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 Marrakech to Merzouga Tour via Agdz & Skoura
3 days from Marrakech to the desert via Agdz and Skoura
Three days to Erg Chebbi with a different way back: the south of the oases, the kasbahs of Skoura and the Draa palm grove.
From €350 per person Book now
Highlights
- Ait Benhaddou
- Dades Valley
- Todra Gorges
- Camel trekking
- Night in the dunes
- Agdz palm grove
- Skoura oasis
- Sunrise in Erg Chebbi
- Private tour
Trip overview
This tour shares the essentials with the classic three-day route — Ait Benhaddou, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorges and the night in the Merzouga dunes — but differs on the way back. Instead of retracing our steps, we head south on a little-used road that crosses the Saghro massif and comes out in the Draa Valley at Agdz.
It is a version much loved by those who enjoy the road and wide-open landscapes: plateaus of black stone, fortified villages and, suddenly, the intense green of the palm groves. Before crossing the Atlas we make a final stop at the Skoura oasis.
Ideal for: travellers who already know the usual route or who want to see, beyond the desert, the Morocco of oases and less-visited kasbahs.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Home
- Marrakech
- End
- Marrakech
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- Every day
- Language
- English / Spanish
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day1
Marrakech → Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
We leave in the morning for the High Atlas. After the Tizi n’Tichka we turn off to Ait Benhaddou to wander its mud-brick lanes and climb to the granary that crowns the hill. We continue via Ouarzazate — with its film studios right beside the road — and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley, where we dine and sleep.
- Crossing the High Atlas
- Ksar of Ait Benhaddou
- Ouarzazate
- Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
-
Day2
Todra Gorges → Merzouga → Camel trek and night in the desert
In the first light the Dades Valley is beautiful. We drive on to Tinghir and walk for a while along the floor of the Todra Gorges, between walls that barely let you see the sky. Then the road opens out towards the desert. In Merzouga we leave our luggage, put on our turbans and set off by caravan for the camp.
- Dades Valley in the morning
- Walk through the Todra canyon
- Arrival at Erg Chebbi
- Sunset from the dunes
- Evening of Berber music
-
Day3
Merzouga → Agdz → Skoura → Marrakech
After sunrise and breakfast we take the southern road via Rissani, Alnif and Nkob, a village with dozens of kasbahs in the shadow of Jbel Saghro. At Agdz we reach the Draa Valley and its palm groves and, further on, if time allows, make a detour to the Skoura oasis. From there we cross the Atlas back to Marrakech.
- Sunrise at the camp
- Nkob and the Saghro massif
- Agdz palm groves
- Skoura oasis
- Tizi n’Tichka
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
In October and November the Draa palm groves are in the middle of the date harvest: ask your driver to stop at a roadside stall so you can try them.
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 Marrakech to the desert via Agdz and Skoura”?
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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