Morocco desert tours - How much is that doggy in the window?

It's ALL about the money (again)

In our previous articles about Morocco desert tours, we discussed how, over our many years of experience with Morocco tour companies, we came to the conclusion that travellers are best to book their desert tours and excursions prior to arriving to Morocco.

read the article about how to book Morocco desert tours

We also discussed what happens if something goes wrong with a Morocco desert tour.

read the article about what to do if a Morocco desert tour goes wrong

Over many years of experience, hostel Marrakech has come to the conclusion that the only way to book a Morocco desert tour is with a third party agent and with a guarantee.

In this article, hostel Marrakech find out what to expect and how much to pay for a Morocco desert tour.

If you are not familiar with the locations and destinations of Morocco desert tours, then we advise you to 

read our article about where to take your Morocco desert tour (Will open in a new window)

In summary of Desert tour destinations in Morocco:

it is usual for: 

2 day 1 night desert tours to have a destination of Zagora and stay overnight in a nearby desert camp. 

3 day 2 night desert tours to have a destination of Merzouga and stay overnight at a guest-house in Dades Valley for the first night and a Desert camp at Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga for the 2nd night. 

4 day 3 night desert tours to stay overnight in a Dades valley guest-house for the first night, a Desert camp at Erg Chebbi for the 2nd night and a desert camp at Zagora for the 3rd night. 

If you decide to tailor make a desert tour, there are many other itineraries to choose from. 

For instance,  a 3 day 2 night desert tour, staying 1 night in a Ouarzazate hotel and then the second night in a desert camp near Zagora. 

Additionally, another choice is Erg Chegaga, which is about 2 hours south of Zagora. 

To stay at Erg Chegaga, the desert tour itinerary should be at least 3 days and 2 nights. 

It is reccomended that the first night be spent in a desert camp or hotel in Zagora, then on the second day, travel to M'hamid. From M'hamid, a 2 hour Camel trek into the desert to reach the desert camp is required.

There are many more tailor-made morocco desert tours, including departing from Marrakech and ending the tour in Fes, for example. 

how much to pay and what to expect?

There are many elements which come together to make a desert tour. 

1. It is best to decide, first what type of experience is required. 

    This is essentially the most important decision. Everything else will depend upon this decision.

    Do i want an Earthy experience with no frills?

    Do i want certain levels of comfort - hot showers and attentive staff?

    Do i want a personal guide who speaks my language and who is attentive to me and my friends and family?

    Do i want a comfortable vehicle, perhaps a 4x4 (a proper 4x4, see explanation later)?

    Do i want to meet other people, keep the cost down and i don't mind a minibus - as long as it gets me there and back.

These are all the main considerations we need to decide the type of desert tour we should look for. 

Desert camps quality

Essentially, we can categorise desert camps in Morocco into 3 standards:

Standard desert camps

Standard desert camps typically provide mattresses and full bedding in Berber tents. 

Some standard desert camps do include on site toilets, others do not. 

Standard desert camps do not usually have hot running water and hot showers. 

Usually, a tour company will take you to a local hotel the morning after a stay at a standard desert camp

you can enjoy breakfast and usually, take a shower. 

Food standards vary in Standard desert camps, but on the main, the food is cooked on site and usually

consists of Tagines and couscous. Vegatarians are normally catered for. 

Remember that after sundown, the desert temperature drops considerably.

Most standard desert camps host a camp bonfire for socialising and enjoying dinner around.

Luxury Desert camps

Luxury desert camps typically provide real beds in Berber tents with full bedding. 

Most luxury desert camps include on site toilets and hot showers. 

The food provided is usually of a better standard than at standard desert camps and the 

Camp staff can also be more attentive. 

For example, in this luxury desert camp, guests are welcomed with hot mint tea and Moroccan tea cakes, 

served by staff:

Luxury desert camps are typically furnished with a much higher quality surroundings. 

Super Luxury Desert camps

Essentially, the 5 star camps, where everything you could think of is provided. 

Ensuite bathrooms, electricity in the tents, fine dining, fine furnishings, very 

comfortable real beds, and staff who are akin to your Hotel Concierge. 

Dependant upon the choice made earlier, of the type of comfort required, will decide which type

of desert camp you will need to stay in. 

Morocco desert tour vehicle quality

Vehicle quality on desert tours can vary. 

This element is surely linked to the price that is paid.

The higher the cost of the desert tour, the higher the quality of vehicle that should be included.

If a budget tour is chosen, the vehicle quality can vary. 

Some Moroccan tour companies are content to use rather old minivans.

Realistically, even with a budget tour, the vehicle should look more like this:

A 4x4, that would be nice!

We have to know that actually, it is not required to use a 4x4 for a desert tour.

You won't be driving over massive dunes - no matter what standard of tour you choose.

First, there is the environment to consider, and second, 4x4's are very expensive.

So, no joy riding here!

But what if the Moroccan tour company tell you they will use a 4x4?

What's wrong? it's a 4x4 isn't?

Oh! you mean like this:

If a Moroccan tour company tells you that your vehicle will be a "4x4", 

ask them what type of vehicle it is....and get it in writing.

Renting a 4x4 in Morocco has an average cost of 200 Euro per day.

So the type of vehicle for a Morocco desert tour, also contributes to the cost.

Hotels:

A 3 day 2 night Desert tour and a 4 day 3 night desert tour and tailor made desert tours stay

overnight in hotels in different locations.

At the very least, the hotel room should be a private room with an ensuite bathroom and Air conditioning 

for the summer and heating for the winter.

Changing the type of hotels will change the cost of a desert tour. 

The better quality hotel required. the more the desert tour price will change.

Personal guides

At the very least, a desert tour should include a driver who speaks English.

Pay a little more and the desert tour should include a guide who is separate from the driver.

Continue reading about Morocco desert tour standards

Get it Guaranteed

Things go wrong, things sometimes are not as intended with all Moroccan tour companies. 

There are so many people involved in a desert tour, so many things to go wrong.

Occasionally, they do. Occasionally.

The important point is that, when and IF they do, we will be there for you. 

100% guaranteed

Read the Hostel Marrakech article about where to take a Morocco desert tour

100% guaranteed: Shared Morocco desert tours - Budget bargain solutions!

100% guaranteed: 3 day 2 night shared budget desert tour to Merzouga

100% guaranteed: 4 day 3 night shared desert tour to Merzouga and Zagora

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