PRIVATE SAHARA NEW YEAR TOURS · 2027 TO 2028
Start in Casablanca and finish in Marrakech on a private five-day Morocco New Year journey through Rabat, Fes, the Middle Atlas, Merzouga and the High Atlas. Spend New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2027, in the Sahara at Erg Chebbi, with a full day in Merzouga rather than racing to arrive at the last minute. Continue after the celebration via Todra Gorge, Dades and Aït Ben Haddou to Marrakech on 2 January 2028.
Your private New Year experience
From €995 / person
Indicative starting price based on 2 adults travelling together. Shared double or twin accommodation is the pricing basis where overnight stays are included in your quote.
Final price and exact inclusions are confirmed in your personalised quotation, subject to New Year availability, accommodation or venue choice and any selected extras. This is a guide price, not a confirmed bookable offer.
A private Morocco crossing: imperial cities, Sahara and Marrakech
This five-day one-way itinerary connects three great elements of Morocco in a logical route. The Atlantic setting of Casablanca and the capital’s heritage in Rabat provide an introduction to the country before the historic city of Fes. Travelling southeast, you cross changing Middle Atlas landscapes and the palm-filled Ziz Valley to reach the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi.
The key date is deliberately protected: arrive in Merzouga on 30 December, spend 31 December in the Sahara with an arranged New Year’s Eve overnight, and only begin the journey towards Marrakech on 1 January. With five days in total, the plan is varied but still involves significant road mileage; private touring allows time to select worthwhile stops rather than promising every attraction.
Your New Year journey on the map
Discover the towns, landscapes and travel stages on our illustrated Morocco map.
Close map ×City and attraction labels show suggested locations, not guaranteed visits. Maps are illustrative, not road navigation.
Open the main journey in Google Maps. Specific stops and timings are confirmed in your personalised itinerary.
Day-by-day private tour programme
All itineraries are examples, with dates arranged so 31 December is always spent in Merzouga. Hotel names, camp accommodation and any festive event require supplier confirmation.
29 December 2027 — Casablanca to Rabat and Fes
Your private journey begins in Casablanca with pickup from your hotel or Mohammed V International Airport if flight timing permits. Continue north to Rabat for a short introduction to the capital, with the Hassan Tower precinct or another accessible landmark according to the schedule. Travel onward to Fes and settle into the agreed riad or hotel. Rabat sightseeing, monument entries and a licensed city guide must be clearly included if requested.
Why this stage matters: Casablanca sets the starting point for a northbound journey, with Rabat offering a first look at Morocco’s royal and administrative heritage. If you want time inside a specific monument or a guided medina visit, tell us in advance; the arrival time in Fes depends on when you start and on the length of your stops. Overnight: agreed hotel or riad in Fes.
30 December — Middle Atlas, Ziz Valley and arrival in Merzouga
Depart Fes early and travel southeast through the Ifrane and Azrou region, Midelt and the dramatic Ziz Valley. Follow the oasis country through Erfoud before reaching Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dune landscape. This is a full travel day, so stop choices are based on winter daylight and road conditions. Overnight at a confirmed hotel, lodge or desert camp in the Merzouga area.
Landscape highlights: the route changes from the greener Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou to the striking palm-filled Ziz Valley and the desert gateway of Erfoud. Plan breaks for viewpoints and refreshments, but remember that an early arrival in Merzouga makes settling into your accommodation more comfortable.
31 December — Full Sahara day and New Year’s Eve in the dunes
Enjoy time around Merzouga without a long intercity transfer. The programme can include an optional 4×4 excursion, guided dune viewpoints, Khamlia or local craft stops according to accessibility and supplier availability. Later, prepare for sunset and travel to the selected camp or dune-edge accommodation. The evening of 31 December is spent in Merzouga / Erg Chebbi. A special dinner, music or private celebration can be arranged only if the operator confirms it in writing.
Celebrate in the dunes: spend this day close to Erg Chebbi rather than rushing from another city. You can request a sunset viewpoint, optional 4×4 discovery or camel experience, followed by a New Year’s Eve dinner at your chosen camp. Any live music, drinks, gala or countdown programme is included only if it appears on your confirmed offer.
1 January 2028 — Merzouga through Todra Gorge towards Dades
After breakfast and a possible sunrise walk, depart the Sahara westwards through the Tafilalet landscape towards Tinghir and Todra Gorge. Enjoy a suitable canyon stop if conditions permit, then continue towards the Dades Valley, Boumalne Dades or a comparable southern overnight location. The accommodation and any included dinner are specified in the individual itinerary.
