Riding a camel over the endless dunes of the Sahara and camping under the stars: This was the quintessential Moroccan adventure we anticipated long before booking the tickets.
Ride off into the distance in Morocco, on a camel of course | Photo by GettingStamped.com
Our Saharan adventure started in the late afternoon from the desert town of Merzouga located a little over 5 miles from the Algerian border. Here we met our Berber guides (Berbers are pre-Arab North Africans) and picked a suitable camel for the trip. For first-time camel riders, these ancient desert 4×4’s aren’t as graceful as they might seem. We swung our legs over the camel’s back and held on tight as he flung us forward and back and stood up from the sand. In stride, camels still aren’t the most graceful, moving both legs on one side together in a lumbering motion. What they lack in style points they make up for in their awkwardly adorable faces and highly adapted feet to handle the shifting desert sand.
Get your own famous camel shadow shot in Morocco | Photo by GettingStamped.com
As the sun started its descent toward the horizon we were high on the ridge of a massive dune surrounded by nothing but sand. The soft light at the end of the day made for perfect long camel shadows, which are impossible to resist snapping a picture of. In a single file line, our caravan quietly lumbered along the dune field as the sun slowly sank into the distant sands. As the sun hit the horizon, the skies exploded in pinks and oranges swirling around the clear blue desert skies.
Moroccan 4×4’s at sunset | Photo by GettingStamped.com
Sleep in traditional Berber tents in the Sahara Desert | Photo by GettingStamped.com
The fire and music took us until the moon was high in the sky and everyone was ready for some rest. We slept as the Berber people of this area have for centuries, in semi-permanent tents set on the desert sand. Berber tents are made of a thick woven material and were much warmer than expected, which was good because the desert air was quite cold. Inside, we found Berber rugs covering the floor and a simple, but comfortable bed for the night. We felt a million miles from everything, somewhere truly far away.
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Desert sunsets and sunrises are out of this world | Photo by GettingStamped.com
We were out of bed the next morning before the sun, but the early alarm clock was worth it. With the help of a few flashlights we were again aboard our camels as the first rays softly lit the skies. The ride out of the desert was even more colorful than the night before. The sunrise ride through the Sahara was the icing on the cake of an already amazing trip into the Moroccan desert.
The only way to get around in the desert | Photo by GettingStamped.com
Planning your trip
Most international trips will start in the major tourist hub of Marrakech. The chaotic medina of Marrakech is worth a visit, but can be quite overwhelming. Most people find three days to be about the right amount of time in the city. While there, you can find many Sahara Desert tour operators, but be sure to choose wisely because all tours are not the equal. Tours can be booked online as well, but make sure the reviews are rock solid.
Camels don’t offer the smoothest ride, but they’re the only way to get around | Photo by GettingStamped.com
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What kind of vehicle will bring you to the desert and how many people will be on the tour? On the budget end of the tours, the operators will pack in as many people as they can into small vans to make the trip to the desert towns. The road to the desert from Marrakech goes over the High Atlas Mountains and can be dangerous with an irresponsible driver.
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What type of tents or accommodation will you be sleeping in while in the desert? The quality of the tents and facilities vary greatly and can be extremely basic. Choose one that fits your comfort level and budget.
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How far into the desert is the camp site? Some operators only take you a very short distance into the desert and it can detract from your experience if you only go over one sand dune on the camels.
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