Tour Details
From €200 per person
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Departure: Marrakech
Return: Marrakech
Tour Type: Shared Group
Distance: ~1,218 km
Total journey
Drive Time: ~20 hours
over 3 days
Camel Trek: 1 hour
Erg Chebbi dunes
Desert Camp: 1 night
Luxury Berber tent
Why Choose This Shared Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour?
- • 3-day shared group tour from Marrakech to Merzouga for small groups.
- • Price: €120–€200 per person, depending on season and accommodation.
- • Route includes High Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley, Todra Gorges, and Erg Chebbi dunes.
- • Includes 1 night in a Dades Valley hotel and 1 night in a luxury desert camp.
- • Camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes with sunset and sunrise experiences.
- • Luggage transported by 4×4; only a small backpack is needed for the camel ride.
Tour Overview
Our 3-day shared desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is a wonderful opportunity to see Morocco's stunning natural beauty and rich cultural history in only a few days. Travel through the High Atlas Mountains, see the old Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and take in the beautiful green valleys and craggy gorges before you get to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert.
Enjoy a full desert experience: ride camels over the dunes, see a beautiful sunset and sunrise, stargaze from your Berber desert camp, and eat authentic Moroccan food under the desert sky.
This group tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is a fun and cheap way to travel with other people who share your interests. This is the perfect three-day trip to the desert for people who are short on time or money, and you won't have to give up comfort or real experiences.
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Itinerary
01
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
Our shared 3-day excursion from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert group departs at 08:00 AM from Marrakesh. To start off, we will drive through the High Atlas Mountains and along one of the main former Trans-Saharan trade routes. During the route, we will have multiple stops along the way to see some traditional Berber villages and enjoy panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains.
The first stop will be at Ait Ben Haddou village for a lovely lunch. After lunch we will explore Morocco's most popular kasbah (fortified village). The Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah has been used to make many popular films & series, such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones.
After our Ait Ben Haddou visit, we will continue to Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate is known as the gateway into the Sahara Desert. Ouarzazate is also referred to as the Hollywood of Africa. Here, we will stop in the Atlas Studio to snap some pictures from outside, then we will proceed to Dades Valley, passing through the Rose Valley in Kalaat M'Gouna.
We will arrive in Dades Valley in the afternoon; here we will be visiting the strange rock formations in the area, often described as monkey toes, continuing to Morocco's most famous zigzag road with a beautiful view.
- Drive: Marrakesh to Dades Gorges - approx. 351 km (around 6 hr 15 mins)
02
Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga Desert
Following a delicious breakfast at your hotel, we will head to the desert. We will stop at a stunning oasis at Tinghir and hike beneath the 300-meter-high Todra Canyon along the way. For lunch, we will stop at a restaurant along the way.
In the afternoon, upon arriving at Erg Chebbi, we will cross the massive sand dunes by camel to reach your luxury desert camp. We will stop along the way at a tall dune for a spectacular orange sunset and perhaps some sandboarding. After viewing the sunset, we will continue with our camel treks to our luxury camp.
Upon arrival at the camp, our staff will welcome you with a cup of tea and then take you through your private luxury tent, where you can take a shower and prepare for dinner. After dinner, the staff will start a campfire and play some Berber music. After the music, you can take part in either learning how to play the drums, sharing our Berber culture, or looking at the stars in the night sky and cooling off. Then, you can sleep in your private tent.
- Drive: Boumalne to Merzouga - approx. 311 km (around 5 hr 10 mins)
03
Day 3: Merzouga Desert – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
Rise early to see the spectacular sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast in the camp, you will return to the village of Merzouga and then depart for Marrakech with a few stops along the road. Drive across the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N'tichka Pass (2260 meters above sea level) to the red city of Marrakech after lunch. End of our 3-day shared Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour.
- Drive: Erg Chebbi to Marrakech - approx. 556 km (around 9 hr 20 mins)
Highlights of the Shared Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
- ● Drive across the marvelous High Atlas Mountains and breathtaking panoramic views.
- ● Visit authentic Berber villages in the High Atlas Mountains.
- ● Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah.
- ● Spend a night in a charming and cozy hotel in the beautiful Dades Valley.
- ● Walk underneath dramatic cliffs in Todra Gorges, one of the most spectacular canyons in the country.
- ● Enjoy an unforgettable camel ride across golden dunes at Erg Chebbi.
- ● Witness a spectacular sunset from a high dune in the desert.
