Morocco Desert Tours · Sahara 2026

Morocco Desert Tours & Sahara Desert Adventures

Sahara Desert Tours from Marrakech

Ride a camel into the golden dunes, sleep under a sky full of stars and watch the sun rise over the Sahara. Discover the best Morocco desert tours — Merzouga and Zagora trips, luxury desert camps and private Sahara adventures from Marrakech, all run by a trusted local team.

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Erg ChebbiMerzouga dunes
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The Heart of Morocco

The Best Morocco Desert Tours

For most travellers, the Sahara is the moment Morocco becomes unforgettable. A Morocco desert tour takes you out of the cities and into one of the most spectacular landscapes on earth — an endless ocean of golden dunes, ancient kasbahs, palm-fringed oases and a silence you can almost hear. It is the experience people come back from talking about for years: a camel trek into the dunes at sunset, a feast under the stars and a sunrise that turns the whole desert to fire.

Our Morocco desert tours carry you from Marrakech across the snow-dusted High Atlas Mountains, down the legendary Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and out to the great dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga or the closer dunes of Zagora. Whether you have two days or two weeks, want a budget shared trip or a private luxury escape, this is your complete guide to the Sahara desert tour that suits you — and the page that helps you book it.

As a local company based in Marrakech, we have guided thousands of travellers into the Sahara. Browse the full range of routes on our Morocco tours and circuits page, or read on to choose between Merzouga, Zagora, private tours, luxury camps and camel trekking — then let us turn it into a tailor-made desert tour built around your dates.

Erg Chebbi Dunes The tallest, most spectacular Sahara dunes — up to 150m — at Merzouga.
Sunset Camel Trek Ride into the dunes for sunset and back at sunrise — included on every tour.
Desert Camps Sleep under the stars in standard or luxury en-suite Sahara camps.
Private or Shared Budget-friendly shared seats or a private vehicle just for your group.

Why The Desert?

Why Choose a Morocco Desert Tour

Morocco has imperial cities, mountains and a beautiful coast — but the Sahara is the one experience nobody forgets. Here is why a desert tour belongs at the heart of your trip.

The Moroccan Sahara is not just a backdrop; it is an event. The drive there is half the adventure — you climb the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas, wander the mud-brick kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, follow the rose-red gorges of Dades and Todra, and pass through palm groves and Berber villages where life has its own rhythm. Then the tarmac ends, the dunes appear on the horizon, and you trade the car for a camel. A Morocco desert tour packs more wonder into a few days than almost any trip in the world.

The Iconic Sahara

The Erg Chebbi dunes are the Sahara of your imagination — vast, golden and silent. Standing on a dune ridge at sunset is the single most memorable thing most travellers do in Morocco.

Camel Trekking

A gentle camel ride into the dunes at sunset is part of every tour — a slow, peaceful caravan into the sand that children and grandparents enjoy alike, ending at your desert camp.

Nights Under The Stars

Far from any city lights, the desert sky explodes with stars and the Milky Way. Dinner around the fire, Berber drumming and silence — a night in a Sahara camp is pure magic.

An Epic Road Trip

Kasbahs, gorges, oases and mountain passes line the route to the desert. The journey itself is full of jaw-dropping stops, so you are never just driving — you are exploring.

Berber Hospitality

Share mint tea with desert families, eat home-cooked tagine and meet the nomads and camp hosts who make the Sahara feel like home. The warmth of the people is unforgettable.

Flexible & For Everyone

From a 2-day budget trip to a private luxury escape, desert tours flex to any time frame and budget. Add sandboarding, quad biking or a 4x4 dune drive to make it yours.

Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga on a Morocco Sahara desert tour

The Great Dunes

Merzouga Desert Tours

A Merzouga desert tour is the ultimate Sahara experience in Morocco. Merzouga is the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes — a sea of wind-sculpted sand that rises up to 150 metres, glowing gold at dawn and deep orange at dusk. These are the tallest and most beautiful dunes in the country, and the reason most travellers choose Merzouga over any other desert.

