Amongst the many questions about desert tours in Morocco, one of the most common concerns is “can I book a desert trip in marrakech two days before my trip?” While this is not strictly true, it does mean you’ll need to have your desert tour booked well in advance.

The first question to ask yourself is what type of trip you’re looking to book. Are you going on a multi-day tour that includes a stay at a desert nomad’s camp? Or are you going on a day trip to the Sahara, the Grand Atlas Mountains or any of the other major attractions in this part of the country? If you’re a budget traveler, you’ll be best served by the latter.

If you’re looking for a more laid back affair, the Ourika Valley should be on your list. This quaint valley is a short drive from Marrakech and contains a waterfall, some charming villages and a number of argan oil collectives.

While you’re here, you should also check out the Ouzoud Falls, which is located in the foothills of the high Atlas Mountains. The falls cascade from a height of 110 meters and are a highlight of any trip to the Sahara.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can take a trip to the Zagora desert. This isn’t as beautiful as Merzouga but it does the trick.

Finally, you can’t really go wrong with a visit to the Tizi n’Tichka pass. This pass is 2,260 meters above sea level and offers some great views of the Atlas mountains.