- ● Try the thrilling activity of sandboarding on top of the dunes.
- ● Enjoy vibrant Berber music around the campfire in the desert.
- ● Look at the brilliant star-filled sky of the Sahara Desert.
What's Included & Not Included
- Private, modern transportation with air conditioning
- Car fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- 1 Night in a hotel in Dades Valley
- 1 Night in a private tent in the desert camp
- Dinner and breakfast included for 2 nights
- Camel ride in the Sahara Desert
- Sandboarding experience in the desert
- Beverages
- Lunches
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (optional)
Accommodation During the Tour
Carefully selected lodgings ensure comfort and authenticity throughout the shared desert tour. Accommodations may be adjusted based on availability, and upgrades are available upon request.
Night 1: Dades Valley Hotel
- Standard: Hotel Babylon Dades / Riad Villa Dades / Hotel Panorama – 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 Luxury 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
The 3-day Shared Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour starts at €120–€200 per person. Prices may vary depending on factors such as the number of people in your group, the type of accommodation selected, and the season of travel. Generally, the larger your group, the lower the price per person.
- 2 People €200 per person
- 4 People €160 per person
- 6+ People €120 per person
- Flexible Rates: Couples, Families & Groups on this Shared 3-Day Desert Tour
Route Map
Traveler Reviews & Testimonials
Read what travelers say about this unforgettable Morocco adventure
Highly Recommend This Desert Tour
"As first-time visitors to Morocco, this group tour was the perfect way to see the incredible landscapes and culture of the country. The group was small and friendly. The guide was excellent and was always ready to answer questions and share stories. The camel ride, sunset, and desert camp were all amazing. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who does not have much time but wants to see the best of Morocco."
Great Value and Comfort
"This tour was a fantastic value for money. The overall route was well thought out and included stops at some iconic sites, such as Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorges, and the dunes of the Sahara. The accommodation was comfortable, and the food was excellent. The highlights were the camel ride and the desert camp, and the staff made us feel comfortable the entire time. A wonderful way to experience the beauty and culture of Morocco."
A Journey of a Lifetime
"This was the trip of a lifetime from the High Atlas Mountains to the gorgeous sand dunes of Merzouga. The itinerary was perfect with many stops to gaze at beautiful views and take photos. The accommodation was comfortable, and the staff at the desert camp were so accommodating. The camel ride and stargazing were honestly the highlights. An unforgettable adventure!"
Unforgettable Desert Trip
"This was the highlight of our trip in Morocco. The camel trek at sunset was magical, and the desert camp was an unforgettable experience under the stars. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and ensured we enjoyed ourselves at every stop along the way. The food was incredible, and the trip was well organized. I would highly recommend it if you want the best of Morocco in a couple days!"
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our shared Morocco desert tour. Whether you're wondering about logistics, comfort, or what's included, we've got you covered.
The shared Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour lasts 3 days and 2 nights. You start in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas Mountains, and visit Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Skoura, and Dades or Tinghir on day one.
On day two, you continue through the Todra Gorges and several Berber villages before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga for a camel ride and desert camp stay.
On the third day, you return to Marrakech via the Tizi N'tichka Pass and the High Atlas. Driving times range from about 5 to 9 hours per day, with stops for sightseeing along the way.
On day two, you continue through the Todra Gorges and several Berber villages before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga for a camel ride and desert camp stay.
On the third day, you return to Marrakech via the Tizi N'tichka Pass and the High Atlas. Driving times range from about 5 to 9 hours per day, with stops for sightseeing along the way.
The tour includes modern, air-conditioned transportation with fuel, pickup in Marrakech, one night in a private room at a Dades Valley hotel, one night in a private tent at a desert camp, two dinners, two breakfasts, a camel trek in the Sahara, and drum music around the campfire. Beverages, lunches, monument entrance fees, tips, and optional activities like ATV quad tours are not included in the base price.
You pay these additional costs on-site, according to your preferences.
You pay these additional costs on-site, according to your preferences.
Yes, camel trekking is included in the tour. The camel ride to the camp usually takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can reach the desert camp by 4×4 vehicle instead.
Night 1 is in a comfortable hotel in the Dades Valley (private room with breakfast and dinner). Night 2 is in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga with private tents, beds, bathrooms, dinner, and breakfast. Upgrades to superior accommodations are available upon request.
Yes, dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.) can be accommodated. Please inform us at the time of booking, and we will arrange suitable meals for you.
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