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Tours from Marrakech

3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

4.8 3 reviews 3 days Departs from Marrakech
  • Duration3 days
  • Free cancellationContact us for the conditions of this tour
  • Local driver & guidePick-up from your hotel or riad
  • Flexible itineraryPrivate dates and changes on request
  • Private Tour
  • Daily departures
  • 3 Days
  • Free Cancellation

Tour overview

This 3-day private tour is the classic way to see the Sahara from Marrakech. Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with sweeping mountain views and Berber villages, to the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, where Gladiator and The Mummy were filmed.

Visit Ouarzazate's film studios and Taourirt Kasbah, then follow the Skoura palm grove, the Valley of Roses and the Dades Valley to the Todra Gorge. In Merzouga, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset and spend an unforgettable night in a Berber tent. On day three, return to Marrakech via the Draa Valley and the Anti-Atlas.

Tour highlights

  • Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass
  • Panoramic views and Berber villages
  • UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou
  • The Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge
  • Sunset camel ride in Erg Chebbi
  • A night under the stars in a desert camp
  • Sunrise over the dunes
  • The Draa Valley

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 1Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
    Your driver picks you up from your hotel or riad after breakfast. Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), with photo stops for the mountain views and small Berber villages. Explore Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village listed by UNESCO in 1987, then have lunch nearby. In Ouarzazate, see Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios. Continue through the Skoura palm grove, the Valley of Roses and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight in a hotel with valley views.
  2. 2Day 2: Dades – Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga camel ride
    After breakfast, drive through Tinghir, stopping above the palm-filled Todra Valley, and walk into the Todra Gorge, whose pink-and-grey cliffs rise 300 m. Continue via Tinejdad and Touroug for lunch, then through Erfoud and the Tafilalet oasis to Merzouga. At the Erg Chebbi dunes, ride a camel for about 1.5 hours to your camp, stopping on a dune to watch the sunset and try sandboarding. Enjoy dinner and Berber music, then sleep under the desert stars.
  3. 3Day 3: Merzouga – Alnif – Agdz – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
    Wake up for sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast and a shower at camp, then return to your driver by camel or 4×4. Drive west through pre-desert plains dotted with acacia trees, with stops above the Draa Valley, named after Morocco’s longest river. Cross the Anti-Atlas to Ouarzazate for lunch, then head back over the High Atlas to Marrakech, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.

What's included

  • Pick-up and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned vehicle, fuel included
  • English-speaking driver
  • Hotel with breakfast and dinner
  • One night in a private tent in a desert camp, with breakfast and dinner
  • Camel ride
  • Sandboarding
  • Stops for photos, views and lunch whenever you like

Not included

  • Lunches
  • Drinks
  • Entrance fees (optional)
  • Tips

Prices

  • Private tour – StandardStandard hotels & riads, any start date (price for 2 travellers)€365 per person
  • Private tour – LuxuryLuxury hotels & riads, any start date (price for 2 travellers)€445 per person
  • Group tourShared with other travellers – departures on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays€110 per person

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Good to know

  • Driving times: about 7–8 hours on day 1 and 6 hours on day 2, with plenty of stops. Day 3 is the longest drive back to Marrakech (around 9–10 hours).
  • Departures: any day of the year as a private tour.
  • Want more time? The 4-day and 5-day tours follow a similar route at a gentler pace.
  • Going on to Fes? Choose the 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes instead of returning.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket or fleece – desert nights are cold, especially from November to March.
  • A scarf to protect your face from sun and sand.
  • Sunglasses, sun cream and a hat.
  • A small overnight bag for the camp; your main luggage stays in the vehicle.
  • Cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3 days enough for the Sahara from Marrakech?

Yes, it is the most popular option. You spend one night in a desert camp and see the main sights on the way, but expect long driving days.

Can I leave my luggage in Marrakech?

Yes, most riads store luggage free of charge, or you can keep it in the vehicle.

Is the camel ride suitable for children?

Yes. Children usually ride with no problem; a 4x4 transfer to the camp is available as an alternative.

What is the difference between a private and a shared tour?

A private tour is just for your group and leaves when you want. The shared version is cheaper and travels with other guests.

Traveller reviews

4.8based on 3 reviews

We booked the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara tour because we wanted to visit the Sahara while in Marrakech. Our driver and tour guide, Ahmed, was really nice and went above and beyond to ensure that we were at ease and enjoying ourselves. He was familiar with the Berber people and the culture of the Atlas Mountains because he was from there. He's very sociable, and it's obvious that he had connections in the majority of the places we visited. As a result, we were able to have some great little bonus experiences that added to the authenticity of the trip.
Emily
Mohammed was a fantastic leader. He showed us some of his favorite local sites and vistas, all of which were stunning. He drove us to a fantastic traditional Moroccan meal while playing Moroccan music. He was amiable and talkative all the time. Our three-day journey to the desert was fantastic!
Martin
From Marrakech to Merzouga, the three-day desert journey was incredible! Great desert campgrounds, lots of amazing scenery, and a dependable driver. Thanks to Morocco's Travel, we had a wonderful experience.
Jaime

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Type of tour
Extra activities in the Merzouga desert
Total price€730
Price per person€365
Deposit to pay now€109.50
Balance on the day of the tour€620.50

The rest of the payment can be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Payment by PayPal or card is also possible, with an extra 5% fee.

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour starts

No payment now – we confirm availability by email.

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