3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga & Camel Trek
Overview
3 days / 2 nights · Marrakech → Sahara (Merzouga) → Marrakech
3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga & Camel Trek — at a glance
- PriceFrom €220 / person
- Duration3 days / 2 nights
- StartMarrakech — hotel or riad pickup
- EndMarrakech, around 7 pm
- GroupPrivate car & driver
- Best seasonOctober to April
- LanguagesEnglish, French, Spanish, Arabic
This 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is the shortest way to sleep in the real Sahara. You cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), explore the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou and the film town of Ouarzazate, then follow the Skoura oasis and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Gorges for your first night.
On day two the road runs through Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, Erfoud and Rissani to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where a camel carries you to a desert camp for sunset, dinner and a night under the stars. After sunrise over the dunes you drive back to Marrakech, arriving in the evening. Still choosing between two deserts? Read our Merzouga vs Zagora guide.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Explore Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage kasbah
- Skoura oasis, Valley of Roses and the Dades Gorges
- Walk into the Todra Gorges canyon
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Night in a Merzouga desert camp and sunrise over the Sahara
Tour Plan
3-day itinerary, step by step
Marrakech – Gorges of Dades
Departure from Marrakech via the Tichka pass at 2260m altitude, visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Lunch in Ouarzazate and visit the film studios and the Kasbah (if there is still time to do so), you will cross the magnificent oasis of Skoura, Kalaat M’gouna then the valley of roses to reach the gorges of Dades, you will spend a night there at the hotel ( Half board).
Gorges of Dades – Merzouga
Departure in the morning to go even further in the desert to Merzouga, on the road you will visit the valley of the thousand Kasbah, Tinghir, Gorges de Todra, Erfoud, Rissani and the magnificent oasis of Tafilalet, to finally reach Erg Chebbi in Merzouga.
You will take a camel ride to admire the sunset and then join the bivouac where you will spend the night under the clear sky and full of stars. (Dinner on the spot)
Merzouga – Marrakech
In the early morning you will be able to admire the sunrise and have breakfast.
Departure to Marrakech through Erfoud, Ouarzazate where you will have your lunch.
Return to Marrakech around 7pm.
Included / Not included
So you know exactly what the price covers
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel
- Driver speaking English, French or Spanish
- 1 night in a hotel in the Dades Gorges (dinner and breakfast)
- 1 night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi (dinner and breakfast)
- Camel ride to the camp at sunset and back at sunrise
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees (kasbahs, film studios)
- Local guides at the sites (optional)
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Location
Route map — Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Gorges → Todra Gorges → Merzouga
Day 3: back to Marrakech via Erfoud and Ouarzazate.
Calendar & Price
Pick a date, then send your request
Prefer the booking form? Send a booking request — no payment online, you pay in cash on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you book
How much does this tour cost?
This tour starts from €220 per person. The final price depends on your date and the size of your group: send us your date and number of people on WhatsApp (+212 661-757505) and we confirm the price quickly. Payment is in cash on the day, in dirhams or euros.
How long is the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour?
Three days and two nights. You leave Marrakech in the morning, cross the Tizi n Tichka pass to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate on day one, reach the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga on day two, and return to Marrakech through the Dades Valley on day three.
Where do you sleep on this Sahara tour?
One night along the Dades or Todra valley in a local hotel or guesthouse, and one night in a camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, in a tent with a proper bed and blankets.
Is the camel trek included in the desert tour?
Yes. A camel trek takes you from the edge of the dunes to the camp in time for sunset, and back across the sand the next morning for sunrise. If you would rather not ride, a 4x4 transfer to the camp can be arranged instead.
What is the best time of year for the Merzouga desert tour?
October to April is the most comfortable. Summer days in the Sahara are very hot, so departures start earlier and the dune walk moves to late afternoon. From December to February the desert nights are genuinely cold, so bring a warm layer.
Do you pick up from hotels and riads in Marrakech?
Yes, pickup in Marrakech is arranged when you book. If your riad sits deep inside the medina where cars cannot reach, we agree on the closest accessible meeting point with you beforehand.
What should I pack for a night in the Sahara?
Layers you can add and remove, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen, a scarf against wind-blown sand, closed shoes for walking on dunes, a warm jacket for the night, and some cash for drinks and tips, since card payment is rare once you leave the larger towns.
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Booking Tour
Final price depends on your date and group size. Send us a WhatsApp and we confirm 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga & Camel Trek quickly.
Book on WhatsAppCall +212 661-757505- Local team based in Marrakech
- Pay in cash (MAD or EUR)
- We speak English, Français, Español, العربية
or send a booking request
