Sahara Desert Tour in Winter: What December to February Is Really Like

Is winter a good time for a Sahara tour?

Yes. December to February brings some of the most comfortable desert days of the year, with clear skies and none of the summer heat. The trade-off is the night. Once the sun goes down, a desert camp can be close to freezing, and that is the part most first-time visitors underestimate.

Winter also covers the Christmas and New Year holidays, the busiest stretch for 3-day tours from Marrakech. If your dates fall between about 20 December and early January, book early.

How cold does the desert camp get?

Around Merzouga, climate averages put December and January nights at roughly 3–7°C, with daytime highs often around 15–20°C. On the coldest nights, particularly in January, temperatures can drop below freezing. Erg Chegaga, more remote and exposed, can be colder still.

What this means in practice:

• Sunset and the evening around the fire are cold. You will want a warm jacket, a hat and gloves.
• Sunrise, when the camel ride out of camp usually happens, is the coldest part of the trip.
• Tents are not insulated buildings. Bedding quality matters more than anything else.

Choosing a camp for winter

In winter, the gap between a basic and a luxury camp is about comfort at night, not only style. Before you book, ask:

1. Does the tent have its own bathroom? An en-suite tent means no walk across cold sand in the night. Several of the tours below include one.
2. What bedding is provided? Ask about the number of blankets and whether there is a proper bed.
3. Is there heating? Some camps provide heaters; many do not. Never assume.
4. Can I upgrade? Many shared tours offer a luxury-tent upgrade, which is worth considering in winter.

See our luxury desert camp guide for the options in detail.

Tours that suit winter best

Compare These Tours Side by Side

Compare specific Viator listings side by side. Prices, availability, and cancellation terms can change, so confirm them on the booking page.

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Tour	Duration	Best For	Rating	Book
3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour with Luxury Camp (Small Group) Recommended	3 days	Best luxury camp	⭐ 4.8 (793)	View Tour
3-Day Merzouga Sahara Tour with Camel Ride & Camp (Small Group) Recommended	3 days	Best overall	⭐ 4.9 (2,083)	View Tour
3-Day Private Merzouga Tour with Luxury Camp	3 days	Private + luxury camp	⭐ 5.0 (112)	View Tour
3-Day Private Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech Recommended	3 days	Best private value	⭐ 4.9 (292)	View Tour

Ratings and review counts checked on Viator on November 3, 2026.

Christmas and New Year in the Sahara

Spending Christmas or New Year’s Eve in the desert is popular, which pushes up demand for camps and vehicles. If you want those dates:

• Book well ahead and confirm the exact night you will be at camp.
• Ask whether the camp holds a special New Year’s Eve dinner or celebration, and whether there is a holiday supplement.
• A private tour lets you choose your own start date, which helps when shared departures fill up.
• Remember that alcohol is not always available at desert camps.

Snow on the Tizi n’Tichka pass

The road from Marrakech to the desert crosses the High Atlas at the Tizi n’Tichka pass. In winter, snow occasionally slows traffic or briefly closes the road, which can delay departures or returns.

Leave a buffer day between the end of your tour and any flight, and give the operator a phone number they can reach you on. A one-way tour to Fes avoids recrossing the pass on the way back.

Shorter days, long drives

The drive to Merzouga takes about nine to ten hours each way with stops, and winter days are shorter. Expect to arrive near sunset on the way out and spend more of the return in the dark. If that sounds like too much, the 4-day tours split the driving more evenly, and the 2-day Zagora trip is much shorter.

Winter packing list

• A warm, packable jacket (down or synthetic), plus a fleece.
• Hat, gloves and warm socks for the evening and sunrise.
• A sleeping-bag liner, or a light sleeping bag if you feel the cold.
• A scarf or buff to keep out wind and sand.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen. Winter sun is still strong.

Your large bag may stay in the vehicle overnight, so keep the warm layers in a small day bag. Our full packing guide has more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to help you plan your desert trip from Marrakech.

Is it too cold to visit the Sahara in winter?

No. Winter days are usually mild and clear, which many travellers prefer. Nights at camp are cold, around 0–7°C and sometimes below freezing, so pack warm layers and choose a camp with good bedding.

How cold is Merzouga in December?

Climate averages put December nights in the Merzouga area at about 7°C, with daytime highs around 20°C. Individual nights can be much colder.

Are desert camps heated in winter?

Some provide heaters, but many do not. Ask the operator directly, and consider a luxury tent with its own bathroom.

Is it worth spending New Year’s Eve in the Sahara?

It can be memorable, but it is the busiest time of year. Book early, confirm your camp night and ask whether there is a celebration or holiday supplement.

Can snow affect a Sahara tour from Marrakech?

Occasionally. Snow on the Tizi n’Tichka pass can delay traffic, so leave a buffer day before an onward flight.