Experiences in the Agafay Desert

Arranged for you, never imposed. Most guests choose one a day, at either end of it.

Line of camels and riders crossing the Agafay Desert against an orange sunset sky

The plateau is not a theme park and we would rather you did not treat it as one. The activities below are worth doing, but the desert does most of its work when nothing is scheduled. Two in a day is one too many.

Everything here is added to a stay, a day pass or a night pass, and priced separately.

What you can do

Three riders in blue on camels at dusk, their guide leading them across the plateau

Camel ride

Along the ridge above the canyons. Slow, and quieter than people expect. The best hour is the one before sunset, when the plateau turns.

  • Length45 to 60 minutes
  • Best timeFirst light or last light
  • Price €35 per person, 1 hour
Book
Three quad riders on a desert track at sunset, dust rising behind the wheels

Quad biking

Guided, on the tracks east of the camps. A licence is not required. Goggles and helmets are provided, and you will finish covered in dust.

  • Length1 to 2 hours
  • Best timeMorning or late afternoon
  • Price €50 per person, 1 hour
Book

Two-seater buggy

Two-seater, so one person drives and one does not. Faster and further than a quad across the Agafay desert, on the wider circuit.

  • Length1 to 2 hours
  • Best timeMorning or late afternoon
  • Price €110 per buggy, two people, 1 hour
Book

Horse riding in the desert

Along the canyon edge, at walking and trotting pace. Suited to riders with some experience rather than complete beginners.

  • Length1 to 2 hours
  • Best timeEarly morning
  • Price €50 per person, 1 hour
Book
Camels resting on a ridge, silhouetted against an orange sunset sky over the Agafay Desert

Sunset on the ridge

Driven out to a point away from the camp, with tea. No activity, which is the point of it.

  • LengthAbout an hour
  • Best timeLate afternoon
  • Price On request
Book
Open lounge tent with leather poufs, Moroccan lanterns and a musician, facing the desert at dusk

Dinner set apart

A table laid away from the communal area, with its own service. Arranged with notice, for proposals and anniversaries.

  • LengthThe evening
  • Best timeAfter dark
  • Price €55 per person
Book
Hot air balloons rising at sunrise over the plain near Marrakech, the Atlas on the horizon

Hot air balloon at sunrise

Lift off at first light over the plain outside Marrakech, with the Atlas on the horizon. Pick-up from your riad is very early and included.

  • Length40 to 60 minutes in the air, about 3 hours in all
  • Best timeSunrise, all year
  • Price €130 per person
Book
Massage table set with rose petals and oils, facing a window onto the desert hills

Massage in your tent

A therapist comes to the camp and sets up in your tent or on your terrace. Booked at least a day ahead.

  • Length60 to 90 minutes
  • Best timeLate afternoon
  • Price On request
Book

The balloon flight includes

€130 per person

  • Return transfer from Marrakech
  • Safety briefing
  • Welcome tea and coffee
  • Flight of 40 to 60 minutes at sunrise
  • Moroccan breakfast in a nomad tent
  • Personalised flight certificate in Arabic calligraphy

When to do what

  • First lightHorses, camels. Cold, empty, and the best light of the day
  • Late morningQuads and buggies, before the heat builds
  • Middle of the dayNothing. Stay by the pool
  • Hour before sunsetCamels, or the ridge with tea
  • After darkDinner, and the sky
A couple resting beside their quad bikes on a rise, the Atlas foothills fading behind
A rider in a blue turban and tunic on a camel, the plateau stretching out behind
Four quad bikes riding together into the low sun on the Agafay plateau
A guide in a pale robe leading three camels and their riders along a desert track
Quad bikes following a winding desert trail under a golden sky
A camel caravan walking in single file across the Agafay plateau under a wide sky
A couple beside parked quad bikes at the end of a ride on the Agafay plateau

Choosing between them: read our honest guide to what there is to do in Agafay.

Practical questions

How and when do I pay?
Activities are paid in cash on the day, together with the rest of your booking, to the driver. Nothing is charged in advance. Prices are confirmed in writing before you come, so you know the total before you leave Marrakech. Your booking is held on our written confirmation alone.
Do I have to book activities in advance?
Camel rides can usually be arranged on the day. Quads, buggies and horses cannot, because the equipment is shared between camps. Book them with your stay.
Is there an age limit?
It varies by activity and by operator. Camel rides suit most ages. Quads and buggies have a minimum age and a minimum height. Tell us who is coming and we will confirm.
Are the activities included in a stay or a pass?
No. They are priced separately and added to your booking. We quote them before you pay, never afterwards.
What should I wear?
Closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dusty, especially for quads and buggies. Long sleeves help more than they look like they will.