Morocco?

Morocco is a welcoming destination, and travelling with a local driver who knows the roads adds peace of mind. Our guide to whether Morocco is safe to visit has practical tips.

Can I change the route or dates of a shared tour?

Shared tours follow a fixed itinerary. If you need different dates or extra stops, a private tour follows the same routes on your own schedule.

Let’s plan your Morocco trip

Tell us your dates and wishes. A local expert replies with a tailor-made itinerary and price, free of charge.