YPT Tours to Western Sahara

Join one of our Western Sahara tours to one of the most disputed regions in the African continent – perhaps even in the world! Western Sahara is one of the rare regions considered as a non-self-governing territory, but Morocco claims some of the region’s territory. Despite this, Western Sahara retains its own identity of traditional Berber culture, mixed with Moroccan and Spanish influence to create an incredibly unique region in North Africa.

Most of the country is under the administration of Morocco, with a thin line between Morocco and Mauritania, as well as the border with Algeria under the control of the Polisaro or the army fighting for the independence of the country.

Our connections allow to organise tours both to the part which is administrated by Morocco but also to get up close to the Sahrawi administration in Algeria

Group Tours to Western Sahara

Our group tours to Western Sahara are capped at small groups. This is to ensure you have a great time, but also that safety is maintained.

Come explore Laayoune, the de facto capital of Western Sahara, where we’ll walk through the remnants of Spanish rule, including the Casa del Mar fortress and the Spanish Cathedral in Laayoune. We’ll also visit the Saint-Exupéry Museum in Tarfaya, where The Little Prince’s creator lived as an airmail pilot.

After an epic 540km overland journey between sand dunes and crashing waves of the Atlantic, we’ll arrive in Dakhla, the ultimate hidden gem of the Saraha. Picture a remote oceanic paradise, half-Sahara, half-turquoise lagoons, home to flamingos, kitesurfers, and the freshest oysters you’ll ever taste. You’ll explore desert islands, soak in hot springs, and relax on untouched beaches.

Saharan Tales: Western Sahara Tour – January 22nd – 26th 2026 – €1545

Forget everything you think you know about deserts and disputed lands and join us on this ultimate road trip through an unrecognised country few travellers have ever explored.

Independent Tours to Western Sahara

YPT can organize Western Sahara tours to fit your travel dates, time and budget. Whether you want to visit Western Sahara as a standalone tour, combine it with neighbouring countries such as Mauritania and Algeria, or explore a specific part of Western Sahara, YPT can personalize a tour right for you! Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Western Sahara tours.

Below is an example Western Sahara itinerary can be extended or combined with other activities or countries.

The region can be reached from Morocco either by driving from Agadir, a nearby Moroccan beach vacation city which has daily connections with most of Europe or via Mauritania, driving up north from Nouadhibou and crossing into the No-man’s land. It is also possible to fly directly into Western Sahara as the two main cities of the region, Dakhla and Laayoune, both have international airports with some connections.

In this region, YPT can arrange tours, transportation, accommodation as well as guides and translators, contact us for a quote!

Example of a Western Sahara Itinerary (5 days)

Day 1 – Laayoune

• Arrive at your leisure in Laayoune, the de facto capital of Western Sahara, your gateway to one of the world’s least-explored territories. Regular flights reach it from Gran Canaria and Casablanca.
• Transfer to our accommodation.

Afternoon

• Kick off our city tour at Place Mechouar, a square where government buildings, palm trees, and fountains create a bizarre mix of bureaucracy and beauty.
• Visit the Grand Mosque of Laayoune, an architectural gem with traditional Moroccan influences, serving as the spiritual centre of the city.
• Explore the Spanish Cathedral (Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís). A remnant of Spanish colonial rule, this church is a striking contrast to the city’s Islamic
  heritage.
• Wander through the local souk, a bustling marketplace overflowing with Saharan textiles, handwoven rugs, spices, and artisan crafts from the local Sahrawi people.
• Stroll along the Saguia El Hamra Riverbed at sunset. It is dry most of the year, but rich in history and legends of desert survival.
• For dinner, we’ll feast on Sahrawi delicacies. Think camel meat, stuffed bread, and bottomless mint tea.
• Overnight in Laayoune

Day 2 – Laayoune – Tarfaya

• After an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll hit the road south towards Tarfaya (100km, ~1.5 hours), a coastal town with rich maritime and aviation history.
• Our first stop will be Casa del Mar, a haunting offshore ruin of a 19th-century British trading post that can only be reached at low tide.
• We’ll visit the Saint-Exupéry Museum, dedicated to the legendary pilot and author of The Little Prince. Saint-Exupéry spent time here as an airmail pilot, and the museum is packed with aviation relics and letters from his adventures.

Afternoon

• After lunch in a local eatery, we’ll continue our visit of Tarfaya
• We’ll step back into the Spanish era at Ksar Tarfaya, a well-preserved colonial military fort.
• Time to relax and walk along Tarfaya Beach & Port, where local fishermen haul in fresh catches daily. We’ll take in the salty sea breeze and check out the traditional wooden fishing boats.
• Drive back to Laayoune, with time for extra city exploration or ticking off any sites missed yesterday.
• Overnight in Laayoune

Day 3 – Laayoune – Boujdour – Dakhla

• We’ll fuel up on breakfast, then hit the road for our scenic coastal drive south.
• Our first stop is Boujdour (190 km, ~3 hours), a remote Saharan outpost known for its windswept Atlantic coast, seafood, and its role as a crucial stop along the Trans-Saharan Highway. Boujdour is often overlooked – just how we like it. The town is unexpectedly covered in bold murals, many of which depict Sahrawi culture, maritime history, and desert life.
• First, we’ll check the Boujdour Lighthouse, a colonial-era relic guiding ships through Saharan waters.
• Then, we’ll head to the desert dunes of Boujdour, where golden sands spill straight into the Atlantic. Perfect for photography (or just standing in awe).
• From sand to sea, we’ll continue to the Boujdour Port & Fish Market, where fresh octopus and sea bream are the stars of the show.

