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3 Days Guided TourDesert ToursGuidedCultural Tours
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
Route: Marrakech → MarrakechDuration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
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Travel from Marrakech to Merzouga on a 3-day desert journey through the Atlas Mountains, kasbahs, valleys, gorges and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The tour includes Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, camel trekking and an overnight stay in a Sahara desert camp.
The journey combines mountain landscapes, oases, sand dunes and kasbahs with a sunset camel trek and a night in the desert under the stars.
Why You'll Love This Tour
- Visit Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains
- Travel through the Tichka Pass
- Visit Ouarzazate
- Travel through the Skoura Oasis and Valley of the Roses
- Spend one night in the Dades Valley
- Visit Todra Gorge
- Continue to Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara
- Trek by camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Watch the sunset in the Sahara
- Spend the night in a desert camp
- Enjoy dinner, breakfast, bonfire and music at the desert camp
- Take an early morning camel trek
- Return to Marrakech through southern Morocco and the Atlas Mountains
Detailed Itinerary
1
Drive: 6 to 7 hoursDay 1: Marrakech – Atlas Mountains – Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
Your journey begins with pickup from your hotel in Marrakech.
The route crosses the Atlas Mountains before descending towards Aït Ben Haddou. One source gives a departure time of 7:15 a.m., while another describes departure from Marrakech at 8:00 a.m.
You travel through the Tichka Pass, described in the sources as the highest road pass in Morocco, with views of the High Atlas Mountains, landscapes and Berber villages. Another itinerary gives the pass altitude as 2,260 metres.
Aït Ben Haddou
The first major stop is Aït Ben Haddou.
Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of kasbahs and ksars constructed in traditional earthen clay architecture. Many films have been shot there.
The itinerary includes a guided visit followed by lunch in Aït Ben Haddou.
From the upper part of the village, you can take in panoramic views of the surrounding Moroccan landscape.
Ouarzazate
Continue towards Ouarzazate.
Several blockbuster films have been filmed in the area, including The Mummy and Lawrence of Arabia. The source also refers to Ouarzazate as “The Gateway to the Desert.”
Skoura and the Valley of the Roses
The journey continues through the Skoura Oasis and the Valley of the Roses.
One itinerary describes driving along the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs, passing through Skoura Oasis and continuing towards the Valley of the Roses.
Another source describes Skoura as a large palm grove before the route crosses the Roses Valley and Todra Valley.
Dades Valley
At the end of the day, arrive in the Dades Valley.
Dinner and overnight accommodation are provided in the Dades area. One source describes the accommodation as a private guesthouse with an en-suite bathroom and a Moroccan evening dinner.
Accommodation: Private guesthouse or hotel in Dades Valley with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Dinner
2
Drive: 4 to 5 hoursDay 2: Dades Valley – Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi
After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and continue towards Todra Gorge.
Todra Gorge
Todra Gorge is surrounded by ochre-coloured cliffs.
One source states that the walls reach around 300 metres in height and narrow to approximately 20 metres apart at their narrowest point.
After visiting the gorge, continue towards Merzouga.
Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
Merzouga is described as being in the heart of the desert.
Here, you meet the camels and begin your trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes towards the Berber desert camp.
The camel ride takes place around sunset. One source describes stopping during the trek for photographs while the sun sets over the dunes.
The camel trek lasts approximately one hour, depending on the season and available daylight.
Desert Camp
At the desert camp, enjoy an evening meal before spending the night in the Sahara.
The experience includes dinner, breakfast, a bonfire and live music.
Another source describes mint tea on arrival, dinner, Berber music and time beneath the stars.
From 1 September 2025, the source states that the standard camp is no longer available and guests stay in the Deluxe Desert Camp for an additional €25 per person.
The listed Deluxe Desert Camp features are:
- Private tent with en-suite bathroom
- Comfortable beds
- Moroccan dinner
- Breakfast
- Bonfire
- Live music
Dinner and overnight in the desert camp.
Accommodation: Deluxe Desert Camp in Erg Chebbi with Private En-Suite Bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
3
Drive: Approximately 9 hoursDay 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Drâa Valley – Ouarzazate – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
Wake early to see the sun rise over the Sahara dunes.
After breakfast, begin the return journey towards Marrakech.
One itinerary describes returning through Rissani, the Drâa Valley, Nqob, Tamnougalt and Ouarzazate before crossing the Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech.
Another source describes a southern route through Alnif, N’Kob, the Drâa Valley and Agdz before reaching Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou.
Rissani
The return itinerary passes Rissani, where the source highlights Moroccan architecture including palaces and gateways.
Drâa Valley
The Drâa Valley begins near Agdz and follows an old caravan route that once connected Marrakech with Tombouctou.
The journey continues through the landscape of the Anti-Atlas Mountains before reaching Ouarzazate.
Return to Marrakech
After Ouarzazate, cross the Atlas Mountains and continue back to Marrakech.
One source gives an expected arrival time of around 8:00 p.m.
Another describes arrival around 6:00–7:00 p.m.
The exact arrival time can depend on traffic and weather conditions.
Accommodation: Drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or riad (End of service)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tour Inclusions
- ✓Free Marrakech airport arrival transfer to your hotel on the day you arrive in Marrakech
- ✓Pickup from your hotel in Marrakech
- ✓Modern air-conditioned minibus
- ✓Visit to Aït Ben Haddou
- ✓Dades Gorge Valley
- ✓Todra Gorge
- ✓One night in a hotel in the Dades Valley
- ✓Local guide at Todra Gorge
- ✓Sunset camel trek
- ✓Sunrise camel trek
- ✓One night in a comfortable tent in the desert camp
- ✓Breakfast and shower at a Merzouga hotel
- ✓Breakfasts
- ✓Evening meals
- ✓Transportation with driver from Merzouga to Marrakech
Not Included
- ✕Personal purchases
- ✕Drinks
- ✕Lunches
- ✕Tips (The source mentions a usual €3 tip for the Aït Ben Haddou guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
Merzouga is 564 km from Marrakech.
The first night is spent in the Dades Valley, Merzouga is reached on Day 2, and Day 3 is the return journey to Marrakech.
💡 Good to know:This itinerary involves long periods on the road. One of the sources estimates more than 20 hours of driving during the complete journey.
Practical Tour Details
Accommodation Notes
Private room with en-suite bathroom in the Dades Valley; private Deluxe Desert Camp tent in Erg Chebbi with en-suite bathroom and comfortable bedding.
Transportation & Driver
Modern air-conditioned minibus with professional driver from Marrakech to Merzouga and back.
Pickup & Drop-off
Complimentary Marrakech Airport arrival transfer on arrival day + pickup directly from your hotel/riad in Marrakech at departure time.
What to Bring
Small backpack for desert essentials, Sunglasses, scarf & sun hat, Comfortable walking shoes, Warm sleeping clothes in winter (temperatures can drop to 0°C), Jeans or long trousers for camel ride, Your own towel
Specialist Local Guides for This Tour
Starting Price
$260/ per person (USD)
Guided Tour • Private Experience • Flexible Pacing
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