From Marrakech to the Sahara: Our Epic Desert Adventure with My Best Friend
There’s something truly magical about getting out of the busy city of Marrakech, and deep into the heart of the country – all the way to the immense, silent Sahara Desert notorious for eating cars. My best friend and I embarked on this epic trip and with every mile we drew closer to an adventure that we will never forget.
Leaving the Red City
Like nearby Marrakech, it’s an assault on the senses — a riot of colours, sounds and smells, from the bustle of Jemaa el-Fnaa square to the heady spices in the markets. But as much as we cherished that city energy, we longed for something different: the quiet, infinite beauty of the desert.
So one not-too-early morning, we got in the car, prepared to swap the maze of city streets for winding mountain passes and golden dunes.
Over the Atlas and Meeting a Berber Elder
We drove out of Marrakech through beautiful Atlas Mountains. The landscape was stunning — jagged peaks peppered with snow, roads snaking along cliff edges, valleys punctuated by small Berber villages.
At one of our stops we took a stroll into a small Berber village and met an old man waiting beside the road. He spoke some French and welcomed us, “Hi, where are you going?” When we mentioned we were going to Ouarzazate, he smiled and nodded and recommended a stop at Aït Ben Haddou, a nearby ancient ksar where the earthen buildings are as compelling as the rich history of the place.
His friendly tip was a precious gift from the mountains, bestowed upon us by a secret treasure the mountains had given to us.
Ouarzazate: Porte du Sud, portail du désert
We passed through Ouarzazate, whose famous film studios and desert landscapes have led some to compare it to a Hollywood of Morocco, after many hot hours on the road. It was the ideal spot for us to stretch our legs, have some food and to see the Kasbahs that made this town so different.
When they stopped in a sleepy, peaceful town that served as a gateway to the Atlas Mountains and the desert beyond, it was a sure sign we were nearing the Sahara.
The Stunning Dades Valley
Our adventure, after leaving Ouarzazate, was through the most stunning Dades Valley, rising red rock formations and massive gorges as far as on can see. We paused often to snap pictures and take in the otherworldly landscape.
Being driven through it felt like entering another world — one in which nature’s raw beauty is king.
Into the Desert
Cast-out the valley once more the countryside changed. Rolling hills flattened into rocky plateaus, which slowly became the golden dunes of the Sahara for which it is so famous. The breeze thawed, and the horizon opened.
Late in the afternoon, we reached Merzouga, the gateway to the desert. Our hotel faced the dunes, lit like, well, the way they look at sunset. We had hardly even had time to put down our bags before we were gearing up for the adventure we had been dreaming of — camel riding through the Sahara and camping under the star-filled sky.
Our camel trek in the Sahara
For us city folks, mounting the camels was thrilling and slightly terrifying at the same time. Clad in Berber scarves and sipping mint tea, and accompanied by expert guides, we struck out over the dunes. The silence was overwhelming — except for the soft footfalls of our camels and an occasional chuckle between my friend and me.
As the sun went down, the sky turned riotous with color, and the desert playground of shadow and light. Riding through the sand dunes with my best friend beside me felt like walking into a dream.
Night Under the Stars
As we arrived at our desert camp, we immediately knew that something was different on this night. We indulged traditional dishes like delicious Tagine, warmed our cold bodies by the fire and danced along Berber drum beats under millions of stars.
We opted to sleep outside, bundled in blankets, and let the desert’s silence and wide open spaces put us to sleep. It was humble, peaceful – and absolutely unforgettable.
Mulling the Journey Back
Before dawn, we rose, groaning with fatigue, that we might be loaded onto the backs of camels again. There was a desert fog that veiled the sunrise, but that peaceful Sahara morning was the ideal goodbye!
On the way back to Marrakech my friend and I were quiet, each with our own thoughts – thankful for the trip, the scenery, and most importantly, for the opportunity to experience this amazing adventure together.
If you happen to be visiting Morocco, do not miss the opportunity to get out of town and see the Sahara for yourself. Trust me — the trek from Marrakech to the desert, via the Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate and Dades Valley, with a stop at Aït Ben Haddou, is as memorable as the destination.