Erg Chebbi sits about a 9 to 10 hour drive from Marrakech, so a Merzouga tour needs a minimum of three days. That time is well spent: you cross the Atlas, explore Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, follow the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, then arrive for a sunset camel trek over the dunes to your desert camp. After dinner under the stars and a sunrise the next morning, you have lived the full Sahara dream. Our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is our most popular trip and the perfect introduction to the dunes.

  • Erg Chebbi dunesThe tallest, most photogenic dunes in Morocco at sunrise and sunset.
  • Camel trekkingA classic caravan ride into the sand to reach your camp.
  • Luxury desert campsFrom cosy standard tents to en-suite luxury camps with fine dining.
  • Sunset & sunriseThe two magic hours when the dunes are at their most beautiful.
3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour

Want more time in the Sahara? Merzouga also features on our longer routes — the 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour crosses the dunes on the way to Fes, while the 7-day Morocco tour and 10-day grand tour pair the desert with the imperial cities.

The Quick Escape

Zagora Desert Tours

Short on time but still want a real night in the Sahara? A Zagora desert tour is the answer. The dunes near Zagora and Tinfou are closer to Marrakech — roughly a 7-hour drive through the Draa Valley, Morocco's longest river and a ribbon of date palms — so you can experience the desert in just two days. It is the most popular short desert trip from Marrakech and a wonderful taste of the Sahara when a longer tour is not possible.

On a desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora you cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stop at Ait Ben Haddou, and reach the desert by late afternoon for a camel trek to your camp, dinner under the stars and a night among the dunes. The Zagora dunes are smaller than Merzouga's Erg Chebbi, but the magic of a desert night — the silence, the campfire, the stars — is every bit as real. Choose the 2-day Zagora desert tour from Marrakech for a quick overnight, or the more relaxed 3-day Zagora desert tour for extra time in the Draa Valley.

  • Shorter & closerA real Sahara night in just 2 days, ideal for tight schedules.
  • The Draa ValleyDrive through Morocco's longest palm oasis to reach the dunes.
  • Camel trek & campSunset ride into the dunes and an overnight under the stars.
2-Day Zagora Desert Tour
Zagora dunes and Draa Valley on a 2-day desert tour from Marrakech
Ait Ben Haddou kasbah on a Marrakech to Fes desert tour through the Sahara

One-Way Across The Sahara

Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours

If you are travelling between Morocco's two great cities, a Marrakech to Fes desert tour is the smartest way to do it. Instead of doubling back, you cross the Sahara just once, starting in Marrakech and finishing in Fes (or the reverse) with no wasted driving. Along the way you see everything — the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades and Todra gorges, the Merzouga dunes and the Ziz Valley — before arriving in the imperial city of Fes.

Our 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is the perfect one-way Sahara journey: a relaxed pace, a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes with a camel trek and desert camp, and an ending in Fes ready to explore its ancient medina. It is ideal if you are flying into one city and out of the other, and it works beautifully as the desert leg of a longer Morocco circuit.

  • No backtrackingStart in Marrakech, end in Fes — cross the desert just once.
  • Merzouga dunesA full night in the Erg Chebbi dunes with a camel trek.
  • Two imperial citiesBookend the Sahara with Marrakech and Fes.
5-Day Marrakech to Fes Tour

Just For Your Group

Private Morocco Desert Tours

The same Sahara, on your own terms. A private Morocco desert tour gives you the vehicle, driver and itinerary for your group alone — no strangers, no fixed timetable, complete freedom.

A shared desert tour is a great budget choice, but a private desert tour transforms the experience. You choose your own departure time, decide how long to linger at each kasbah, gorge and viewpoint, and travel at a pace that suits you — perfect for families with young children, couples who want a romantic trip, photographers chasing the best light, and anyone who simply values comfort and flexibility. Your driver becomes your guide, sharing stories of the desert and stopping wherever the view is best.

