3 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga (Private)

Overview

About this tour

Three days, one unforgettable loop. This is the tour most of our guests choose for a first taste of the real Sahara: over the High Atlas, along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and deep into the tall orange dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Your private driver sets an easy pace with plenty of photo stops. You will see both the sunset and the sunrise in the dunes, sleep in our desert camp in Merzouga and return to Marrakech through the palm-lined Draa Valley.

3 Days Morocco Desert Tour — private tour from Marrakech

Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga

View over the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Tour highlights

Tizi n'Tichka pass and Berber mountain villages
Aït Ben Haddou, the famous film-set kasbah
The rose valley of Kalaat M'Gouna and Dades 'monkey fingers' rocks
Walk inside the 300-metre walls of Todra Gorge
Camel trek and sunset on the Erg Chebbi dunes
Return via the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate

Your route

Marrakech
Dades Valley
Merzouga
Ouarzazate
Marrakech

Day by day

Itinerary

Day1 Marrakech → High Atlas → Aït Ben Haddou → Dades Valley

We collect you at 8:00 am and head into the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. After a stop in the mountain villages, you explore the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, backdrop to Gladiator and Game of Thrones. The afternoon follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate, the Skoura oasis and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Gorges, where dinner is waiting.

Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
Dinner

Day2 Dades Valley → Tinghir → Todra Gorge → Merzouga

After breakfast we drive to Tinghir for a panoramic view over its palm oasis, then walk between the towering walls of Todra Gorge. Continue through Alnif and Rissani to Merzouga. Late afternoon, mount your camel for a trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, pausing on a high crest for sunset. At camp: mint tea, a tagine dinner and Berber drumming by the fire.

Desert camp, Merzouga
Breakfast, Dinner

Day3 Merzouga → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate → Marrakech

Climb a dune at dawn for the sunrise, then ride back by camel (or 4x4) for breakfast and a shower. The long drive home takes a different route via the Draa Valley and Agdz, with a stop in front of Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate before we cross the Atlas. Drop-off at your hotel in Marrakech in the evening.

End of tour — drop-off
Breakfast

What's included

Price includes & excludes

Included

Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minivan) with fuel
English-speaking driver-guide for the whole journey
Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad or airport)
2 nights of accommodation in hotels, riads and kasbahs
1 night in our desert camp in Merzouga
Camel trek into the dunes at sunset
Breakfasts and dinners as shown in the itinerary

Not included

Lunches and drinks
Entrance fees to monuments and museums
Local city guides (optional — we can arrange them)
Optional activities such as quad bikes or sandboarding
Tips for your driver and camp staff
Flights and travel insurance

Where you sleep

Night 1Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
Night 2Desert camp, Merzouga

Practical information

Good to know

Private & flexible

Only your group travels in the vehicle. Ask your driver to stop for photos whenever you like, and tell us if you want to change the route or add days.

Your desert camp

Our camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes has comfortable tents with real beds and blankets. Your big luggage stays in the 4x4 — take a small bag for the night.

What to pack

Sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for the wind, comfortable shoes and a warm layer: desert nights are cold from November to March.

Best time to travel

October to May is ideal. In summer we start early and rest at midday to avoid the heat. Every season has its own beauty.

Food & diets

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are possible. Just tell us when you book or let your driver know on day one.

How to book

Send us your dates and number of travellers. We reply with a price for your group. A small deposit confirms the tour; the balance is paid in cash on the first day (euros, dollars or dirhams).

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which vehicles do you use?

Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles adapted to your group: 4x4 Land Cruisers or minivans for small groups, and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses for groups of 8 or more.

How far in advance should we book?

As early as possible, especially for spring, autumn and holiday periods. Last-minute requests are welcome too — contact us and we will do our best.

How do I pay for the tour?

We ask for a small deposit when you book. The balance is paid in cash to your driver on the first day of the tour, in euros, dollars or Moroccan dirhams.

What happens to my luggage in the desert?

Your suitcases stay safely in the vehicle or are brought to the camp by 4x4. You only need a small backpack for the camel ride.

I don't want to ride a camel. Can I still sleep at the camp?

Of course. We can take you to the camp by 4x4 instead of camel.

Can we change the itinerary?

Yes. All our tours are private, so we can add nights, change hotels, include activities or adjust the route to your wishes.

Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes. We adapt the pace, the stops and the accommodation for families and for travellers who prefer an easier rhythm.