Experience the Moroccan Sahara Desert on a 3-day safari tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Spend the night at a Bedouin camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Ride a camel to watch the sunset and sunrise. See the Kasbah of Ouarzazate, and much more.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Covid-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 3 days
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English, French
- Pickup included
- Pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech
Experience
Highlights
- Discover the gates of the Sahara Desert at Ouarzazate
- Ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes on a camel
- Spend the night at a Bedouin camp
- See the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- Drive across the High Atlas Mountains
- Take the back roads through the Dades Canyons
- Enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars
Full description
Discover the edge of the Sahara Desert on a 3-day budget tour from Marrakech, and explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Kasbah of Ourzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel, and sleep at a desert camp surrounded by high sand dunes.
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Tinghir
After an early departure from the Marrakech hotel, your journey begins by crossing the High Atlas Mountains past one Berber village after another to the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, famous for its Kasbah and fortified village, and previously used as a set for some famous Hollywood epics as well as a backdrop for some fashion magazines photo shoots. After some leisure time to explore the village with its Kasbah, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara and onto Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic drive along the road to Tinghir, where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stop.
Day 2: Tinghir - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga
Following breakfast, depart your hotel and drive to the dramatic Todgha Gorges, pausing for some free time to explore the canyons and enjoy lunch at a local café. Continue to Merzouga to meet your camel caravan. Then, experience the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback and watch the sunset change the color of the sand. Reach your desert camp before nightfall and enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars. Local nomads will provide the entertainment and show you how to play the 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 half-way for lunch in Ouarzazate.
You can also book upgrades for the night in the Bedouin camp as an optional extra. Upgrade to the deluxe desert camp with a luxury private tent complete with ensuite shower, bathroom facilities, and 5* amenities. These upgrades need to be booked per person.
Includes
- Pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- Transportation by modern, air-conditioned minibus (17 seats)
- English / French-speaking driver/guide
- Overnight stay in Tinghir at Hotel Bougafer 4* (including dinner and breakfast)
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi to watch the sunset and sunrise
- Overnight stay at "Auberge Sahara" desert camp at Erg Chebbi (including dinner and breakfast)
- Bedding at both accommodations
- Access to toilets and showers at both accommodations
- Private room (Hotel Bougafer) and private tent (camp)
- Local guides – in Kasbah Ait Ben Hddou, if you wish to hire a guide to escort you for a visit of the Kasbah (available for an extra charge)
- Lunches
- Beverages
- Tips to driver and any personal expenses
- Bottled water
Not suitable for
- Pregnant women
- Wheelchair users
Covid-19 precautions
Customers must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- Customers must keep distance in vehicles
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
- Customers must bring their own headphones
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
- Customers must fill out a travel information form
- Customers will get a mandatory temperature check
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Important information
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
Know before you go
- This is a shared tour, run in groups of no more than 17 passengers.
- Departures guaranteed every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of the week.
- Please note that the prices indicated for the available upgrades are per person. If you would like to book one or both upgrades please select the correct amount of people.
- You can hire a guide for the tour of the Kasbah, but this is optional and you can still enjoy a self-guided tour.
- If the road across the Atlas Mountains is blocked during winter, an alternative route is available via Taroudant. Customers must pay a mandatory supplement of 10€ per person if the alternative route is taken.
- The standard desert camp is 200 meters away from the hotel.
- The luxury desert camp is located in the middle of the desert.
- On the final day, the transfer time back to Marrakech is approximately 10 hours.