Because the cost of a private tour is shared across your group, the per-person price falls as your party grows, so for four or more travellers a private Sahara tour is often comparable to booking individual shared seats — with far more comfort. Every desert route on this page, from the 2-day Zagora trip to the 10-day grand tour, can be run privately. To see how private travel works across all of Morocco, visit our dedicated private Morocco tours page, or browse the full range of tours and circuits.

Your Group Only

The vehicle, the driver and the whole itinerary are exclusively yours — no sharing with strangers and no crowded coach. Travel in privacy and comfort from start to finish.

Your Pace, Your Stops

Leave when you like, linger where you love and add unplanned stops along the way. Change the plan any day — the desert tour bends around you, not the other way round.

Local Driver-Guide

A friendly local driver who knows every road, viewpoint and hidden corner of the route, handling all the logistics so you simply enjoy the Sahara.

Five-Star Under The Stars

Luxury Desert Camps

A luxury desert tour in Morocco proves you do not have to rough it to sleep in the Sahara. Our luxury desert camps in the Erg Chebbi dunes pair the romance of a night among the sand with the comfort of a fine hotel — spacious private tents with proper beds and crisp linen, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, electricity, rugs and lanterns, and candlelit dinners served beneath a canopy of stars.

Picture arriving by camel as the dunes turn gold, being welcomed with mint tea, dining on a multi-course Moroccan feast, then drifting to sleep to total silence before a private sunrise over the sand. Luxury camps are perfect for honeymooners, special occasions and anyone who wants the magic of the desert with none of the compromise. You can upgrade to a luxury camp on any of our desert tours, and pair it with boutique riads and upgraded vehicles for a fully premium trip — just ask when you plan your tour.

  • Proper beds & linenReal beds, quality bedding and rugs — not a sleeping bag in sight.
  • Private en-suite bathroomsEach tent has its own bathroom with a hot shower and WC.
  • Fine desert diningCandlelit multi-course Moroccan dinners served in the dunes.
  • Premium touchesElectricity, lounge tents, music and a private sunrise over the sand.
Plan a Luxury Desert Tour
Luxury desert camp in the Merzouga dunes on a Morocco luxury desert tour
Camel trekking caravan into the Sahara dunes on a Morocco camel trekking tour

The Classic Caravan

Camel Trekking in Morocco

No Morocco camel trekking tour is complete without the moment you climb aboard a dromedary and set off into the dunes in a slow, swaying caravan. It is the most iconic image of the Sahara, and on our desert tours it is included as standard — a gentle, beginner-friendly ride of around 60 to 90 minutes that takes you deep into the sand to your camp, far from the road and the modern world.

The classic trek runs twice: into the dunes in the late afternoon to watch the sun set behind the sand, and back out the next morning after sunrise. Led by an experienced camel guide on foot, it is suitable for almost everyone, including children, and there is always the option to walk alongside or take a 4x4 if you prefer not to ride. For keen adventurers we can arrange a longer camel trek — even a multi-day expedition deeper into the Sahara, camping with nomads along the way. Whichever you choose, the rhythm of the camels, the creak of the saddle and the endless dunes ahead make this the highlight of any desert tour.

  • Included as standardA sunset and sunrise camel trek comes with every desert tour.
  • Beginner-friendlyGentle, guided and suitable for children and first-timers.
  • Longer treks availableExtend to half-day or multi-day expeditions with desert nomads.

When To Go

Best Time to Visit the Sahara Desert

The Sahara is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character. Here is when to go for the most comfortable and beautiful desert tour.

The golden rule of the Sahara is simple: it is hot by day and cold by night, and the gap is bigger than most people expect. The best time for a Morocco desert tour is generally spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when daytime temperatures are warm and pleasant and the nights are cool rather than freezing. That said, every season works with the right preparation, and we run desert tours all year round.

Spring · Mar–May

The most popular season. Warm, comfortable days, cool desert nights and green valleys after the winter rains. Ideal for camel trekking and long sightseeing days — book ahead, as it is busy.

