Less than an hour from Marrakech, a completely different landscape

The Agafay Desert isn't a sea of golden dunes: it's a vast, stony plateau with a lunar feel, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. It's close enough to reach in a day, which is why so many travellers add a desert experience to a Marrakech stay. The hard part is choosing, because there's a lot to do. Here's how we'd approach it.

Quad and buggy: for a shot of adrenaline

The open, rocky terrain of Agafay is ideal for chasing a few thrills. On a quad or in a buggy, as you prefer, you can live the adventure alone or with others, across the landscapes of the Agafay Desert, with breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains.

The camel ride: for a gentler pace

For the little ones, or if you're not a fan of speed, a camel ride is a slower, calmer way to discover the desert, at the pace of the Bedouins of old. It suits families, couples and anyone who wants to take in the scenery without the noise of an engine.

Pool day or dinner show: a full day or evening in Agafay

If you choose the day pass, you spend the day at the camp: you can stroll around, relax by the pool, have lunch and enjoy the sun, until late afternoon.

Depending on the camp, you can also arrive in the afternoon to enjoy the pool, then stay for dinner and the show. As night falls, around a fire, you have dinner while different performers take the stage in front of you: Gnawa musicians, singers, dancers and fire breathers. That's the case, for example, at Le Bédouin: pool access from 3 p.m., then a Moroccan dinner buffet, Gnawa music, oriental dance and a fire show.

And if you feel like staying longer, most camps also let you spend the night. You sleep under the stars and wake up to sunrise over the desert, for a truly magical moment.

Sunset: our favourite moment of the day

The light changes everything. As the sun goes down, the stony plateau turns orange and pink and, in summer, the temperature becomes milder. Whether you chose the quad, the buggy, the camel ride or a day at the camp, the end of the afternoon has a splendid show in store. If we had to recommend one moment of the day, this would be it.

And depending on the season?

In spring and autumn, the desert is pleasant all day. In summer, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and keep the hottest hours for the pool. In winter, days are mild but evenings can be chilly: bring an extra layer. Whatever the season, wear closed shoes for the activities (not needed if you're staying at the camp) and remember a scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen.

How to choose: find your profile

• You want adrenaline: choose a quad or buggy ride.
• You're a couple: sunset followed by a dinner show. It's our most romantic option.
• You're travelling with children: a camel ride and a dinner show at one of the camps, for a relaxed pace and a family atmosphere.
• You're with friends: it depends on your group. The more adventurous will head for the quad or buggy, the more laid-back for the pool day, and the dinner show brings everyone together at the end of the day.

Still not sure? We can help you choose

Tell us who's travelling and how much time you have: we'll suggest the experiences that best suit your group. We can also adjust the activities to your wishes and your pace, so the day feels like yours.