An Unforgettable Adventure: The Authentic Morocco Tour
Just a couple of days after arriving in the vibrant city of Marrakesh, we embarked on the incredible ‘Authentic Morocco’ tour. Our mission? To witness the highest and most spectacular sand dunes in the country and to experience the magic of a camel ride deep within the desert.
We’d wisely booked this excursion well in advance with a fantastic local travel company. The tour spanned three glorious days and included two overnight stays, with almost everything covered for the amazing price of just EUR 120 per person (we paid an advance deposit of EUR 70).
A quick note: this was before the pandemic, so prices have undoubtedly increased since then. In fact, after comparing our itinerary with similar tours available in late 2025, it seems the current price would be closer to EUR 175 per person. There are plenty of options to find on sites like TripAdvisor, but my top tip would be to check whether the tour uses a bus/minibus or a 4×4 vehicle. For the best experience navigating those mountain and desert roads, I would definitely recommend choosing the latter!
In a nutshell, this tour was phenomenal value for money, and we were utterly thrilled with every moment. Ready for the details? Let’s dive in!
Day One – Crossing the Mighty High Atlas Mountains
Our adventure began at 8 AM sharp when we met our driver-guide near our hotel. We climbed into a comfortable Toyota Land Cruiser, where a few other excited travellers were waiting to join us. With one driver and six passengers in total, there was just the right amount of space for the long journey ahead.
Our first day’s destination was the dramatic Dades Gorge, a small village that feels wonderfully remote. The journey itself was an event, as we travelled over the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m). We watched in awe as Berber villages dotted the dramatic landscapes, clinging to the mountainsides.
A major highlight was stopping at the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. This famous fortified village (or ksar) has been the backdrop for over twenty major films! While we were tempted to spend some time exploring its earthen clay buildings and winding streets, our small group of like-minded travellers made a collective decision: we would admire the ksar from the outside and save our time for the main event – the Sahara Desert. Our driver was wonderfully accommodating, accepting our choice without hesitation, which we truly appreciated.
Before finally arriving at our hotel, our route took us through Ouarzazate, continuing past the beautiful Valley of Roses, the lush Skoura oasis, and the fascinating Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Our hotel for the night was a peaceful haven. The hosts provided delicious, hearty food, allowing us to properly relax and recharge for the next day’s adventures.
Day Two – A Camel Trek & A Night with Nomads
After a hearty breakfast, we set off once more, making a stop at the magnificent Todra Gorge. It was one of the most impressive natural wonders I have ever seen – a massive fault in the earth, with sheer cliff faces rising to 300 metres in a narrow, picturesque valley.
After lunch, the anticipation built as we journeyed to our final destination: the great sand dunes of Erg Chebbi! Nothing prepares you for that first sight of the golden-orange dunes rising from the stark plains like waves on a petrified sea. This stunning area is located in eastern Morocco, a mere 20 kilometres from the Algerian border. Upon arrival, we had a short break to drop our bags at the hotel before the evening’s main event.
Just before sunset, we met our camels for a truly iconic trek to a camp of Nomadic Berber tents. The two-hour camel ride was an exhilarating, if slightly exhausting, experience. The silence of the desert, broken only by the soft plod of the camels’ feet, was incredibly peaceful. Halfway through, we paused to watch the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues – a truly magical moment.
The evening party in the desert was nothing short of amazing. We were treated to a delicious, outstanding dinner, followed by a campfire and a drum party under a blanket of stars. We even had a chance to play the drums ourselves – they look deceptively simple, but it turns out you need a lot of practice to make a proper sound and rhythm!
Day Three – The Long Journey Back to Marrakesh
We awoke early for one final camel-back ride, returning to the hotel in Merzouga where we had stored our main luggage before the desert camp. A quick tip for future travellers: we regretted not packing our swimwear, as the hotel had a stunning pool that was perfect for a refreshing morning dip before the long journey ahead!
Afterwards, we began the long but incredibly scenic drive back to Marrakesh, breaking up the trip with lunch in Ouarzazate. This was, I believe, the only meal not included in the tour price. Absolutely everything else was seamlessly covered, which was a huge bonus – it meant we could simply relax and enjoy the experience, with the only extra consideration being tips for the excellent service, which we were always happy to give.
As we drove back over the majestic High Atlas Mountains, we asked our driver if we could stop at a local cooperative shop to purchase some authentic Argan oil and other local produce to take home. He kindly agreed, and it was a lovely, pressure-free shopping experience. I must commend the organisers here – their promise to avoid touristy souvenir shops was fully kept, and we didn’t face a single annoying salesman during the entire trip.
This incredible adventure took place during our very first trip to Morocco. We fell so in love with the country that we’ve returned many times since! You can find more tales from our Moroccan travels elsewhere on this blog.