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If you are looking for a rich desert experience with the locals, this 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is the best choice for you. It takes you through the High Atlas Mountains, where you will enjoy the views of the mountains and traditional Berber villages. You will visit the historic Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and walk through the grand canyons of Todra Gorges.
In Merzouga, you will ride a camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in a desert Berber camp, where you will enjoy traditional food and music.
The tour includes private transportation, two nights of accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, a sunset camel ride, sandboarding and a private ensuite desert tent.
The 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour starts by picking you up at 8 am from your accommodation in Marrakech. On our way to Dades, where you will spend the first night, we will visit historical and natural attractions.
First of all, we will drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, where you will discover traditional Berber villages and take photos of the mountains. Here, we will make a stop at an altitude of 2260 m
Next, we will visit the fortress, or the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After exploring the kasbah, we will continue our way to Ouarzazate, known as the gate to the desert or Hollywood of Africa, where you will see the famous Atlas Film Studios. This is an optional visit only when requested and has a separate entrance fee.
We will then drive through the beautiful Skoura Oasis and into the Roses Valley, known for its rose fields and cooperatives that make products. In the afternoon, we will continue to Dades, where we will visit the rock formations known as the Monkey Toes.
Dinner and overnight stay in a riad in Dades.
We will continue our tour to the desert after breakfast at your hotel in Dades. First, we will drive through Tinghir and head to the grand canyons of Todra Gorges, where the high limestone cliffs rise up to 300 meters. You will have about half an hour to walk along the river and take photos.
After lunch in Tinejdad or Ksar Mellab, we will head towards the Merzouga Desert. Around 4 pm, we will arrive, and you will ride the camels over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The trek is around 40 minutes excluding stops. Alternatively, you can take a free 4×4 transfer to the camp.
When you arrive at the camp, you will check in, have a glass of tea, and then you can walk up the sand to watch the sunset.
After dinner, you will enjoy the Berber music before you can walk up the dunes again to watch the stars.
On the last day of our 3-day tour from Marrakech, it is recommended to wake up early to catch the sunrise over the dunes. You can take sandboards or choose to do optional sunrise activities like quad biking before heading back to the camp for breakfast.
After breakfast, we will drive back to Marrakech. Along the way, we will pass through the villages of Alnif and Nkob, then follow the scenic Draa Valley, known for its endless palm groves.
We will stop for lunch along the way and continue through the Atlas Mountains to reach Marrakech. Upon arrival, we will drop you off at your hotel, marking the end of our tour.
Merzouga All-Inclusive Glamping (Standard tent category)
Merzouga All-Inclusive Glamping (Superior tent category)
The accommodations shown are examples of the properties we usually use. You may choose one complete accommodation category or mix accommodations from Options 1, 2, and 3 according to your preferences and budget.
All properties are subject to availability at the time of booking. If one of the listed accommodations is unavailable, we will provide a similar alternative of the same category and standard.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
This private 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is suitable for couples, families with children, groups of friends, solo travelers, and travelers of different ages who are comfortable with several hours of driving. No special level of fitness is required, as the sightseeing walks are generally easy and the itinerary can be adjusted to your pace. The camel ride is optional, and travelers who prefer not to ride can reach the desert camp by 4×4 at no additional cost.
Please note that the final journey from Merzouga to Marrakech is a long travel day, with approximately 8–10 hours of driving excluding lunch and rest stops. This itinerary is ideal for travelers with limited time who still want to experience the Erg Chebbi dunes. For a slower and more relaxed journey, consider our 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour or 5-day Marrakech desert tour, which allow more time for sightseeing, activities, and breaks along the route.
The 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is private.
The Price of this 3-Day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga starts from 150 euros per person for a group of 10 to 17 people. The price varies depending on the number of travelers, accommodation type, and travel season. Please feel free to contact us for a free quote!
The tent in the desert camp is private with a private bathroom, shower, and AC.
The camel ride is about 40 minutes over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Travelers who do not wish to ride a camel can reach the desert camp by 4×4 at no additional cost. Please inform us in advance so that we can arrange the transfer.
Day 1 covers approximately 330 km from Marrakech to Dades Valley, with around 6–7 hours of driving. Day 2 covers approximately 270 km from Dades to Merzouga, with around 4.5–5 hours of driving. Day 3 is the longest, covering approximately 560 km from Merzouga to Marrakech, with around 8–10 hours of driving excluding lunch and rest stops.
Three days are enough to reach Merzouga, experience the Erg Chebbi dunes, enjoy a camel ride, and spend a night in a desert camp. However, the final return to Marrakech is a long travel day. Travelers who prefer a slower pace should consider our 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour or 5-day Marrakech desert tour.
