Sahara Desert
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
Cross the High Atlas, walk through Aït Ben Haddou and ride a camel into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night under the Sahara stars.
- Duration
- 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Start
- Marrakech
- End
- Marrakech
- Style
- Private available
Overview
This is the classic Sahara journey from Marrakech, carefully paced so you see the most spectacular landscapes of southern Morocco without feeling rushed. You will cross the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka pass, explore the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou and follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs towards the desert.
The highlight is Erg Chebbi, a sea of orange dunes rising up to 150 metres near Merzouga. You arrive by camel at sunset and spend the evening at a desert camp with a traditional dinner, Berber music and one of the clearest night skies you will ever see.
- Multi-Day
- Sahara
- Private
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Explore the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
- Drive through the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Overnight in a Sahara desert camp
- Sunrise over the dunes
Itinerary
- Day1
Marrakech to the Dades Valley
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Ben Haddou → Dades Valley
We pick you up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech early in the morning and head south towards the High Atlas Mountains. The road climbs through Berber villages and walnut groves to the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres, where you can stop for photographs of the valleys below.
After descending the southern slopes, we visit Aït Ben Haddou, a fortified village of earthen houses that has featured in films such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You will have time to walk up through its narrow lanes to the granary at the top for panoramic views.
In the afternoon we continue past Ouarzazate and through the Valley of Roses before arriving in the Dades Valley, where you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel overlooking the gorge.
- High Atlas Mountains
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Ouarzazate
- Valley of Roses
- Meals
- Dinner
- Stay
- Hotel in the Dades Valley
- Driving
- Approx. 7–8 hours with stops
- Day2
Into the Sahara
Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Merzouga
After breakfast we drive to the Todra Gorge, where limestone cliffs rise up to 300 metres on either side of a clear river. Take a short walk through the narrowest part of the canyon before continuing east through palm oases and small desert towns.
In the late afternoon we reach Merzouga at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here you meet your camel guide and ride into the dunes as the sand turns gold, then copper, then deep red with the setting sun.
At camp you are welcomed with mint tea, followed by a traditional dinner and an evening of Berber drumming around the fire. The night sky here is exceptionally clear.
- Todra Gorge
- Tinghir palm oasis
- Camel trek at sunset
- Desert camp
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
- Stay
- Sahara desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Driving
- Approx. 5–6 hours with stops
- Day3
Sunrise and return to Marrakech
Merzouga → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Wake up early to watch the sunrise from the top of a dune — a quiet, unforgettable moment. After breakfast at camp, you ride back to Merzouga by camel and meet your driver.
The return journey to Marrakech is long but scenic, crossing the Draa and Ouarzazate regions before climbing back over the High Atlas. We stop for lunch and breaks along the way and drop you at your accommodation in the evening.
- Sahara sunrise
- Anti-Atlas landscapes
- High Atlas crossing
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Driving
- Approx. 9–10 hours with stops
Included / Not included
Included
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned transport with fuel
- Experienced local driver
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Breakfast and dinner on overnight stays
- Camel trek to the desert camp
- Night in a Sahara desert camp
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and kasbahs
- Local guides in cities (available on request)
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Accommodation
One night in a comfortable hotel in the Dades Valley and one night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi. Standard and luxury camp options are available — luxury tents include private bathrooms.
Transportation
Private, air-conditioned vehicle (4x4, minivan or car depending on group size) with an experienced English- or Spanish-speaking driver. Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off are included.
Route map
Drag, zoom and tap the markers to explore every stop on this route.
Stops on this route
Tour questions
The distances are significant, but the journey is broken up with regular stops for photos, meals and short walks. If you prefer a slower pace, the 4-day version adds an extra night.
Tours
