Contenido del div

Safe & Responsible Travel - See our Covid-19 Hub for Details

Morocco: New Year’s Eve – Sunrise in the Sahara

Morocco is a sacred place and one of our top destinations. Join us for a very special experience: the chance to celebrate and welcome a new year, as the first light of the new year hits the golden sands of the Sahara Desert.

Set your intentions for a prosperous future, write your goals into the eternal sands, and return home feeling restored and excited about the year ahead. There are very few experiences quite like camping in the Sahara, and we bring it to you on this very special New Year’s Eve with luxury and style!

This journey begins and ends in Marrakesh.

This experience is extremely limited to 6 guests for the 2023 New Year. Save your spot now!

Check dates and availability
Trip Dates Availability Price Payment
December 29, 2023 - Jan 5, 2024 0 spots left $4499 USD SOLD OUT
Reserve this trip with a non-refundable deposit, or pay in full. Make payments at your leisure until 60 days before departure.

Trip Highlights

  • Ride a camel through the sand dunes of the Sahara at sunset
  • Watch the year's first light touch the golden sands of the Sahara
  • Shop the souks of Marrakech
  • Support local women at Moroccan cooperatives
  • Spend a magical New Year's Eve in Morocco at a luxury desert tent in the Sahara
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech December 29th

It’s arrival day! We will meet you today at the Marrakech airport after your arrival. We know you’re probably pretty tired, so we’ll transfer you to your riad, where you can relax. Few cities are as dynamic as Marrakech, and your first introduction to it comes just in being here! Don’t worry, we’ll be doing a full tour after we return from the Sahara.

Today, our gals are arriving at different times, so if you have an early flight you will have much of the day to yourself to relax.

Meals: D

Day 2: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Dades Valley December 30th

Today after breakfast, we will start your journey southward to Dades valley via Tizi n’Tichka pass. Along the way, we’ll visit the Berber village of Ait Benhaddou, established in the 11th century. Its position on the main route (Marrakech to the Sahara) was an ideal stop for traders carrying salt across the desert and returning with goods such as gold and ivory.

After lunch you will continue to Dades valley through the Rose valley. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Dades valley - Todra gorges - Sahara Desert December 31st

After breakfast, we’ll depart in the morning to the Sahara desert via the Todra Gorge, where you will take a walk to explore these magnificent and narrow gorges.

After lunch, continue to Erfoud city for a visit to a local fossil craft workshop.

Lastly, we’ll visit the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you will ride camels at sunset and spend the evening in a desert camp. Tonight, we’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Moroccan dinner, followed by a party with drumming and dancing. It will be an unforgettable experience, starting the new year in the Sahara desert.

Overnight in a private tent.

Note: Sleeping in the Sahara is a magical experience. Our camp will have facilities for using the bathroom, but you won’t have a full shower until we return. It also gets cold at night, so pack warmly!

Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Merzouga – Khamlia – Rissani - Merzouga January 1st

It’s a new year! 

Celebrate by watching the first light of the new year dance across the golden sands of the Sahara desert. After enjoying the sunrise and having breakfast, you will start an amazing trip alongside the dunes while passing by the oasis to stop and see an old system of irrigation that local people still use to irrigate their fields in the oasis.

We’ll continue to Khamlia village to listen to Gnaoua musicians, then take a short drive to Rissani for a visit to the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif; the founder of the Alaouite dynasty, and experience the authentic local market.

Lunch in Rissani and return to the hotel where you will spend the night.

Meals: B, L, D

sahara desert womens tour
Day 5: Rissani – Ouerzazate January 2nd

After breakfast, we’ll start our return journey back to Marrakech. Our drive today will take us through Agdez and Draa valley junction where we’ll head north to Ouarzazate via the Atlas Mountains. Upon arrival in Ouarzazate, you’ll have dinner and spend the night in Riad.

Meals: B, L, D

damesly sahara desert tour morocco
Day 6: Querzazate to Marrakesh January 3rd

After breakfast today, you’ll have time to explore Ouarzazate, which is known as Africa’s Hollywood. We’ll be passing by Ait Ben Haddou once again, so if you didn’t get the photos or souvenirs you wanted, now’s your chance!

Finally, we’ll take the Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the Atlas Mountains to return back to Marrakech with a stop in the mountains for lunch. Dinner and overnight stay will be in our hotel in Marrakech, which we will reach by 6 p.m.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 7: Marrakesh Tour January 4th

Today you will have a guided tour of Marrakech Medina including Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Minaret, The Medina, Souks, and Majorelle garden. In the afternoon we will visit the dynamic Djemaa el Fna square where you will get to see the famous snake charmers, singers, acrobats, dancers, and storytellers that frequent the area. Overnight at the same riad.

Day 8: Departures January 5th

It’s departure day, and we’re bummed. But we saw and did so much! After breakfast at the riad/hotel, we will transfer you to the airport, depending on your flight departure.

After our trip, we will set up a group chat to keep in touch, share photos, and continue to grow these awesome friendships we formed.

Meals: B

Cost includes:

  • Airport pickup and dropoff
  • Accommodation (shared, in luxury properties throughout Morocco)
  • All entrance fees to attractions
  • Overnight in Sahara Desert Berber Camp
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Private driver and van
  • All transportation
  • Most meals

Does not include:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals + alcohol not listed
  • Gratuities

What to pack:

  • Camera
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable, close toed shoes
  • Linens for breathable wear
  • Comfortable clothes for long car rides
  • Scarf for modesty
  • Sense of adventure
  • Check out our Packing List for more ideas!

Additional Info:

Lodging Where do we stay?

We will stay in a variety of 4-star riads throughout Morocco.

Tours are priced for shared accommodation, meaning you will share your room with one of our other gals (or a friend, if you’re traveling together).

Solo upgrades are extremely limited on this trip, but if you’d like your own space, shoot us an email and we will try our best to accommodate you.

Money How much money should I bring?

Mostly everything is included (yay!), but you’ll need to cover your own alcohol, shopping, meals not listed, and gratuities. We estimate $300 should cover it, but that’s totally your call!

Most larger places will accept credit cards, but it’s great to have some local currency on hand for the smaller markets and gratuities. ATMs are widely available throughout the country. Just remember to let your bank(s) know where/when you’ll be traveling!

Flights Where do I fly into?

You’ll fly into Marrakech airport (RAK). Arrive anytime on the arrival day, and depart anytime on the departure day (early afternoon departures are always the best idea).

Want us to advise on flights? Email us at info@damesly.com

Important Docs What documents are required?

-Passport

-Travel Insurance

-Health Form

Damesly Pro Tip: Use the sherpa website to easily determine which requirements apply to you.

Trip Minimum How many people are needed for this trip to run?

This trip will run with a minimum of 4 (and max of 6) participants.

Trip Payments How do trip payments work?

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking, or you can opt to pay for the trip in full. 

Once we receive your deposit, our accounting team will set you up with a personal account so you can pay the balance of your trip at your leisure.

Payments are due in full 60 days prior to departure.

Insurance Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. Damesly requires all guests to have travel insurance, and often the countries we visit do as well. We highly recommend opting for the “cancel-for-any-reason” insurance option, but note that this typically needs to be acquired within 21 days of initial booking (i.e. when you submit your deposit).

Weather What will the weather be like?

Expect the weather to be generally warm and mild, with average daily temps in the mid 60s and nightly temps in the high 40s. Note, though, it can be much cooler in the Sahara, especially at night, so pack warm layers!

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Morocco: New Year’s Eve – Sunrise in the Sahara”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.