Autumn · Sep–Nov

The other sweet spot. Summer heat fades, the light turns golden and the desert is at its most photogenic. Warm days and crisp, clear nights make this perfect for the Sahara.

Winter · Dec–Feb

Quiet dunes, pleasant sunny days and dramatic snow on the Atlas peaks. Nights are very cold, so pack warm layers — but a clear winter desert sky is unbeatable for stargazing.

Summer · Jun–Aug

Very hot in the Sahara, often above 40°C at midday. Tours start early and focus on sunset and sunrise, and a luxury camp with cooler tents makes a big difference in the heat.

Best For Stargazing

Clear, moonless nights from late autumn to early spring give the darkest skies and the most dazzling view of the Milky Way from your desert camp.

Pack For Both

Whatever the season, bring light layers for the day and a warm jacket for the night. A scarf for sun and wind and closed shoes for the sand are essential year-round.

Find Your Fit

Morocco Desert Tour Comparison

Zagora or Merzouga? Shared or private? Standard or luxury camp? Compare the options at a glance to choose the desert tour that fits your time, budget and style.

Option Duration Dunes Best For From (pp)
Zagora Desert Tour 2 days (or 3) Smaller Zagora & Tinfou dunes; ~7h drive Short schedules & budget travellers from €60
Merzouga Desert Tour 3 days+ Towering Erg Chebbi dunes; ~9–10h drive The classic, iconic Sahara experience from €110
Marrakech to Fes 5 days Erg Chebbi, one-way, no backtracking Travellers crossing between the two cities on request
Shared Tour 2–5 days Fixed route & departure, group vehicle Solo travellers & lowest budget lowest cost
Private Tour Any length Your own vehicle, pace & itinerary Families, couples & groups wanting freedom shared cost
Luxury Camp Upgrade Add to any tour En-suite tents, beds & fine dining Honeymoons, special occasions & comfort premium

Still unsure which Sahara tour is right for you? Tell us your dates, group size and budget and our local team will recommend the perfect desert route — and give you a clear, fixed quote with no obligation.

Not sure which desert tour to pick? Get a free, tailored recommendation and quote from our Marrakech team.

Help Me Choose

Ready To Book

Our most-loved Morocco desert tours, ready to book or customise. Every one includes a camel trek and a night in a desert camp, and can be run shared or private.

3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour to the Erg Chebbi dunes
3 Days · Best Seller

3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga

Our most popular desert tour — cross the Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, then camel-trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night in a desert camp.

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2-day Zagora desert tour from Marrakech through the Draa Valley
2 Days · Quick Trip

2-Day Zagora Desert Tour

The classic short Sahara escape from Marrakech — drive the Draa Valley, ride a camel into the Zagora dunes and sleep under the stars. Perfect when time is tight.

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3-day Zagora desert tour through the Draa Valley palm oasis
3 Days · Relaxed

3-Day Zagora Desert Tour

A more relaxed Zagora trip with extra time in the Draa Valley and its palm oases — a gentler pace and a deeper taste of the southern desert.

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5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour across the Sahara
5 Days · One-Way

5-Day Marrakech to Fes

A one-way Sahara crossing from Marrakech to Fes — kasbahs, gorges, the Merzouga dunes and the Ziz Valley, with no backtracking and a finish in imperial Fes.

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7-day Morocco tour combining the Sahara desert with Marrakech and Fes
7 Days · Desert + Cities

7-Day Morocco Tour

The classic week — pair the Sahara at Merzouga with the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech and the imperial city of Fes. Morocco's greatest highlights at a comfortable pace.

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10-day Morocco grand tour with the Sahara desert, Fes and Chefchaouen
10 Days · Grand Tour

10-Day Grand Tour

The full grand loop — the Sahara, the mountains, Marrakech, Fes, blue Chefchaouen, Rabat and the coast. The complete Morocco experience, desert included.

