The question of what is included in a Morocco desert tour is worth asking carefully before you book. Tour listings use different language and bundle different things, which makes direct price comparisons difficult. This guide covers exactly what Pro Morocco Tours includes as standard, what is not covered, and what you should budget for beyond the tour price.
Standard inclusionsWhat Is Included in Every Pro Morocco Tours Desert Tour
- Private air-conditioned vehicle — a comfortable 4×4 or minivan depending on group size, for the full duration of the tour. Air-conditioning throughout, clean, well-maintained.
- English-speaking driver-guide — your driver is also your guide for the full tour. Hassan or one of his team. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic. Available throughout the day for questions, context, and recommendations.
- Pick-up from your accommodation — door-to-door collection from your Marrakech riad or hotel on Day 1. Airport pick-up also available at no extra charge if you have just landed.
- Drop-off at your accommodation or airport — on the final day of the tour, drop-off at your riad, hotel, or Marrakech Menara Airport.
- All accommodation for every night — guesthouses and riads along the route (Dades Valley, Ouarzazate on 4-day tours) and the desert camp at Erg Chebbi. Accommodation tier depends on which option you choose at booking.
- Breakfast every morning — included at every property. A proper Moroccan breakfast: bread, msemen flatbread, amlou (almond paste), honey, local olive oil, and mint tea.
- Dinner at the desert camp — included on the night you stay at Erg Chebbi. Typically a tagine or couscous, served under the stars or in the camp dining area.
- Sunset camel trek — included on every tour. Typically 45 minutes to 1 hour riding into the dune field with a guide. The camel handler accompanies the group.
- Tuareg turban for the dune trek — your guide ties a traditional turban for each guest before the camel trek. Keeps sand off your face and neck. Keeps the experience honest.
- Gnawa music at the desert camp — musicians play around the fire after dinner. Included as part of the camp experience on every tour.
- All road tolls and fuel — the full journey from Marrakech to Merzouga and back covers over 1,000 km. All fuel and toll costs are included in the tour price.
What you pay for separately
What Is Not Included in a Morocco Desert Tour
- Flights to and from Morocco — the tour price covers ground transport only. International flights are arranged separately.
- Lunches — lunch is not included on any day of the tour. Your guide will stop at a good local restaurant at a suitable time and place. Expect to pay 80 to 150 MAD (approximately 8 to 15 EUR) per person for a sit-down lunch.
- Dinners on non-desert nights — dinner is included only at the desert camp. On all other nights, your guide will recommend a restaurant near your accommodation. Budget 100 to 200 MAD per person.
- Entry fees — Ait Ben Haddou entry is approximately 10 MAD. Todra Gorge has no entry fee but parking costs a few dirhams. Some riads and historic sites have small entry fees. Total entry costs across a 3-day tour are typically under 50 MAD per person.
- Personal travel insurance — strongly recommended. Morocco is a safe destination but travel insurance covering medical, cancellation, and lost luggage is worth having.
- Tips for your driver and camp staff — tipping is customary in Morocco and appreciated. A common guideline is 50 to 100 MAD per person per day for your driver-guide, and a similar amount for the desert camp team. Entirely at your discretion.
- Optional activities — sandboarding, quad biking, and ATV tours at Erg Chebbi are available to book at the camp but are not included in the tour price. Prices at the camp are typically 200 to 400 MAD per activity.
- Hammam visits — a traditional Moroccan steam bath, available in most towns along the route. Entry typically 15 to 50 MAD for a public hammam; private hammam at a riad costs more.
- Souvenir shopping — markets at Ait Ben Haddou, Rissani, and along the Draa Valley. Your guide can advise on fair prices and steer you away from tourist markup. Budget whatever you are comfortable spending.
Budget planning
What to Budget Beyond the Tour Price
The tour price covers the major costs. What follows is a realistic budget for additional spending on a standard 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour:
| Item | Details | Est. Cost per person |
|---|---|---|
| Lunches (3 days) | Local restaurant, mid-range, 3 meals | 25 to 45 EUR |
| Dinners on non-desert nights (2 nights) | Restaurant near accommodation | 20 to 40 EUR |
| Entry fees total | Ait Ben Haddou + misc | 2 to 5 EUR |
| Tips — driver-guide (3 days) | Guideline 5 to 10 EUR/day | 15 to 30 EUR |
| Tips — desert camp staff | Per night at camp | 5 to 10 EUR |
| Optional activities | Sandboarding, quad biking | 20 to 40 EUR per activity |
| Souvenirs and shopping | Entirely personal | Variable |
| Drinks and snacks | Water, coffee, market food | 10 to 20 EUR |
Total additional budget: approximately 80 to 180 EUR per person for a 3-day tour, depending on dining choices, activities, and shopping. Most guests spend toward the lower end of this range.
Accommodation Tiers: What the Options Actually Mean
Pro Morocco Tours offers three accommodation tiers across every tour: Standard, Mid-Range, and Premium. The tour price varies by tier, not because the route or guide changes — those stay the same — but because the overnight stops use different properties.
Standard tier uses well-rated, comfortable guesthouses and a good desert camp. Mid-range uses riads with more character and a better-equipped camp. Premium uses the highest-rated properties on each route, including luxury desert camps with en-suite facilities, private tent areas, and upgraded dining. The camel trek, the route, the guide, and the desert experience itself are identical across all three tiers.
Get a Full Quote for Your Desert Tour
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