Riads, kasbahs and hotels
Traditional houses with private room and bathroom, in the medinas or overlooking the valley.
- Private room
- Dinner and breakfast
3 Days Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga
3 days from Ouarzazate to the Merzouga desert
The south at a gentle pace: kasbahs, canyons and oases on the way to an unforgettable night in Erg Chebbi.
From €150 per person Book now
Highlights
- Amridil Kasbah
- Skoura oasis
- Kelaat M’Gouna
- Dades canyons
- Todra Gorges
- Camel trekking
- Night in the dunes
- Rissani and the Tafilalet
Trip overview
This tour spreads over three days what the two-day trip does in one. The first day is devoted to the oases and kasbahs between Ouarzazate and the Dades; the second to the canyons — we walk in both the Dades and the Todra — and the arrival in Merzouga, with camel trek and night in the camp.
The return is no mere transfer either: we drive through the palm groves of the Tafilalet, visit Rissani and come back via Alnif, on a lonely road with enormous horizons.
Ideal for: those who enjoy a short walk every day and want to see the southern valleys in detail, without having to cross the Atlas.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Home
- Ouarzazate
- End
- Ouarzazate
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Ouarzazate → Skoura oasis → Valley of Roses → Dades and Tinghir
After breakfast at your riad we head to the Amridil Kasbah and stroll through the Skoura oasis, among irrigation channels and palm trees. We pause in Kelaat M’Gouna, the rose capital, and continue via Boumalne Dades towards Tinghir. The afternoon is for enjoying the valley and the sunset over the mountains.
- Amridil Kasbah
- Walk through the Skoura palm grove
- Kelaat M’Gouna
- Boumalne Dades
- Tinghir viewpoint
-
Day2
Dades Valley → Todra Gorges → Night in the desert
We start with a walk among the canyons of the Dades. Then we move on to the Todra Gorges to discover more of the country’s most fascinating natural scenery. After lunch we head for Merzouga, where the caravan is waiting to take us to the camp.
- Hike through the Dades canyons
- Todra Gorges
- Arrival at Erg Chebbi
- Camel trekking
- Dinner and music
-
Day3
Desert → Rissani → Alnif → Ouarzazate
We enjoy the sunrise and leave the camp for the hotel in Merzouga. From there we set off in our 4x4 for the palm groves of the Tafilalet and visit Rissani, a holy city and former terminus of the caravan routes. The return to Ouarzazate passes through Alnif, Nkob and the Draa Valley.
- Sunrise in the dunes
- Palm groves of the Tafilalet
- Rissani
- Alnif and Nkob
- Draa Valley
Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
- Accommodation every night
- Dinners and breakfasts
- One camel per person in the desert
- Night in a camp with private tent
- Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
- Photo stops whenever you like
What’s not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips
Accommodation
We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.
Standard camp
Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.
- Private tent
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
Luxury camp
Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.
- Private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast
- Campfire and drums
A tip from our team
You can start this tour with an early visit to Ait Benhaddou, 30 minutes from Ouarzazate. Let us know and we will bring the departure forward.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.
Can I change the itinerary of “3 days from Ouarzazate to the Merzouga desert”?
Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.
What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?
In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.
How long is the camel trek?
About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.
How do I book and how do I pay?
Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.
When is the best time of year for this tour?
You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.
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