An Incredible Experience in the Sahara Desert
“The use of travelling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” ~ Samuel Johnson
Being an admirer of places that have an essence of brightness in them {read ~ sunny climates instead of wet and grey} the Sahara Desert has been a destination that I have longed to visit for many years. Last October, Vikram and I finally got to be on an incredible adventure, journeying down the windy roads and changing elevations of the Atlas Mountains to reach our desert destination and experience a magical Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco. While you’ve really got to love this kind of scenery to rationalize such a long road trip; the beauty that peaks through the harsh climate is just a wonder in itself!
The Sahara Desert Experience
Travelling to the far east of Morocco, the Sahara Desert is just a few kilometres away from the border of Algeria. Making a trip to this destination that is not easily accessible is a story on its own. This story took shape for us on the outskirts of Merzouga. We arrived at our Mediterranean-style boutique hotel around noon. Looking over the horizon, all our eyes could see was the large “sea” of rhythmic and undulating sand dunes… It was equivalent to observing a very intricate painting, and left us feeling instantly refreshed even after our long and tiresome journey.
After a short relaxation break and as the sun settled past the horizon, we were lead to an area where lanterns were twinkling and dinner ‘under the stars’ was waiting. I will never forget the feast we had that night as it was no less than a celebration. The dishes were mainly local, consisting of delicacies like tagine which had slow-cooked meat and vegetables prepared in a clay pot. This scrumptious stew, where the sweet and savoury flavours were perfectly balanced, was served alongside rice and olives. With happy stomachs, we later gathered around a bonfire and settled on comfortable cushions placed around it. Our local Berber guides then brought out drums and we listened to them sing while gazing at a million stars overhead. The mood set by the singing, drumming, and laughter was truly liberating. In that moment, I fully comprehended the magical magnificent of the Mighty Sahara, and I smiled at the fact I was finally somewhere I had dreamed about…
After the long night we’d had, sleep came instantly. The next day, we woke before the dawn, brimming with enthusiasm for this particular part of our tour; to have our first ever camel ride overlooking the spectacular dunes. After all, riding on a camel’s back and soaking in the sights is not something you get to do every day, is it? To be honest, I have ridden horses, and even experienced an elephant ride at a beautiful elephant sanctuary in Jaipur, but let me tell you, riding a camel on the uneven sands of the desert on a sunny day is a rather unique experience. You “sit” on the camel while it is resting on the ground, and then are essentially jerked up in the air as the animal quickly rises to its feet. I just had this grin on my face the whole time as we tottered awkwardly on camel-back… and I had this constant feeling that my saddle might slip-off {ha!}.
We set off straight towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. As we prepared ourselves for the main event as the sun rose, I couldn’t believe the view in front of my eyes as I fixed my gaze on the sand-crusted dunes. The early morning light played tricks on the dunes changing the colour from a dusty brown to a rusty red. We made a quick stop to capture the picturesque scene before us to memorize our journey.
Just as our tour group was about to reach the sunrise viewpoint, Vikram and I decided to climb the better part of the dune in front of us. The dune didn’t look *that* high, but overconfidence certainly can’t get you to the top. I learned that the hard way! You tell yourself you can easily make the climb; that all those aerobics classes surely have prepared you for this moment… But I kept sinking and sliding back every time I tried to take a step forward. My sneakers were full of sand and my breathing got heavier by the minute. When I did finally manage to get to the top, the view was something out of a movie!
One might wonder why I would travel over sixteen hours just to spend a couple of nights in the desert, but going on a trip like this had been on my bucket list for a long time… Gazing at the scenery, with the sun rising above the horizon and the infinite Sahara Desert in sight, the colours changing from dull amber to pink to a dazzling gold ~ the travel fatigue was just background noise to me, and the struggles were rightfully worth the adventure. It saddened me a little when it was time to head back to the hotel.
Remote destinations create great travel stories. The trip surpassed my expectations by miles. From identifying constellations among the stars with the night sky twinkling back at me to riding camels and watching their long, spindly-legged shadows cast in the desert sand to climbing the golden dunes to experience the magical desert sunrise to immersing myself in the calm meditative silence that can only be found in the dunes of the desert ~ I loved every moment of our Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco. It was justly an experience I shall never forget!
I hope I get to come back here again and relive this unique adventure and make new memories. I can now proudly and positively check off this destination from my bucket list. If you love unconventional beauty, this tour will be one you will cherish for a lifetime!
What You Need to Know About Sahara Trips in Morocco
Where is the Sahara Desert?
A Sahara Desert tour to experience its dramatic and splendid scenery can be a magical journey for many during their Morocco tour. Although, it’s not entirely easy to get to the Sahara in Morocco as it really isn’t accessible from any of the major metropolitan cities you can fly into, and will require 2-3 days for most tours {from Marrakesh or Fes} to get that authentic experience and feel.
Covering a sizeable portion of the African continent, over 9 million square kilometres, the Sahara Desert in Morocco is located in the south and the east, and sits just on the periphery of the Algeria border. You would need to navigate the High Atlas Mountains to access the Sahara from Marrakesh, and this simply can’t be accomplished in one day!
