Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, near Ouarzazate

2 Days Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga

2-day trip from Ouarzazate to the desert

  • Private tour
  • 2 days / 1 night
  • Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate

From the gateway to the desert to the heart of Erg Chebbi in one day, and back by a different road.

From €100 per person Book now

Highlights

  • Skoura oasis
  • Valley of Roses
  • Todra Gorges
  • Camel trekking
  • Night in Erg Chebbi
  • Sunrise in the dunes
  • Rissani
  • Draa Valley

Trip overview

Starting from Ouarzazate has one big advantage: the Atlas is already behind you. With no mountain pass to cross, the day’s drive to Merzouga is far easier than from Marrakech and leaves time to stop at the Skoura palm grove, the Valley of Roses and the Todra Gorges before reaching the dunes.

You spend the night in an Erg Chebbi camp after a sunset camel trek, and return to Ouarzazate by the southern road: Rissani, Alnif and the Draa Valley. A true loop, with no scenery repeated.

Ideal for: independent travellers already in Ouarzazate who want to add the Merzouga desert in just two days.

Duration
2 days / 1 night
Home
Ouarzazate
End
Ouarzazate
Type
Private
Departures
Every day
Language
English / Spanish

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1

    Ouarzazate → Skoura oasis → Valley of Roses → Todra Gorges → Merzouga

    We leave in the morning for Skoura, whose palm grove hides the Amridil Kasbah. We continue via Kelaat M’Gouna and Boumalne to Tinghir, where we walk through the Todra Gorges. In the afternoon the road crosses the plain to Merzouga. Camel trek and arrival at the camp at sunset.

    • Amridil Kasbah and Skoura palm grove
    • Kelaat M’Gouna
    • Walk in the Todra
    • Sunset caravan
    • Berber dinner
    • Camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi
    • Dinner
    • About 6 h drive with stops
    Roses from the Valley of Roses in a wicker basket
  2. Day2

    Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate

    Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast and the camel ride back. In Rissani we take a look at the souk and continue via Alnif and Tazzarine, a land of fossils and acacias. The kasbahs begin at Nkob and the great Draa palm grove at Agdz, which we follow up to the Tizi n’Tinififft pass before descending to Ouarzazate.

    • Sunrise in Erg Chebbi
    • Rissani souk
    • Alnif and Tazzarine
    • Nkob and Agdz
    • Views of the Draa Valley
    • Tour ends at your accommodation in Ouarzazate
    • Breakfast
    • About 6–7 h drive
    Caravan of travellers among the dunes

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.

Traditional tent lit up at night in the desert

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 with rugs and lanterns in Merzouga

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

What a night in the camp is like

A tip from our team

Arriving in Ouarzazate by bus or plane? Tell us the time and we will collect you straight from the station or the airport.

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 “2-day trip from Ouarzazate to the 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

Tours from Ouarzazate
From €100 · Book now