Tour details
$350
Tour Overview
Experience a trip of a lifetime with our 3-day Marrakech Desert Tour, leaving the buzz of Marrakech behind. In three enveloping days, you will be entranced with the unrivaled beauty of the Sahara Desert: golden dunes that stretch on forever, and the sun creates colorful canvases at sunset and sunrise.
This private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech is an ideal blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. You will ride camels across the spellbinding Erg Chebbi dunes and feel it uproot you to the melody of the stunning desert. You will also spend a night under the stars in a luxury desert camp with all the comforts, so you can relax to the sounds of traditional Berber music and feast on traditional Moroccan cuisine.
You will be immersed in this extraordinary experience as you visit the High Atlas Mountains, discover Berber villages, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, and the magnificent Todra Gorges. At each stop on your adventure, you will be able to see yet another beautiful and transformative angle to Morocco’s heritage and beauty. Wherever you put the focus—on action, stillness, or cultural discovery—your 3-day Marrakech desert tour will leave you with lasting memories!
3-Day Desert Tour Itinerary: From Marrakech to Merzouga
01
DAY 01 - Marrakech → High Atlas Mountains → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades Valley
Kick off your 3-day Marrakech desert trip with an 8:00 am pick-up from your riad or wherever you are in Marrakesh. We will leave the city and go through the High Atlas mountains to Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, which is 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) over sea level. We will stop along the way to check out some beautiful Berber villages.
We will visit the well-known Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, which is an old fortified village located in southwestern Morocco with some wonderful and unique Moroccan architectural styles and features. This Kasbah has been featured in numerous famous movies, including Kingdom of Heaven, produced in 2005; Babel, produced in 2006; Prince of Persia, produced in 2010; Game of Thrones, produced in 2012; and again in 2020 with the David Attenborough documentary titled David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet. You will have a good amount of time to look around this historic Kasbah.
Afterward, we will stop for a tasty lunch and then head south along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" to Dades Valley while passing through places such as Ouarzazate, Skoura, and the Valley of Roses in Kalaat M'Gouna. We expect to arrive at Dades Valley sometime in the afternoon, and if there is enough time, we may even take you to see some nice rock formations, which are called the monkey fingers. If not, we will take you to see one of the special sites the next day. You will spend the night in a comfortable hotel of your choice.
- Drive: Marrakech to Dades Valley - approx. 350 km (around 6-7 hours)
02
DAY 02 - Dades Valley → Todra Gorges → Merzouga → Sunset Camel Ride & Desert Camp
On the second day of your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, the day starts with breakfast. We will travel to Tineghir and stop at a viewpoint that looks out over beautiful Berber villages and an oasis filled with palm trees. Close to the oasis is Toudgha Gorge, a canyon that is about 300 meters high. We will visit and walk under the canyon before continuing on to the Merzouga desert.
When we arrive in the afternoon in Merzouga, you will begin a camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes. You will ride camels into the dunes and stop at a high dune for a beautiful sunset over the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
After the sunset, you will continue on your camel ride to the camp, where a warm welcome and tea await. You will have time to freshen up and relax. Enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner before sitting around the campfire with Berber friends who will play drums and tell stories under a star-filled sky. You will spend the night in the luxury camp of your choice.
- Drive: Boumalne Dades to Merzouga – approx. 312 km (around 5 hours)
03
DAY 03 - Merzouga → Tazzarine → Agdz → Ouarzazate → Return to Marrakech
We highly recommend setting an early alarm to witness the majestic sunrise from the closest high dune to the campsite. After breakfast, return to Merzouga town either on your camel or in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle. From there, we will head back towards Marrakech, taking an alternate route along the Draa River, the longest river in Morocco, which measures 1100 km.
Feel free to ask your driver to make stops whenever you request. We will stop for lunch in Ouarzazate as we travel back to Marrakech through the High Atlas mountains. We will drop you off at your chosen accommodation at the end of this 3-day Marrakech desert tour.
- Drive: Merzouga to Marrakech – approx. 570 km (around 9 hours)
Highlights of the Marrakech to Merzouga 3 Day Desert Tour
- ● Drive through the impressive High Atlas Mountains.
- ● Visit a local Berber village and older Kasbahs.
- ● Visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site with a wonderful legacy as the setting for many famous movies.
- ● Visit the ancient town of Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa".
- ● Visit the stunning Todra Gorges and Dades Valley.
- ● Take a memorable sunset camel ride into the Merzouga desert, where you will spend the night in a traditional desert camp enjoying music and food.
- ● Wake up to a beautiful sunrise in the desert before hiking back to Merzouga.
- ● Try your hand at sand surfing or driving a 4x4 through the desert.