How to Book a Sahara Desert Tour
Our three-nights trip to the world’s largest hot desert was part of our overall Morocco tour itinerary. But desert tours such as the one we experienced, where we got to explore the incredibly beautiful sand dunes, are particularly prevalent in Morocco and are easy to arrange. Whatever your requirements, you’ll find a plethora of standalone Sahara tour packages from major cities like Marrakesh and Fes. Based on the itinerary and which part of the Sahara you’re visiting, the trip can last anywhere from 2-5 days.
On a short extended weekend getaway, wanting to just meet her once? If so, it’s a fantastic idea to add a two day package to Erg Chigaga, or the Zagora desert from Marrakesh. A 350 kilometres road trip, a well spent night, a sunset and sunrise and you can get back to Marrakesh. Sweet and simple, and a perfect fit for those busy schedules.
Or are you a hiking or exploring junkie, wanting to visit those golden-orange dunes you’ve seen in pictures? Worry not; you’ll easily find multi-day packages to the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes near Merzouga {approx. 550 kilometres from Marrakesh}. Spend a few days getting to know the Sahara better, listening to her heart beats and return with a story to tell all; for who knows what adventure you stumble upon amidst the infinite undulating dunes?
What is the Accommodation Like?
From our luxurious accommodation to sitting atop a camel to experience the mighty sand dunes to dining under the stars while enjoying our “drums party” around the campfire, our Sahara Desert tour had been worth every second. So much that I didn’t even realize how much I over-exerted until after our amazing experience was over! Even you can have your trip customized to view a magnificent desert sunrise after spending a pleasant night in a boutique hotel/nomad tent under the starry night-sky by contacting a tour expert.
There are countless resorts and campsites that meet the needs of both tourists and Moroccans on holiday. The campsites differ in size, but are quite similar in general ~ fitted with massive tents, frequently equipped with comfortable mattresses or even proper beds to rest on.
Is Riding Camels Ethical?
Lately, I have become more aware about responsible tourism. I have come to realize the impact my actions may have on my immediate environment, including both people and wildlife.
I am an animal-friendly person; therefore, some encounters with them are a complete no-no for me. For instance, I would not go swimming with dolphins or riding elephants held in captivity. Even riding a camel in the desert is a grey area for me. But I believe that if done in a proper manner, everyone can benefit mutually as the camel owner can earn a decent living, the tourist has a memorable experience and the camel is well-cared for and healthy.
Almost all Sahara Desert tours in Morocco will offer a camel ride from and back to your hotel/desert camp. Riding a camel is, of course, optional. Walking through the desert might be an alternate option, but not a good one. Trust me when I say that walking through sand dunes for at least an hour, is no easy task for anyone except the guides. Nevertheless, riding a camel was an experience that I felt comfortable with, and I definitely came back from this trip liking camels a lot more than I previously did. 🙂
What to Pack for a Sahara Desert tour
Since we had planned our trip to the Sahara Desert in October, when there is typical desert weather, sunny and hot during the day but equally cold at night, what we packed for the desert trip and overnight stay was important. That being said, irrespective of the time of the year you are visiting, there are some essentials to be packed while on a trip to the Sahara in Morocco:
- Firstly, a good day pack containing all essentials is an absolute must for an excursion into the desert, since your main luggage will likely be left at a hotel. A day pack includes a durable backpack, preferably a collapsible one, to carry basic essentials like a reusable water bottle, sun protection including a hat or cap, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Remember what I said about the desert being hot during the day. You need your liquid. Here’s where a reusable water bottle comes in to keep you hydrated in the scorching desert heat. It will also save you money since you will not need to buy water. Carry the one that fits your needs.
- Sun protection is also a must since there will be no shade in the desert and the sun is rather harsh even in winter. So, a comfortable and light sunhat or scarf in addition to sunglasses and sunscreen should do the trick ~ as I presume you don’t want sunburns during your tour.
- Next comes a good pair of shoes. The sneakers I chose were good for the camel riding since camel saddles do not have stirrups, but weren’t particularly helpful while climbing sand dunes, although they helped in protecting my feet from the hot desert sand. Of course, I later discovered that open-toed flats work best when it came to climbing sand dunes and walking in the sand.
- Another important albeit optional accessory is a pair of good earplugs. Since the walls of the room where you stay for the night would in all likelihood be thin, even the tiniest of sounds can be heard. So, if you are a light sleeper then earplugs are a must; but it is good to pack a pair even otherwise, just in case.
To conclude: Was the Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco an unforgettable and life-changing experience? Absolutely, this tour was worth every second and I was definitely brimming with happiness! Morocco’s Sahara is a spectacular, breath-taking sight and I loved every moment of this journey where I got to learn something new every day!
There are just so many interesting things to see and do in Morocco… Vikram and I stayed in this beautiful country for over 2 weeks and all we met were warm and welcoming locals who wanted us to experience their beautiful country. To come and see and get acquaintance with their way of life! Don’t stay home for your next vacation ~ why not visit Morocco?
So what do you think? Would you ever book a tour like this to Morocco? Is visiting the Sahara Desert on your bucket list? Tell us about it in the comments below!