The Agafay desert is one of the most surprising deserts in the world, as it's known not for its dunes but for its mountainous landscapes. Here are the best options for spending the night in this captivating place, which will amaze you with the beauty of its sunsets. The Agafay desert is located around 40 kilometers from Marrakech, one of Morocco's most important cities. Its fame is largely due to its eclectic landscape, which consists not of sand dunes, but of plains, canyons and rugged, rocky plateaus. Perfect territory for hiking, mountain biking, quad biking and other adventure activities.
One of the extreme activities in Agafay is to spending the night in the desert. It's an experience that will push you to your limits, as it's a place where daytime temperatures can reach 40°C and drop to 0°C at night, especially in winter. If you're a fan of this kind of experience, here are the best alternatives.
1. Spend the night in the Agafay desert on an excursion from Marrakech
On these hotel pick-up excursions, you can travel by bus from Marrakech to the entrance to the Agafay Desert. You'll then continue your journey by 4x4 to the camp, where you'll be welcomed by the locals in a series of haimas, or tents, where you'll be offered tea, a typically Moroccan drink.
At sunset, you can choose between a camel ride along the desert tracks or staying at camp to watch the sunset, one of the most beautiful in the world with its clear, light pollution-free sky. Capturing such landscapes or taking the best travel photos are just some of the motivations for tourists who choose this experience.
These tours usually include a Moroccan-style dinner with salads, a delicious chicken tagine, vegetable couscous and desserts. After dinner, you can take part in a bonfire that lasts until midnight, but if you prefer to rest, you can also retire to your haima for the night.
Like sunset, sunrise in the desert is unforgettable. The best option, then, is to wake up early and follow it closely, before the farewell breakfast that marks your return to Marrakech. by the end of the tour, you'll have enjoyed one of the most fascinating experiences Morocco has to offer.
Important details:
- Price: these excursions have an initial cost ofaround 75 euros, including transfers to and from the hotel, dinner and breakfast.
- Duration: approx. 20 hours.
- Advantages of these tours: you'll enjoy an extreme experience, even though you'll be assisted at all times by the organizers.
- Disadvantages of these tours: although they are part of a typical activity, they do not include music or dance performances.
2. Spend the night in the Agafay desert with dinner and show included
If you want to discover folklore, tradition and gastronomy, you can opt for these excursions, which include an overnight stay in the Agafay desert, dinner and a typical show, with belly dancing, fire-eating and Gnawa music, which is part of Moroccan religious rhythms. During these adventures, you'll usually be able to dress up in traditional costume and put yourself in the shoes of a local.
In addition to camel rides in the desert and photos of some of the Maghreb's most beautiful landscapes, you can get henna tattoos and take part in a haimah show, while sampling local dishes.
After dinner, you can choose to join the campfire or relax and wait for the sunrise, which you can see before breakfast and the return to Marrakech. This full day in Agafay is one of the best desert excursions in Morocco.
Important details:
- Price: these excursions have an initial cost of around 115 euros, including transfers to and from the hotel, dinner, show and breakfast.
- Duration: approx. 22 hours.
- Advantages of these excursions: you'll have the chance to experience the desert like a local.
- Disadvantages: you won't have much free time to enjoy the desert during the day.
3. Quad biking and overnight in the Agafay desert
If you'd like to combine a quad bike adventure, a visit to the landscapes of Lake Takerkoust and an overnight experience in the desert, you can opt for these tours where you'll usually be picked up from your hotel by a bus and taken to the gate of Agafay, where your tour will begin.
Led by an expert local guide, you' ll be part of a four-wheel-drive excursion around Lake Takerkoust, a site considered sacred in Morocco and surrounded by archaeological ruins. What's more, during the summer months, you'll have free time for a swim.
By the lake, you can take the most beautiful photos and wait for the sun to set before spending the night in a haima after a typical dinner. The next day, you can watch the sunrise and have breakfast before returning to your hotel.
These excursions allow you to combine two of Agafay's best activities, namely the quad-biking adventure tour and the night in the desert, a deifi that involves facing temperatures of up to 40°C during the day and withstanding temperatures that drop below 0°C at dawn.
Important details:
- Price: these excursions have an initial cost of around 85 euros, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up, dinner, mountain bike ride on Lake Takerkoust and breakfast.
- Duration: approx. 17 hours.
- Advantages of these tours: you can combine two of the best activities available in the Agafay desert.
- Disadvantages of these tours: this is a tour with little free time and does not include cultural activities such as shows and folk dances.