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See every route, including itineraries that combine the desert with the coast and the cities, on the full Morocco tours and circuits page — or let us build a custom desert tour around your exact dates.

A Local Team You Can Trust

Why Book Your Desert Tour With Qimal Tours

We are a local Morocco company, not a faceless overseas agency. When you book a desert tour with us, you deal directly with the people who plan and run your trip across the Sahara.

Sahara Specialists

Based in Marrakech and run by Moroccans who know the desert roads, the dunes and the camps personally. You get real local knowledge and honest, fair pricing — not a middleman's mark-up.

Hand-Picked Camps

We work only with desert camps we know and trust, from comfortable standard tents to premium luxury camps, so you sleep well and safely under the Sahara stars.

Direct Support

Talk directly to the team planning your tour, before and during your trip. We are on WhatsApp whenever you need us, ready to help or adjust plans at any hour.

Flexible & Custom

Shared or private, standard or luxury, 2 days or 14 — every desert tour bends to suit you. Add stops, upgrade camps or reshape the route whenever you like.

Trusted & Reviewed

Hundreds of five-star reviews from travellers who have crossed the Sahara with us, with an average rating of 4.9. Your desert tour is in experienced hands.

Honest Fixed Pricing

One clear quote with no hidden costs. You know exactly what your desert tour includes and what it costs before you commit — no surprises along the way.

Morocco Tours & CircuitsThe full range of ready-made tours Merzouga Desert Tour3-day trip to the Erg Chebbi dunes Zagora Desert Tour2-day Sahara escape from Marrakech Marrakech to Fes Desert5-day one-way Sahara crossing Private Morocco ToursTailor-made & just for you Plan Your TripBuild a custom desert tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Morocco Desert Tour Questions

