Pickup
Drive to the Agafay desert
We leave Marrakech for the open, rocky landscape of Agafay, about 45 minutes away.
Late afternoon is the best time, as the light softens and the heat drops.
- Hotel transfer
Marrakech Activities
Agafay Camel Ride
Agafay camel ride near Marrakech: cross the open, stony hills of the Agafay desert with the High Atlas on the horizon and silence all around.
- Duration1 – 2 Hours
- DifficultyEasy
- Group SizePrivate
- LocationAgafay Desert
- LanguagesEnglish / Spanish / Italian / French / Portuguese
Overview
Camels, Stone Hills and Mountain Views
From the back of a camel, Agafay feels much bigger than it looks from the road. The caravan follows the lines of the hills at walking pace, and with no trees or buildings to give scale, the pale landscape seems to roll on forever towards the Atlas.
The ride lasts about an hour, led by a cameleer on foot, and can be taken in the morning, in the late afternoon or at sunset, when the stone turns pink and gold. It combines naturally with lunch or dinner in an Agafay camp, or with a quad ride for a livelier half day.
- One camel per person
- High Atlas backdrop
- Lovely at sunset
- Hotel transfers
Detailed programme
Your Agafay Camel Ride, Step by Step
- Duration1 – 2 Hours
- LocationAgafay Desert
- FormatPrivate
- 01 PickupDrive to the Agafay desert
- 02 MeetingMeet the caravan
- 03 The rideOver the stone desert
- 04 BreakTea with a view
Meeting
Meet the caravan
The cameleers help you mount and offer a turban against the sun.
The ride is suitable for all ages. Children usually share a camel with an adult.
- Turban on request
The ride
Over the stone desert
The camels walk along the crests of the hills, with the Atlas peaks behind and silence all around.
There are no dunes in Agafay, but the emptiness and the wide horizon give a real feeling of desert less than an hour from the city.
- About one hour
- Photo stops
Break
Tea with a view
You finish with mint tea at a camp overlooking the desert before driving back to the city.
You can stay on for dinner at the camp or add a quad ride to make an evening of it.
- Mint tea
- Return transfer
This is a private experience, so times and stops can be adjusted to your arrival, your pace and the season.
Ask About This ProgrammeThe experience
What to Expect
- Transfer to AgafayAbout 45 minutes from your hotel in Marrakech.
- Meet the CaravanHelp mounting, and a turban if you would like one.
- Ride the HillsAround an hour across the open landscape.
- Tea & ReturnMint tea with a view before the transfer back.
Why choose this experience
More Than a Camel Ride
There is a reason film crews and photographers come to Agafay. The emptiness and the light do something no city garden can.
Why Choose This Experience- Local and authentic experience
- Private, just your party
- Flexible timing
- Local guides and hosts
- Suitable for families, couples and solo travellers
What’s included
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off
- Camel for each person
- Cameleer leading the caravan
- Turban to wear
- Mint tea
Not included
- Meals
- Tips
Good to know
- Recommended clothingComfortable clothes, closed shoes, sunglasses and a hat or scarf.
- Best timeAll year; sunset is the favourite time. Winter days are clear, with snow on the Atlas.
- Suitable forFamilies, couples, solo travellers (all levels).
- Suitable forAll ages. Young children share a camel with a parent.
Location
Frequent questions
Agafay Camel Ride: Frequently Asked Questions
How is it different from the Palmeraie ride?
The Palmeraie is green and close to the city. Agafay is a bare, open desert with mountain views, a longer drive but a stronger sense of space.
Can we add dinner?
Yes. The sunset package adds quad biking and dinner with a show in a desert camp.
Is it hot?
In summer the middle of the day is very hot, so rides are in the morning or at sunset. In winter bring a jacket for the evening.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. It is arranged for you and the people you travel with, so the timing and pace are yours.
How do I book?
Send us a message on WhatsApp or by email with your date and the number of people. We reply with availability and the price, and nothing is charged for enquiring.
Can it be added to a tour?
Yes. It can be booked on its own or added to any of our private tours that pass through Marrakech.
Plan Your Agafay Camel Ride
What to know before you book your Agafay camel ride, and what else to do nearby.
More Marrakech Activities
Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert is one of 14 private Marrakech activities on our list. Other Marrakech activities include Marrakech Guided Tour (half or full day), Moroccan Cooking Class (3–4 hours), Palmeraie Quad Bike Experience (2–3 hours) and Sunrise Balloon, Berber Breakfast & Certificate (3–4 hours).
Things to Do in Marrakech
The best things to do in Marrakech start with Jemaa el-Fna Square (the beating heart of the medina), Koutoubia Mosque (the 12th-century symbol of the city) and Bahia Palace (painted ceilings and tiled courtyards). Other things to do in Marrakech include Ben Youssef Madrasa, El Badi Palace and The Souks; our Marrakech travel guide covers each one.
Marrakech Excursions
Our Marrakech excursions include Marrakech Guided Tour (half or full day), Moroccan Cooking Class (3–4 hours), Palmeraie Quad Bike Experience (2–3 hours) and Sunrise Balloon, Berber Breakfast & Certificate (3–4 hours). Every one of our Marrakech excursions is private, so the start time and pace are yours.