How to book an overnight trip to the Agafay desert?
You can book excursions online in advance, or book them in Marrakech once you're in the city, as there is a large informal market for excursions and tourist services. However, we advise you to check the conditions and safety of the experience if you hire services outside the typical suppliers, as there are many scams out there.
The best alternative to ensure that you hire a responsible provider, lock in the price and secure your place, is to book online in advance. It's also the cheapest option, and you'll have peace of mind during the tour and every part of the adventure experience.
How long does an overnight tour of the Agafay Desert last?
It all depends on the option you choose, but on average, tours last between 17 and 22 hours in total. They generally start in the afternoon after lunch, with hotel pick-up, and end the following day after breakfast. The duration also depends on the other activities included in the experience, in addition to the night in the desert.
These excursions, which last almost a full day, are not recommended if you're planning a short stay in the city, or if they're too far from your transfer to Marrakech airport. These tours tend to be delayed or have their schedules changed.
Note also that desert excursions often include other activities such as camel ridesquad biking, dinner with a folkloric show and sunset and sunrise photos.
What will I see on this type of excursion?
The Agafay Desert, covering several hundred hectares, is a landscape of plains, canyons and rugged, rocky plateaus. Here you can enjoy adventure activities, birdwatching and all kinds of extreme experiences.
It's important to note that the climate of the Agafay desert is arid and hot during the day, with temperatures that can exceed 40°C in summer and drop below 0°C at night in winter. For this reason, we recommend that you dress warmly and stay hydrated during the day. The region is very dry, with little rainfall and sparse vegetation consisting mainly of shrubs and cacti.
The Agafay Desert is a popular tourist destination for those seeking a unique Moroccan experience, whether for a day trip from Marrakech or to spend several days exploring the region.
In addition to scenic beauty and outdoor activities, visitors can also discover Morocco's culture and history, making it one of the most visited sites in the Maghreb.
Tips for an overnight trip to the Agafay desert
The Agafay Desert is a site developed for tourism, but it's a desert nonetheless. If you plan to spend the night there, we recommend you heed the following advice:
- Always pack the right gear: although you'll be provided with everything you need on an excursion, it's best topack warm clothes, as temperatures can drop considerably at night in the desert. It's also important to wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on rocky terrain.
- Bring sunscreen: even in the evening, the sun can still be very strong in the desert, so it's important to bring sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
- Use an experienced guide: if you're unfamiliar with the Agafay desert, it's advisable to book an excursion with an experienced guide, who can show you the terrain and, of course, point out the best spots for stargazing.
- Respect nature: don't forget that you're in a natural environment and it's important to respect the local flora and fauna. And don't forget that many sites are considered sacred by the locals, so it's best to respect the rules to avoid any inconvenience.
- Bring a camera: the desert offers unforgettable images, especially at sunset and sunrise. Make sure you have the right camera for the best shots.
How much does an excursion to the Agafay desert cost?
That depends on the option you choose, but in general, they're not very expensive compared with similar experiences elsewhere. In fact, you spend a whole night in the desert, with cultural activities, shows and dinners for around 80-120 euros.
Bear in mind that some activities may not be included in the initial price, and that Morocco is a place where tipping is very much in demand. We therefore advise you to carry some cash with you at all times.
Why recommend a trip to the Agafay Desert?
The Agafay Desert is one of Morocco's main attractions. If you're planning a visit to the country, don't miss out. If you're a fan of adventure tours, you can opt for a night camping tour, an ideal opportunity to witness sunset and sunrise, two privileged moments to see the best profiles of the desert.
What's more, being so close to Marrakech, one of Morocco's main cities, you'll be able to get there quickly and easily. At least as far as the entrance to the desert, where you can climb aboard an all-terrain vehicle, quad bike or adapted car to get to the bivouac.
What are the advantages of a guided tour over a self-guided tour of the Agafay desert?
Agafay is one of the steepest places in the Maghreb, making it very difficult to access without the assistance of an expert guide. Excursions that include visits to the desert are generally led by guides who know the site and can advise visitors, even in the event of conflict.
On the other hand, on a guided tour, you can relax and forget about some very important details as you enter the deon, such as emergency equipment, transfers in appropriate vehicles, safety equipment and provisions. Indeed, although the tours are short, without a guide you could run into problems that could delay your return to Marrakech.
In conclusion, the best way to make the most of the experience and leave in the best possible conditions is to take a guided tour.
