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 Marrakech to Merzouga
3 days from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert
Our most requested tour: three days to cross the Atlas, explore the gorges of the south and sleep among the great dunes of the Sahara.
From €150 per person Book now
Highlights
- Erg Chebbi dunes
- Camel trekking
- Night in a desert camp
- Ait Benhaddou
- Todra Gorges
- Sunrise in the Sahara
- Dinner and drums
- Valley of Roses
- Tinghir oasis
- Private tour
Trip overview
You can see a great deal in three days if the route is well planned. This is the one we run most often and know best: it leaves Marrakech, crosses the High Atlas, stops at the kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and spends the night in the Dades Gorges, between walls of red rock. The second day passes through the Todra canyon and the Tinghir oasis before reaching Merzouga.
That is where the part everyone remembers begins: the caravan moving through the dunes as evening falls, dinner at the camp and the absolute silence of the night. On the third day, after sunrise, we return to Marrakech by a different road so the scenery never repeats.
Ideal for: first-time visitors to Morocco who want the full Merzouga desert experience on a short break from Marrakech.
- 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 → Dades Gorges
At 8 am we leave Marrakech and begin climbing through the High Atlas to the Tizi n’Tichka, at 2,260 metres. On the southern side the road descends past Berber hamlets strung along the river to Ait Benhaddou, the earthen ksar that has been the backdrop to so many films. After the visit we continue via Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dades gorge.
- Tizi n’Tichka viewpoints
- Visit to the ksar of Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO)
- Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove
- Kelaat M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses
-
Day2
Dades → Tinghir → Todra Gorges → Rissani → Merzouga
We start the day among the curious rock formations of the Dades and continue to Tinghir, whose palm grove hides the entrance to the Todra Gorges: a fault with sheer 300-metre walls that you walk through beside the river. In the afternoon we cross the stony desert via Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga, where we ride camels into Erg Chebbi and reach the camp at sunset.
- Walk through the Todra Gorges
- Viewpoint over the Tinghir palm grove
- Rissani, former capital of the Tafilalet
- Sunset caravan
- Berber dinner and music by the fire
-
Day3
Merzouga → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Sunrise in the desert is hard to put into words: the sand changes colour and the only sound is the wind. We ride back to Merzouga for a shower and breakfast, then set off on the return via Alnif and Nkob, between volcanic mountains and palm groves, to the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate. A final crossing of the Atlas brings us back to Marrakech at nightfall.
- Sunrise from the dunes
- Camel ride back and breakfast
- Landscapes of Jbel Saghro
- Ouarzazate and 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
The third day is a long one. If your flight leaves that same night, it is better to book it for the following day, or ask us about the 4-day version, which splits the return into two stages.
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 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.
Other tours you may like
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2-day trip from Marrakech to Zagora
Cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Benhaddou and sleep in a camp in the Zagora desert, a day’s drive from Marrakech.
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2 days from Marrakech to Fez via the desert
The fastest way to link Marrakech and Fez without giving up a night in the Merzouga dunes.
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3 days from Marrakech to the desert via Agdz and Skoura
A variation on the 3-day Merzouga tour, returning through the palm groves of Agdz and the Skoura oasis.
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