3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Marrakech
This private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech takes you to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, in your own air-conditioned 4×4 with an English-speaking driver-guide. Cross the High Atlas, walk through the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, sleep in the Dadès Gorges, then ride a camel into the Sahara at sunset for a night in a luxury desert camp.
Highlights
- Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m)
- UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou
- Dadès Gorges and Todra Gorge
- Sunset camel ride in Erg Chebbi
- Night in a luxury desert camp
- Sunrise over the dunes
Itinerary
Marrakech – Aït Benhaddou – Dadès Gorges
Pick-up at 7:30 from the closest point to your riad or hotel that a car can reach. Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visit the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, then continue past Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses to your hotel in the Dadès Gorges.
Todra Gorge – Merzouga – Desert camp
Walk between the 300-metre walls of the Todra Gorge, then drive to Merzouga. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset. Dinner, Berber music and a night in a luxury tent with private bathroom.
Sahara sunrise – Marrakech
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at camp, then the long scenic drive back across the Draa Valley and the Atlas to Marrakech, arriving in the evening.
Included
- Private 4×4 with A/C and driver-guide
- Pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech, at the closest point to your riad
- 2 nights: hotel + luxury desert camp
- 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Local guides at monuments (optional)
- Tips
Driving times
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech, so the drive is split over three days with plenty of stops. Times below are driving only; stops for photos, visits and meals come on top.
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech to the Dadès Gorges | about 320 km | about 6 hours |
| Day 2 | Dadès Gorges to Merzouga, via the Todra Gorge | about 270 km | about 5 hours |
| Day 3 | Merzouga back to Marrakech | about 560 km | about 9 to 10 hours |
Best time to go
The best months for this desert tour are March to May and September to November, when days are warm and nights in the camp are cool. In summer (June to August) midday is very hot, so the camel ride is planned for sunset and sunrise. In winter (December to February) days are sunny and mild, but desert nights are cold: bring a warm jacket. The tour runs all year.
Your 3-day Merzouga desert tour route
- Marrakech
- Aït Benhaddou
- Boumalne Dades
- Tinghir
- Merzouga
- Marrakech
3-day Merzouga tour FAQ
Is 3 days enough to reach the Merzouga desert from Marrakech?
Yes. Day one and two cover the drive with stops at Aït Benhaddou and the gorges, you spend the night in the dunes, and day three returns to Marrakech. If you prefer more time in the desert, the 4-day tour ending in Fes adds a full day in Erg Chebbi.
What is the luxury desert camp like?
You sleep in a private tent with a real bed and an en-suite bathroom, with dinner around the fire and Berber music in the evening.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf for the wind, a small overnight bag for the camp, and a warm layer for the desert night.
Can we change the itinerary?
Yes, it is a private tour. Tell us when you book and we will adjust stops, hotels or the route.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech, around 9 to 10 hours of driving. On this tour the way out is split over two days, about 6 hours on day 1 and 5 hours on day 2, with stops at Aït Benhaddou and the gorges. The drive back on day 3 is the longest, about 9 to 10 hours with breaks.
Is this 3-day desert tour suitable for children?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we can adjust the pace and add extra stops for children. Tell us their ages when you book so we can plan the camp and the camel ride for your family.