New Year’s morning: an early dune walk can reveal lovely light before breakfast and the westbound drive. Continue through Tinghir and Todra Gorge, where a short accessible walk may be possible, then relax in your selected Dades Valley accommodation; confirm whether dinner is included.
2 January — Dades, Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Continue through the Valley of Roses and the southern kasbah landscapes towards Ouarzazate. If daylight and road access permit, stop to visit Aït Ben Haddou, allowing time for the walk rather than a rushed photo. Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka route, subject to winter weather, and arrive at your Marrakech accommodation in the evening. Do not schedule a tight flight connection after this mountain crossing.
Final-day discoveries: the Valley of Roses, Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou offer different landscapes and architectural stories before the ascent over Tizi n’Tichka. Allow enough daylight for an unhurried kasbah visit. As conditions on the mountain road can change, avoid a tight flight connection on the same evening.
A genuine New Year night in Merzouga
The New Year celebration is planned for Friday, 31 December 2027 at an agreed desert camp or dune-edge accommodation in the Merzouga / Erg Chebbi area, with the first morning of 2028 in the Sahara. Camp location, room configuration, private bathroom, heating, festive dinner, any music and the evening programme are subject to supplier confirmation. We will never present fireworks, a DJ or a gala as guaranteed unless your final quotation specifies it.
Winter desert nights can be extremely cold. Bring warm layers for dinner and stargazing, appropriate closed shoes, sunscreen for daytime and a small overnight bag. Tell us if you need a heated room, a private bathroom or accessible facilities; not all Sahara camps offer the same amenities.
What’s included in your private tour?
A tailored quotation will specify the driver, vehicle, pickup and final destination, accommodation category, meals, route, guiding arrangements and individual prices. Camel trekking or a 4×4 camp transfer, local guides, festive programmes, monument entrances and optional activities are included only when listed in the confirmed package.
- Private tour request for your own travelling party
- Hotel or agreed meeting-point pickup
- Proposed overnight stays and Merzouga arrival plan
- Winter road and mountain weather considerations
- Group size, family needs and luggage capacity checked
There is no automatic reservation or card charge when submitting an enquiry.
Why choose this route for New Year?
- Celebrate the evening of 31 December among the Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi
- A private journey with a flexible, realistic stop schedule
- Enjoy dune colours at sunrise on New Year’s Day
- Choose a camp standard that fits your needs when available
Exact routes and times depend on weather, road access and the camp’s confirmed programme. Neither the late-December sunset nor a particular musical performance can be guaranteed.
Planning advice for this route
The suggested 5 days / 4 nights include one overnight in Fes, two nights in or near Merzouga (including New Year’s Eve), and one night in the Dades region before arriving in Marrakech. Flight arrivals in Casablanca on 29 December must be early enough for the proposed day-one routing; if you land late, we should modify the first night. Winter conditions may affect the high passes near Ifrane and Tizi n’Tichka, and access to kasbahs or viewpoints varies. If you want guided tours of Rabat or Fes, include the guiding and entry tickets in your enquiry.
We recommend sending your enquiry as early as possible: 31 December is a peak-date night for desert camps. Tell us your hotel preferences, party size, preferred comfort level and whether you favour a quiet desert evening or an organised dinner programme. Our team will confirm availability and cancellation conditions before a booking is made.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for planning your private Morocco experience. Select a question to read the details.
Do we spend 31 December in the Sahara, not Marrakech?
Yes. The itinerary is designed specifically so the evening and night of 31 December are spent at the confirmed Merzouga / Erg Chebbi property.
Where are the four nights?
The suggested sequence is Fes (29 December), Merzouga area (30 December), Erg Chebbi camp or dune-side accommodation (31 December), and Dades region (1 January). Exact names are confirmed in the quotation.
Is airport pickup in Casablanca possible?
Yes, subject to flight arrival time and vehicle availability. A late flight may require a modified first-day itinerary.
Can we choose a luxury Sahara camp?
You can request an upgraded camp with suitable heating and private facilities, subject to the availability and written description of the actual property.
Does the package include a New Year’s Eve party?
Festive dinner, performances and other extras must be verified with the chosen camp; they are not automatically included.
Can we end at Marrakech airport?
A Marrakech airport or city drop-off can be requested, but arrival on 2 January involves a mountain crossing and should not be paired with a tight flight departure.
More answers for planning your New Year tour
Explore the practical details before you book. Each private tour is tailored to your needs, and exact inclusions are always confirmed in writing.
Casablanca, Fes and the Sahara: your five-day tour
How much driving is involved across the five days?
