Trip overview
Less than an hour from Marrakech: a camel ride through the stony hills of Agafay, sunset with the Atlas behind and a traditional dinner with music by the fire.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMarrakech
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–16 people
- DifficultyEasy
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- Less than an hour from Marrakech
- Dromedary ride through the Agafay hills
- Sunset with views of the High Atlas
- Traditional dinner at a camp with music
- Starry sky away from the city lights
- Romantic dinner option for couples
- Short drive, a good choice with children
What the evening is like
Agafay is about 40 km from Marrakech, less than an hour by car.
What Agafay is
It's the closest thing to the desert if you don't have time to get to Merzouga, but it has no dunes: it's a plateau of stony hills and ochre earth that looks almost lunar. What makes it worth going is the colours, the silence and the Atlas, snow-capped in winter. It runs all year. For big dunes, look at our desert tours.
Before you book
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Afternoon: leaving Marrakech and camel ride
We pick you up from your riad or hotel in mid-afternoon; the time depends on the season, so that we arrive before sunset. In about 45 minutes the city is behind you and the landscape turns to ochre hills and stone.
At the camp you're welcomed with mint tea. Then you set off on a dromedary with a camel man, for about 30 to 45 minutes through the hills, stopping for photos and views of the Atlas. If anyone would rather not ride, they can walk alongside the caravan or wait at the camp with another tea.
Day 1: Sunset and dinner under the stars
The sun goes down over the Agafay hills and the sky changes colour within minutes. You watch it from a viewpoint at the camp or from a nearby ridge.
As night falls, dinner is served: Moroccan salads, tagine or couscous, seasonal fruit and tea. There's music by the fire and time to look at the stars. On the romantic option your table is set apart from the others, with candles and lanterns; if you're celebrating something, let us know. At around 21:30 or 22:00 we head back and drop you at your accommodation.
What's included
Included (6)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- Welcome tea
- Dromedary ride of 30 to 45 minutes
- Traditional dinner at the camp (no alcoholic drinks)
- Traditional music by the fire
- Romantic dinner at a table set apart (that option only)
Not included (4)
- Extra or alcoholic drinks
- Optional activities such as quad biking in Agafay
- Tips (optional)
- Travel insurance
Important information (5)
- Agafay is a stony desert, not sand dunes like Merzouga.
- Bring something warm for the evening: the temperature drops a lot after sunset.
- Tell us about special diets or allergies when you book.
- The departure time changes with the season so we arrive before sunset.
- You can also spend the night at a camp in Agafay; ask us.
Prices per person
Shared
Shared transfer, camel ride, sunset and dinner at a camp
Private
Private vehicle and timings to suit you (price per person, based on 2)
Private with romantic dinner
Private vehicle, a table set apart and a special dinner for two
Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
Does Agafay have dunes like the Sahara?
No. Agafay is a stony desert with hills of ochre earth and views of the Atlas, very pretty at sunset, but without big sand dunes. If you want real dunes, you need to travel to Merzouga or Zagora, several hours from Marrakech. Agafay is the best option for an afternoon without long drives.
Is it a good trip to do with children?
Yes, very. The drive from Marrakech is under an hour, the camel ride is gentle and short, and children love the fire and the music. We'd just recommend bringing something warm for the evening and telling us their ages so we can adjust the length of the ride.
Can we stay the night in Agafay?
Yes. There are camps in Agafay with comfortable tents and some luxury ones with private bathrooms. If you want to turn the afternoon into a night in the desert, we'll set up the option with accommodation and a return to Marrakech the next morning after breakfast.
