Here is what is included Morocco desert tour bookings give you on our private trips: the transport, the driver, the camel ride into the dunes, the nights along the way and most of your meals. What is usually not included is lunches, drinks, tips and entrance fees to a few monuments. Below is the honest breakdown so there are no surprises when you get the bill.
Transport and driver
This is the core of the trip. You get a private, air-conditioned vehicle, either a 4×4 or a minivan depending on group size, and an experienced local driver who stays with you the whole time. Because it is private, you set the pace: stop for photos on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, pull over for mint tea, linger at Ait Ben Haddou. Fuel and the driver’s own costs are covered. On a three-day Merzouga run that driving is real, roughly nine to ten hours each way spread over the days, so a comfortable car matters.
Accommodation and the desert camp
On a standard three-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour you sleep one night in a guesthouse or small hotel along the route, often around Skoura or the Dades, and one night in a desert camp on the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Camps range from simple tents with shared facilities to more comfortable ones with private bathrooms and proper beds. The standard you pick changes the price, so tell us what you want and we will match the camp to it.
The camel ride and desert nights
The camel ride into the dunes is included. You ride out in the late afternoon to reach camp for sunset, then a camel brings you back the next morning after sunrise. It is short, usually under an hour each way, and it is more about the experience than the distance. Dinner at the camp, often a tagine with music around the fire, and breakfast the next morning come with it.
Meals: what’s in and what’s not
On most of our desert tours, breakfasts and dinners are included, because those are the meals you eat where you sleep. Lunches are usually left out on purpose. It gives you the freedom to stop where you like along the road, and lunch spots in places like Ouarzazate or Todra are cheap and good. Budget a little cash for those and for drinks.
Included vs not included
| Usually included | Usually not included |
|---|---|
| Private 4×4 or minivan and fuel | Lunches along the way |
| Experienced local driver | Drinks and bottled water |
| Hotel pick-up and drop-off | Tips for driver and camp staff |
| Camel ride to and from camp | Some monument entrance fees |
| One night hotel, one night camp | Personal travel insurance |
| Breakfasts and dinners | Optional quad or sandboarding add-ons |
Things people forget to budget for
A few costs catch people out. Tips are expected here for the driver and the camp team, and while there is no fixed rule, having small notes ready makes it easier. Entrance fees to a couple of kasbahs are modest but real. If you want extras like a quad bike session at Merzouga or a guide to walk you through Ait Ben Haddou, those are usually paid on the spot. Carry some cash, because card machines are rare once you leave the city.
It’s also worth checking what happens with things that aren’t strictly an activity. Bottled water in the car is sometimes provided and sometimes not; a small point, but on a hot three-day drive it adds up. Airport transfers on the day you arrive or leave are usually separate from the tour itself. And if your group has a mix of diets, tell us in advance, because vegetarian and other meals at the camps are easy to arrange when the kitchen knows ahead of time. None of this is expensive, but knowing it upfront keeps the trip smooth.
Every operator draws the line slightly differently, so always read the specific inclusions before you book. Our Morocco desert guide walks through the routes and camp options in more detail if you want the wider picture first.
What changes the price
Two people paying different amounts for what looks like the same tour usually comes down to a few things. The biggest is the camp standard, from a simple shared-facility tent to a comfortable one with a private bathroom and a real bed. Next is group size: because the vehicle and driver are a fixed cost, splitting them between four people is cheaper per head than between two. The season matters too, with the busy months of spring and autumn costing more than quieter periods. Finally, the length and route: a three-day Merzouga run covers far more ground and fuel than a two-day Zagora loop.
When you compare quotes from different operators, don’t just look at the number. Check what sits in the included column. A cheaper price with lunches, tips and a basic camp left out can end up costing more than a fuller package once you add everything back. Ask for the inclusions in writing so you’re comparing like with like.
Frequently asked questions
Are meals really included?
Breakfasts and dinners usually are, since you eat them where you sleep. Lunches are normally on you, which also lets you choose your own stops.
Is the camel ride optional?
Yes. It is included, but if you would rather walk into the dunes or ride in a 4×4 to camp, just tell your driver.
Do I need to tip?
Tips are not included and are customary. Bring small notes for your driver and the camp staff.
Can I upgrade the camp?
Yes. Camps range from basic to comfortable with private bathrooms and better dinners. Prices change with the standard, so ask us for a quote at the level you want, and we’ll tell you exactly what that camp includes before you commit to anything.
Ready to plan it? See exactly what each route covers in our Morocco desert guide, then message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size for a full inclusions list and a quote.