Private guided tour · Morocco
New Year's Sahara Escape
Ring in the New Year under a canopy of stars in the Moroccan Sahara. From the red-washed walls of Marrakech to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi — an unforgettable private celebration.
Private New Year's Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara
Celebrate New Year's Eve like never before on GoFez Travel's exclusive Private New Year's Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara. Leave the red-washed city behind and journey deep into southern Morocco, crossing the snow-dusted High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass. Explore the legendary UNESCO ksar of Aït Benhaddou, walk the palm groves of the Dades Valley, and ride a camel into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun sets on the old year. Your New Year's Eve celebration unfolds in a luxury desert camp beneath a canopy of stars — complete with a festive Berber dinner, live music around the campfire, and the silence of the Sahara at midnight. Wake to your first sunrise of the new year over the dunes before returning to Marrakech. This is not just a tour; it is a once-in-a-lifetime way to begin the year.
Trip Highlights
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New Year's Eve in the Sahara — celebrate beneath a canopy of stars with a festive Berber dinner, live drumming and champagne in a luxury desert camp
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First sunrise of the year — welcome January 1st with a breathtaking Sahara sunrise over the golden Erg Chebbi dunes
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Tizi n'Tichka Pass — cross the High Atlas at 2,260 m with winter snow-dusted peaks and dramatic mountain vistas
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Aït Benhaddou — the iconic fortified ksar, UNESCO World Heritage site and backdrop to Gladiator and Game of Thrones
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Ouarzazate — Morocco's Hollywood: explore the red ramparts, souks and famous film studios of the "Door of the Desert"
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Kelaa M'Gouna — pass through the fragrant Rose Valley, home of Morocco's annual Rose Festival and Damascus rose distillation
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Dades Gorge — overnight in a kasbah hotel nestled among dramatic cliffs and the winding "Monkey Fingers" rock formations
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Camel trek at sunset — ride into the golden dunes as the last light of the year fades over the Sahara
Your Route
A 900 km journey from Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara and back — the ultimate New Year's road trip.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Gorge
Your private driver collects you early from your riad in Marrakech — we like to get an early start to make the most of every day. We climb the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) through the High Atlas Mountains, where winter often dusts the peaks with snow. The winding road offers breathtaking vistas at every turn. Descend to the legendary ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress and filming location for Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Game of Thrones. Continue to Ouarzazate, the "Door of the Desert" and Morocco's Hollywood, where you will have free time to explore the majestic red ramparts and souks. We then drive through Kelaa M'Gouna, the fragrant Rose Valley, before arriving at Dades Gorge for your overnight in a charming kasbah hotel nestled among dramatic cliffs.
Dades Gorge → Todra Gorge → Merzouga — Luxury Desert Camp
After breakfast, we drive through the spectacular Todra area and continue east toward the Sahara. As the afternoon light turns golden, we reach Merzouga, the gateway to the desert. Mount your camel for a trek into the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes, watching the last sunset of the year paint the sands in shades of amber and violet. Arrive at your luxury desert camp where your New Year's Eve celebration awaits. Enjoy a festive Berber dinner with traditional music and drumming around the campfire. As midnight approaches, raise a glass beneath the clearest starry sky you have ever seen, surrounded by the absolute silence of the Sahara. Sleep in a private tent with proper beds, hot showers and high-quality bedding. This is a New Year's Eve you will never forget.
Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → Agdz → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Wake before dawn for the most memorable sunrise of your life — the first sunrise of the new year over the golden Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast and a shower at the camp, we begin the return journey to Marrakech. Drive through the ancient trading town of Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, and the fossil beds of Alnif. Continue through the Draa Valley palm groves via Agdz before stopping again in Ouarzazate for lunch. Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass one final time as the afternoon light bathes the Atlas Mountains in gold. Arrive in Marrakech by early evening, where your driver drops you at your riad or the airport. End of our services — and the beginning of an extraordinary year.
Tour Overview
- Dec 30: Marrakech → High Atlas → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Gorge
- Dec 31: Dades Gorge → Todra → Merzouga — New Year's Eve luxury desert camp
- Jan 1: Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Frequently Asked Questions
This tour is specifically timed so that New Year's Eve (December 31st) is spent in a luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi. We include a festive Berber dinner, live music, and a celebratory atmosphere beneath the stars. You will also witness the first sunrise of January 1st over the Sahara dunes.
The desert camp provides a festive dinner and traditional entertainment. Alcohol is not typically served in Berber camps, but we can arrange for champagne or wine to be brought to the camp for your private celebration if requested in advance.
Days are pleasantly mild and sunny (15–20°C), perfect for sightseeing and camel trekking. Nights in the desert can be cold (0–5°C), but our luxury camp provides warm bedding, proper blankets and heating upon request. We recommend bringing warm layers for the evening and early morning.
Yes. Our experienced drivers are familiar with winter conditions on the Tizi n'Tichka pass. The road is well-maintained and we use comfortable, heated 4x4 vehicles. In the rare event of heavy snow, we may take an alternative route — your safety is always our priority.
Absolutely. Many guests choose to add an extra night in Marrakech before or after the tour, or extend their stay in the desert. Contact us and we will tailor the itinerary to your preferences.