This is a cross-country journey with long travel days, especially Fes to Merzouga and Dades to Marrakech. We build in sensible breaks, but the route is more active than a relaxed city holiday.
Will we visit the highlights of Rabat and Fes with a guide?
Rabat normally receives a short stop on the way to Fes. A longer guided Fes medina visit requires appropriate timing and a licensed local guide, so ask for it explicitly when planning your tour.
Why spend both 30 and 31 December around Merzouga?
The plan reaches Merzouga on 30 December, leaving 31 December free for the dunes and your New Year’s Eve arrangements. This avoids trying to arrive after a long drive on the evening of the celebration.
Do we change accommodation between the two desert nights?
You may stay in a lodge before moving to a desert camp, or request another arrangement. The named properties, room categories, check-in details and any transfer between them will be confirmed before booking.
Can we avoid a camel ride to reach the desert camp?
Yes. Ask about approved vehicle transfers if a camel ride is unwanted or unsuitable. Availability and the exact transfer method depend on the camp location and conditions, and must be confirmed.
What facilities should we expect at the Sahara camp?
Camp standards vary. Request explicit details for heating, private bathroom, hot water, electricity, bed type and access. Do not assume that a camp described as ‘luxury’ offers identical facilities to another property.
Are Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley actual stops?
They form part of the proposed westbound journey, with stops chosen according to daylight and winter road conditions. A specific guided visit or extended canyon walk is not automatically included.
Can we visit Aït Ben Haddou instead of just photographing it?
A longer visit can be requested, but the final day already includes significant driving. Admission arrangements, a local guide and additional time should be reflected in your agreed schedule.
How is the evening of 31 December organised?
The chosen camp or hotel determines any festive menu, music or organised programme. We will identify the venue and written inclusions; fireworks, performances or premium dining are never automatically guaranteed.
Is it safe to schedule a flight out of Marrakech on 2 January?
Avoid a tight flight connection. The final day crosses the High Atlas, and winter road conditions or traffic can affect arrival time. An additional overnight stay in Marrakech is more reliable.
Where do we put our luggage during the trip?
Luggage travels in the vehicle subject to its capacity, while a smaller overnight bag may be useful at a dune camp. Tell us the number and approximate size of bags so the correct vehicle can be selected.
Can pickup start at Casablanca airport?
Airport pickup can be requested subject to flight arrival time and vehicle availability. A late arrival may require changing the first-day sightseeing or overnight plan.
Prices, bookings and travel arrangements
Is the displayed starting price the final amount?
No. The ‘from’ price is an indicative guide only. The final quotation depends on dates, travel party, accommodation or dinner venue, vehicle, New Year’s Eve supplements and requested extras. No rate or availability is guaranteed until confirmed in writing.
What will be included in our private booking?
Your personalised offer sets out transport, pickup and return points, lodging or venue, meals, guided services, any additional activities and relevant exclusions. Please rely on the final inclusions list rather than assuming every experience mentioned on the website is part of the package.
When is the booking officially confirmed?
An enquiry or quotation is not a confirmed reservation. The booking is confirmed only when the selected suppliers have accepted the arrangements, any required payment and conditions have been fulfilled, and you receive written confirmation.
How early should we request a New Year booking?
Enquire as early as convenient, because the festive period often has limited accommodation and special-event capacity. We check availability individually; early contact improves planning options but does not guarantee any hotel, camp, restaurant or event.
Can we customise departure time, travel pace and activities?
Yes, private arrangements can be tailored to your priorities within realistic driving times, weather and venue availability. Changes to dates, route, accommodation or excursions may alter the cost and should be agreed before the booking is confirmed.
Are travel insurance, tips and entrance tickets included?
Do not assume so. Travel insurance, gratuities, attraction tickets, optional activities and specialised local guides are included only where your confirmed quotation specifically lists them. Check your personal travel insurance for winter travel and any optional adventure activities.
What happens when bad winter weather affects the itinerary?
Driver and guest safety comes first. Snow, ice, wind, road closures or delayed suppliers can require a revised route, later arrival or replacement activity. Any change and its financial implications are handled according to the confirmed terms and suppliers involved.
What payment and cancellation conditions apply?
Deposits, final-payment dates, changes, cancellation fees and any non-refundable festive arrangements are stated in your individual quotation. Terms can differ among transport, camps, hotels and event venues; please review them before accepting the booking.
Request Your New Year Merzouga Private Tour
Tell us what you have in mind. We will personally review your request and reply with itinerary options and a quote. No payment is taken here.
Prefer email? alltoursinmorocco@gmail.com