Multi-day trip

Discover the magic of the Merzouga Desert on a 3-day journey from Marrakech. Ride camels, watch stunning sunsets, and sleep under the stars in a Bedouin camp for an unforgettable desert adventure.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 3 days: Check availability to see starting times.
Driver: Arabic, French, English, Spanish
Pickup included: Pickup is available from your hotel/riad in Marrakech. If your accommodation is not accessible by car, we may suggest a nearby meeting point.
Private group available

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Madhuri – United Kingdom

Such a great tour! We booked the standard camping experience which we were unsure about, but was honestly great. The beds are basic and there are no showers, but you are in the dunes of the Sahara (you get there by camel), with great food and music around a campfire. The Camel rides were amazing and much longer than we expected. The other highlights of Ait Benhaddou and the Dades Gorge were also incredible. All the guides were locals who were obviously proud of their villages and made the experience feel authentic. The Women's Cooperative in Dades was also amazing. Our driver Abdelaali was great, making even the 12 hour drive on the last day easy with regular stops. My main complaint is that the buffet lunches are expensive and bad quality and the communication about the timetable was vague. A bit more communication would have avoided last minute panics. But overall it was amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Philip Anthony – United Kingdom

This was a fantastic experience, long journeys by road but with plenty of stops and we got to see Morocco outside of the major cities. Our guide Said was brilliant, I would highly recommend this trip

Itinerary

Pickup location:
Marrakesh
Tizi n'Tichka
Ait Benhaddou
Free time, Sightseeing
Atlas Studios
Pass by
Boumalne Dades
Sunset, Overnight stay
Todra River
Lunch, Free time
Drâa-Tafilalet
Erg Chebbi
Camel ride, Sunset
Merzouga
Dinner, Camp activities, Overnight stay
Merzouga
Breakfast
Kalaat M'Gouna
Lunch
High Atlas
Scenic views on the way
Arrive back at:
Marrakesh

Main stop

Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

Marvel at the spectacular sunrise over the vast dunes of Erg Chebbi
Spend a night under the stars in a traditional Berber desert camp
See the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
Drive across the High Atlas Mountains
Enjoy a guide tour with local guide, Discover the jewish district in Tinghir

Full description

Discover the edge of the Sahara Desert on a three-day budget tour from Marrakech, and explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Kasbah of Ouarzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel and sleep at a desert camp under the stars.opportunity to learn about the Berber people’s history and traditions.
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades
Begin your journey by crossing the High Atlas Mountains past one Berber village after another to the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. This village is famous for its kasbah and fortified village and has been used as a set for some famous Hollywood epics and magazine photo shoots. After some leisure time, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara. Continue to Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic drive along the Dades Valley, where you can enjoy dinner and rest for the night at Kasbah in Dades or Kelaat Mgouna.
Day 2: Dades - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga
Following breakfast, depart your hotel and drive to Tinghir and its dramatic Todgha Gorges, pausing for some free time to explore the canyons. Enjoy lunch at a local cafe and continue to Merzouga to meet your camel caravan. Experience the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback and watch the sunset set. Reach your desert camp before nightfall and enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars. Local nomads will provide entertainment and show you how to play the traditional Tam Tam drums. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stop.
Day 3: Merzouga Ouarzazate - Marrakech
Following an early wake-up to watch the sunrise before breakfast (optional), a driver will be waiting to pick you up for the transfer back to Marrakech. Stop halfway for lunch at a local restaurant. Get dropped off at your original departure point or Djemaa El Fna around 8 PM. You can also book upgrades for the night in the Bedouin camp such as the deluxe desert camp with a luxury private tent complete with an ensuite shower, bathroom facilities, and 5-star amenities. These upgrades need to be booked per person.

Includes

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation by air-conditioned minibus or minivan
Driver-guide
1 night in an air-conditioned room/suite with private bathroom
1-night stay at your preferred desert camp (depending on option selected)
Onboard WiFi
2 dinners
2 breakfasts
Sunset and sunrise camel trekking in the Sahara Desert
Sandboarding in the Sahara Desert
Berber drum and music experience
Luggage service

Optional local guide in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (available for €2 per person)
Beverages and lunches on the way
Personal expenses
Quad biking experience in Erg Chebbi dunes (optional 50€ per person)
Tips

Not suitable for

Pregnant women
Wheelchair users

Important information

What to bring

Passport or ID card
Comfortable shoes
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sunscreen

Know before you go

This tour is not suitable for children because it involves a long drive
If you are booking your trip at the last minute, we recommend that you send your full name and trip name by WhatsApp to the activity provider
You can take your excess luggage with you and leave it on the minibus for overnight but have a backpack handy to take with you to the camp
Vegetarian and vegan diets can be accommodated if communicated at the time of booking
If the road across the Atlas Mountains is blocked during winter, an alternative route is available via Taroudant; it costs an additional €10 per person to take this route
The standard desert camp, which is located approximately 200 yards (200 meters) away from the hotel, is inclusive of the price and features an external bathroom adjacent to the tent.
The luxury desert camp is located in the middle of the dunes, with a bathroom/shower inside the tent
On the final day the transfer time back to Marrakech is approximately 10 hours

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From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food