Explore Morocco’s Sahara on a 3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech. Travel through the Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Ben Haddou, ride camels in Merzouga, and spend a night in a desert camp.
- 3 Days/ 2 Nights
- Start in Marrakech
- Ends in Marrakech
3 Days Merzouga Desert Tour From Marrakech Overview
The 3 Days Merzouga Desert Tour from Marrakech is a short yet unforgettable journey that takes you from the bustling city of Marrakech to the heart of the Sahara Desert. Traveling through the High Atlas Mountains, ancient kasbahs, and dramatic valleys, you’ll reach the golden dunes of Merzouga where you’ll enjoy a camel trek and an overnight stay in a desert camp under the stars. This tour combines scenic drives, cultural stops, and authentic desert experiences, making it an ideal choice for travelers with limited time who want to experience Morocco’s iconic landscapes.
Tour Highlights:
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Exploration of traditional Berber villages and desert towns
- Walk through the stunning Todra Gorge and Dades Valley landscapes
- Camel trek across the golden sand dunes of Merzouga
- Overnight stay in a Sahara desert camp under the stars
- Experience breathtaking sunset and sunrise over the dunes
- Enjoy traditional Moroccan dinner and local music in the desert
3 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech Itinerary
This 3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech itinerary is designed to give you a complete Sahara experience in a short time, combining scenic drives, cultural landmarks, and unforgettable desert moments. Below is the detailed day-by-day plan, highlighting the key stops, activities, and experiences you’ll enjoy along the journey from Marrakech to Merzouga and back.
Day 1 : Marrakech - Tizi n' Tichka - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley
Your 3-day desert tour begins with an early departure from Marrakech, heading south through the High Atlas Mountains. The drive takes you over the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest mountain pass in Morocco, offering panoramic views of Berber villages, terraced fields, and dramatic mountain landscapes along the way. Several stops are made to enjoy the scenery and take photos.
Continuing the journey, you arrive at the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most iconic landmarks. After exploring the ancient clay village, the tour continues to Ouarzazate, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” where you may pass by the Atlas Film Studios and the historic Kasbah Taourirt.
In the afternoon, the road leads through the Valley of Roses and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs toward the Dades Valley. Here, you’ll enjoy views of lush oases, rock formations, and traditional kasbahs before reaching your hotel in the Dades Valley, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night surrounded by the peaceful mountain scenery.
Day 2 : Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Erfoud - Merzouga desert and camel trek
After breakfast in the Dades Valley, the journey continues toward the impressive Todra Gorges, a dramatic canyon with towering limestone cliffs rising hundreds of meters above a crystal-clear river. You’ll have time to walk through the gorge, enjoy the fresh air, and take photos of one of Morocco’s most spectacular natural sites.
The tour then heads east through palm-filled oases and traditional desert towns, passing through Tinghir and reaching Erfoud, a town known for its fossils and date products. Here, the landscape begins to change as rocky terrain gives way to open desert, signaling your approach to the Sahara.
In the afternoon, you arrive in Merzouga, at the edge of the vast Erg Chebbi dunes. From here, you’ll begin a memorable camel trek across the golden sands, timed to catch the sunset over the dunes. The ride leads you to a desert camp where you’ll enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, local music around the campfire, and an overnight stay under the star-filled Sahara sky.
Day 3: Merzouga desert - Agdez - Ouarzazatte - Marrakech
You’ll start the day early in the Merzouga Desert to witness a beautiful sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast at the camp. Afterward, you’ll ride camels back to Merzouga village or transfer by 4×4, where your journey back to Marrakech begins through changing desert and mountain landscapes.
The return drive passes through the town of Rissani before continuing along the scenic Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river valley, lined with thousands of palm trees and traditional kasbahs. A stop is made in Agdez to admire the lush oasis and enjoy a short break along the route.
In the afternoon, you pass through Ouarzazate once again before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. By evening, you arrive back in Marrakech, marking the end of your 3-day Merzouga Desert Tour filled with unforgettable landscapes and authentic Sahara experiences.
Marrakech Desert Tour 3 Days Price
The price of the 3 Days Marrakech Desert Tour depends on several factors, including the number of travelers in your group, the type of accommodation selected, and whether you choose a private or shared tour. For an exact quote tailored to your needs, please contact us by filling out the form below, and we’ll be happy to provide you with detailed pricing and availability.
Tour Includes & Excludes:
What’s Included in the Price:
Private transportation for 3 days in a comfortable 4×4 or air-conditioned minivan, including fuel
Pick-up and drop-off from your riad or any location in Marrakech
Dedicated private driver/guide who speaks English
One overnight stay in a high-quality hotel or traditional riad
One overnight stay in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga with a private bathroom
Camel trek experience (one camel per person), with a 4WD transfer option available if preferred
Sandboarding equipment provided at the desert camp
Daily dinners and breakfasts
What’s Not Included:
Lunch meals and beverages
Tour Map
Know Before You Go:
Before starting your journey, keep in mind that this tour involves long driving days as we cross the High Atlas Mountains and southern Morocco. We make regular stops along the way for photos, rest breaks, and meals, but some patience is helpful. Comfortable clothing and good walking shoes are recommended, especially for exploring kasbahs, gorges, and desert areas.
In the desert, temperatures can vary significantly between day and night, depending on the season. We recommend bringing layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection, as well as a small backpack for essentials during the camel ride or 4WD transfer to the camp. Luggage is transported separately, so you’ll only need a small overnight bag for the desert night.
Lunches and drinks are not included in the tour, giving you the flexibility to choose meals that suit your taste along the route. Most stops accept cash in Moroccan dirhams, so having some local currency is useful. If you have dietary requirements or prefer the 4WD transfer instead of the camel ride, please let us know in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.