- ● Make your way back to Marrakech through the lovely Draa Valley, which is Morocco's longest river valley
Inclusions & Exclusions of Your 3-Day Desert Tour
- Private modern transportation with A/C Yes
- Car Fuel Yes
- Pick-up from your accommodation Yes
- English-speaking driver with prior experience Yes
- A night at a private tent in the desert camp Yes
- 1 Night in a private room in Dades Valley Hotel Yes
- Camel trek in the Sahara desert Yes
- 1 Night in a Private Room at a Dades Valley Hotel Yes
- ( Dinner & Breakfast ) x2 Yes
- Camel trek in the Sahara desert Yes
- Sandboarding in the dunes Yes
- Beverages & Lunches No
- Entrance to monuments (Optional) No
- Leaving a tip (Optional) No
Accommodation Details: Comfortable & Authentic Stays
Carefully selected lodgings ensure comfort and authenticity throughout your 3-day Marrakech desert tour. Accommodations may be adjusted based on availability, and upgrades are available upon request.
- Night 1 – Boumalne Dades:
- Standard: Hotel Babylon / Hotel Panorama / Riad Villa Dades – Comfortable accommodations with authentic decor and scenic valley views.
- Superior: Kasbah Xaluca Dades / Ksar Sultan / La Perle Du Dades – Refined kasbahs with pools, spa treatments, and magnificent views of the Dades Gorges and rock formations.
- Night 2 – Merzouga Desert Camp:
- Standard: Comfortable Berber tents with private beds, private bathrooms, and traditional Moroccan dinner and breakfast included.
- Superior: Luxury desert camp with en-suite tents, hot showers, air conditioning (on request), and candlelit dinners under the stars.
Pricing & Group Options for the 3-Day Desert Tour
Choose the group size that fits your travel style. Pricing includes transport, accommodations, and all listed activities on your 3-day Morocco desert tour. Custom pricing is available for solo travelers, families, or larger groups.
- 2 People €480 per person
- 4 People €450 per person
- 6+ People €400 per person
- Custom Pricing Available for solo travelers, families, or larger groups
Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Route Map
Reviews & Testimonials
What our travelers say about their experiences
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing three-day trip!!!
"It was an incredible experience, and we had everything we wanted to try a little bit of everything, so we had a really good overview of Morocco and the culture. Our guide, Idir, was really knowledgeable and very patient with us, and we never felt rushed; he allowed us to spend time with the experiences when we needed! Thank you so much, Ibrahim and Idir, for a lovely time in Morocco! We enjoyed it so much, and we are happy to refer this tour to our family and friends that want to visit this beautiful country."
5 out of 5 stars
The best trip of my life!!!
"I can’t imagine experiencing Morocco in any other way. Our guide was Mohamed—he was wonderful! We rode camels through the Sahara from Fes to Merzouga, staying in some of the most luxurious tents I have ever seen. The night was full of amazing food and a campfire with traditional Berber music (no phones or technology, just the drums, laughter, and the stars). We visited fossil factories and kasbahs and experienced spectacular views on the route..."
5 out of 5 stars
Highlight of our Morocco trip!
"We did the 3-day, 2-night tour from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert and had THE BEST TIME! Mohamed was a fabulous guide, picking excellent photo spots, explaining history, and sharing jokes. Highlights included trekking into the desert on camels, staying in a beautiful hotel in Dades Gorge, and enjoying Berber music and warm hospitality. It was truly an unforgettable experience!."
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect from start to finish!
"We had a wonderful time on this tour. Muhammad was on top of his game, a wonderful guide—knowledgeable, kind, and fun. The camel trekking was beautiful, and the night sky in the desert was unforgettable. The camp staff was wonderful, friendly, and entertaining. The second day had incredible scenic spots, including a comfortable hotel. Highly recommend!."
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our Marrakech Desert Tour. Whether you're wondering about logistics, comfort, or what's included, we've got you covered.
Day 1 goes from Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, visits Ait Ben Haddou, continues to Ouarzazate, passes Skoura and the Rose Valley, and stays overnight in Boumalne Dades.
Day 2 visits the Dades Valley and Todra Gorges, then continues to Merzouga for a sunset camel trek and an overnight stay in a luxury desert camp.
Day 3 includes a sunrise, then travel via Rissani and the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate and back to Marrakech.
Day 2 visits the Dades Valley and Todra Gorges, then continues to Merzouga for a sunset camel trek and an overnight stay in a luxury desert camp.
Day 3 includes a sunrise, then travel via Rissani and the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate and back to Marrakech.
The tour includes about 6 hours of driving on Day 1, about 5 hours on Day 2, and about 9 hours on Day 3 to return to Marrakech. Actual times can vary based on stops and road conditions.
Yes. On Day 2, you switch to camels in Merzouga, watch the sunset from a dune, and then continue to a luxury desert camp for dinner and an overnight stay. The page also mentions Berber drum music around the campfire.
Yes. The tour can end at Errachidia airport if the 9-hour drive back to Marrakech feels too long (flight not included).
It also offers an option to finish in Fes instead of Marrakech via this link:
3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga.
Key stops include Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah (UNESCO), Ouarzazate, Skoura palm grove, Rose Valley, Dades Valley viewpoints, Todra Gorges, Merzouga dunes, Rissani souk, and the Draa Valley.
