Explore the beautiful landscapes of southern Morocco on our popular 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour. This trip takes you through the stunning High Atlas Mountains, traditional Berber villages, green oases, a night in Dades Valley, and an unforgettable evening in the Merzouga desert, home to the famous Erg Chebbi dunes.
On day one, you’ll travel through the Atlas Mountains, visit the historic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and stop by Ouarzazate before heading to Dades Valley through Skoura and the Roses Valley. On day two, you’ll visit the impressive Todra Gorges, meet Berber villagers, and enjoy a camel ride into the Sahara Desert, where you’ll spend the night in a desert camp.
Day three starts with an early morning desert sunrise, followed by breakfast and a shower before heading back to Marrakech. We also offer options to upgrade your stay, with choices for mid-range or luxury hotels and desert camps.
From your accommodation.
Start your journey by meeting your driver at your hotel or riad in Marrakech at 8:00 am. Your adventure begins as you travel south, crossing the stunning High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, the highest road pass in Morocco at 2260 meters. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of valleys, mountains, and traditional Berber villages.
As you approach Ouarzazate, you’ll stop to visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou, a well-preserved fortress and Kasbah. This famous site has appeared in several Hollywood films, like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Game of Thrones.
Continuing your journey toward the beautiful Dades Valley, passing through the villages of Mgouna and Skoura, before finally reaching Dades Valley, where you’ll spend the night.
On the second day, after a good breakfast and a refreshing shower, leave Dades in the morning. Your first stop is Todra Gorges, one of Morocco’s most stunning canyons, known for its narrow, throat-like shape. Take some time to explore and enjoy the beautiful views and the calming sound of the river flowing through the gorge.
Afterward, continue your journey to Merzouga, passing through lush palm tree oases and lovely Berber villages. You’ll drive through Erfoud, which marks the start of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet, before reaching Merzouga.
Once in Merzouga, depending on your arrival time, you can either relax or set off on a camel trek into the desert. The trek usually starts around 5:00–6:00 pm in summer and 3:00–4:00 pm in winter, lasting about an hour. When you arrive at the desert camp, enjoy the spectacular views of the Sahara dunes and the mesmerizing sunset. You’ll be greeted with traditional Moroccan tea, followed by a delicious dinner in the main tent. After dinner, enjoy local desert music around a campfire. Don’t forget to look up at the sky and admire the stunning stars. Campfires are available during the colder months (late November to mid-April) and when the weather is calm.
Rise early on the third day to catch the magnificent sunrise, should you desire. After breakfast and a shower, embark on a morning camel trek back to Merzouga, where you’ll reunite with your driver.
Continue your journey back to Marrakech, passing through various regions and diverse Berber villages like Alnif, Tazarine, and N’kob. Your route leads you to Ouarzazate, where you’ll follow the same road back to Marrakech.
Anticipate an evening arrival in Marrakech, estimated around 18:00 – 19:00, depending on your morning departure and the duration of stops along the way.
This detailed itinerary provides a comprehensive overview of your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
We were unsure about the long bus ride, but the comfort and views made it worth it. The stops were great, and the desert camp was really nice. I highly recommend Sahara travel adventures!