The best desert tour in Morocco for most travellers is a 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour to the Erg Chebbi dunes — the tallest and most spectacular dunes in the country. The route crosses the High Atlas, stops at Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, and ends with a sunset camel trek and a night in a Sahara camp. If you have less time, a 2-day Zagora desert tour is a great shorter option, and the 5-day Marrakech to Fes tour is ideal if you want to finish in a different city. The truly best tour depends on your time, budget and whether you prefer the dramatic Merzouga dunes or a quicker Zagora trip.
Merzouga is better if you want the classic Sahara with huge golden dunes — the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga rise up to 150 metres and are far more dramatic than the smaller, rockier dunes near Zagora. The trade-off is distance: Merzouga is around a 9–10 hour drive from Marrakech, so it needs at least 3 days, while Zagora is closer at roughly 7 hours and can be done in 2 days. Choose Merzouga for the postcard dunes and the best camps, and Zagora if you are short on time but still want a real night in the desert with a camel ride.
You need a minimum of 2 days for a Zagora desert tour or 3 days for a Merzouga tour to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Two days gives a quick taste of the Sahara with one night in a camp; three days is the sweet spot, allowing a relaxed Atlas crossing with proper stops at Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge. To combine the desert with the imperial cities, a 5-day Marrakech to Fes tour or a 7-day to 10-day grand tour gives you the Sahara plus Fes, Chefchaouen and more without rushing.
Yes — a camel trek is included as standard on all of our Merzouga and Zagora desert tours. You climb aboard a dromedary in the late afternoon and ride into the dunes to watch the sunset, then return after sunrise the next morning. The ride is gentle and beginner-friendly, typically 60–90 minutes each way. If you would rather not ride, you can walk alongside or take a 4x4 to the camp instead, and we can arrange a longer camel trek for those who want more time in the saddle.
Yes. Every desert tour we offer can be run as a private tour, with your own vehicle, driver and itinerary for your group alone. A private Morocco desert tour means no strangers, no fixed timetable and complete flexibility — you choose your departure time, how long to linger at each stop and how many nights to spend in the desert. Private tours cost a little more than shared departures but give total comfort and freedom, which is why they are our most popular option for couples, families and small groups.
Pack light layers, because the Sahara is hot by day and surprisingly cold at night. Bring a warm jacket or fleece for the desert evening, comfortable closed shoes plus sandals for the sand, sunglasses, a hat or scarf, high-factor sunscreen and lip balm. Carry a small daypack with a refillable water bottle, any medication, a power bank and a camera. A scarf doubles as sun and wind protection on the camel trek. You only need an overnight bag for the camp, as your main luggage stays in the vehicle. In winter, add gloves and a warm hat for the cold desert nights.
The best time is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when daytime temperatures in the Sahara are warm but comfortable and the nights are cool rather than freezing. Winter (December–February) is also excellent — pleasant days and quiet dunes — though desert nights are very cold, so warm clothing is essential. Summer (June–August) is very hot, often above 40°C, so summer tours start early and focus on sunset and sunrise when the dunes are at their most beautiful. We run desert tours all year round and tailor the timing to your dates.
A shared 2-day Zagora desert tour starts from around €60–90 per person, and a shared 3-day Merzouga tour from roughly €110–150 per person, including transport, a desert camp and a camel trek. Private tours cost more because the vehicle and driver are exclusively yours, with the per-person price falling as your group grows. Luxury desert tours with premium en-suite camps are priced higher again. We always provide a clear, fixed quote up front based on your route, group size, season and the standard of camp and hotels — just tell us your plans.
Our desert tours include a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver, fuel and tolls, all the sightseeing stops on the route, your overnight accommodation (a desert camp plus hotels or guesthouses on longer tours), a sunset and sunrise camel trek into the dunes, and dinner and breakfast at the camp. Optional extras such as a luxury camp upgrade, sandboarding, quad biking or a 4x4 dune excursion can be added. Not included are lunch, drinks and personal spending, and international flights — so the price stays transparent and you choose your own meals along the way.
Yes — Morocco desert tours are very safe and a wonderful family adventure. The roads are good, our drivers are experienced and know the routes intimately, and the camps are well established and comfortable. Children love the camel rides, the dunes and sleeping under the stars, and because every private tour runs at your own pace we can build in shorter driving days and extra stops for younger travellers. We provide child seats on request and choose family-friendly camps with proper beds and bathrooms. Camel rides are gentle and supervised, with the option to take a 4x4 to the camp instead.
Yes — every multi-day Sahara desert tour includes at least one night in a desert camp among the dunes. After the sunset camel trek you arrive at camp for a traditional Moroccan dinner, music around the fire and a sky full of stars, then sleep in a tented camp and wake for sunrise over the sand. Standard camps are comfortable and atmospheric with shared facilities, while our luxury camps offer spacious private tents with proper beds, en-suite bathrooms, electricity and fine dining. You can upgrade your camp on any desert tour.
Yes. While most travellers start from Marrakech, we also run Sahara desert tours from Fes and one-way tours between the two cities. The 5-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is especially popular because it crosses the dunes once with no backtracking, beginning in Marrakech and finishing in Fes (or the reverse). You can also do a shorter Fes to Merzouga and back trip. Just tell us your arrival and departure cities and we will design the desert route around your travel plans.
A shared desert tour groups you with other travellers in the same vehicle on a fixed itinerary and departure time, which keeps the cost low and is great for solo travellers and budget-minded couples. A private desert tour gives you the vehicle, driver and itinerary exclusively for your group — you choose the departure time, set the pace, add stops and travel with no strangers. Private tours cost more but offer far greater comfort and flexibility, and because the per-person price drops as your group grows, for families and groups of four or more a private tour is often similar in price to shared seats.
Booking is simple. Tell us your travel dates, group size, which desert you would like to visit and whether you prefer a shared or private tour through our plan-your-trip form or on WhatsApp, and our local team in Marrakech will send you a tailored desert tour and a clear fixed quote, usually within a few hours. A small deposit secures your dates and we handle everything — the vehicle, driver, desert camp, camel trek and any extras. The balance is settled at the start of your tour, and there is no obligation to book when you ask for a quote.

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