Afternoon

• After a seafood feast for lunch, we’ll continue our journey south.
• We’ll hit the highway for the final 340km stretch to Dakhla (~5 hours), an overland route where the desert and ocean collide in a stunning landscape of dunes and waves.
• Arrive in Dakhla, the crown jewel of Western Sahara. This isolated desert peninsula juts into the Atlantic, creating a surreal mix of turquoise lagoons, golden dunes, and Sahrawi culture. A long-time strategic military outpost, today it’s best known as a kitesurfing mecca, a seafood paradise, and one of the most stunning hidden gems in Africa.
• Check into our hotel, and unwind at the legendary Dakhla Lagoon, a kiteboarding paradise with crystal-clear waters and the occasional flock of flamingos.
• Overnight in Dakhla

Day 4 – Dakhla

• After breakfast, we’ll head straight for the White Dunes & Dragon Island, where sand dunes crash into the Atlantic. We’ll take a short boat ride to Dragon Island, a bizarre uninhabited islet famous for its salt formations and panoramic views.
• It will then be time to soak in the Hot Water Spring of Asnaa, a natural therapeutic oasis said to work wonders for the skin.
• Beachside lunch, featuring fresh oysters, grilled fish, and Sahrawi-style couscous—because nothing beats eating seafood with ocean views.

Afternoon

• We’ll spend the afternoon exploring Dakhla Lagoon, one of the world’s top kitesurfing and birdwatching spots, home to flamingos, pelicans, and migratory birds.
• Stop by PK25 Beach, a secluded paradise. If you’ve ever wanted to kick back on an untouched white-sand beach, this is your spot.
• We’ll drive out to Portorico Beach, an even more remote slice of paradise where the desert meets the Atlantic.
• The afternoon will continue around oyster farms. We’ll tour the farms, chat with local oyster farmers, and sample some of the freshest oysters you’ll ever taste, straight from the sea.
• Farewell dinner and overnight in Dakhla

Day 5 – Dakhla

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Transfer to Dakhla Airport, depending on your flight schedule.
• Tour concludes – YPT is able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights out

Bespoke Western Sahara Tours

As part of our travel packages within Western Africa, we can offer bespoke and independent Western Sahara tours. These can be done as full Western Sahara tours or be combined with other countries.

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch.

Smara Tour

Venture deep into the region claimed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic but controlled by Morocco by visiting Smara. Smara is one of the more populous cities in Western Sahara and was established in 1869. The city has an incredible fortress (Zawiy Maalainin) with a very old mosque inside. The city was supposed to become a trading hub for the Sahara, an oasis. However, in 1913, it was looted and destroyed by French soldiers, before being passed on to the Spanish. In 1975, the Moroccans took control of the region as Spain withdrew their forces.

Each occupier left their mark on the city, making Smara the only local town not founded by the Spanish and a very fascinating cultural and historical city to visit in Western Sahara.

Sailing in the Sahara Tour

The West coast of Western Sahara is completely bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, making it a great place to set sail. Explore the sea via sailboat or catamaran. Sail as you like – relax on board and take in the sights of Dakhla Bay or learn the basics of sailing. You can choose from half a day, a full day of sailing or even two days by staying in cabins on the boat!

Western Sahara via Morocco and Mauritania

Start from Morocco and venture south to Western Sahara, by starting in the regions claimed by Morocco. Once you have explored all the must-see places in Western Sahara, continue south and take on Mauritania, a very different North-Western country. You can combine Western Sahara as a private extension before or after our Mauritania tours to make the most of your time in the region!

Deir el-Hagara Tour

Explore the archaeological site of Deir el-Hagara,  the ‘Monastery of Stone’. The site has a sandstone temple that is one of the best preserved and most ‘complete’ Roman temples in Western Sahara. Much of the pink-ish sandstone structure is covered in detailed images, depicting battles, religion and society. The site is located on an incredibly slender peninsula in the middle of Western Sahara, where Dakhla is located.

Polisaro-controlled region

The government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently in exile in Algeria. They are in the border town of Tindouf, from which access to the Polisaro-controlled region can sometimes be gained. Tindouf can be reached with domestic flights within Algeria.

This is a true adventure and definitely not a standardized trip. Nonetheless, YPT is able to facilitate trips to the border and depending on the current situation, sometimes more. We have access to guides as well as translators in the region.

Filming in Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a great location for filmmakers and journalists to visit for its desert landscape, incredible seas and Berber culture mixed with the remnants of colonial powers. Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can plan for productions, journalists, or others to film within Western Sahara from big budget to guerrilla productions to small projects. We can also arrange meetings in the country, as well as correct visas for journalists wishing to do projects within Western Sahara, within reason. Inquire for more information!

Frequently asked Questions about travel to Western Sahara

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