Merzouga

Sightseeing Tours

Spending a night in the Sahara Desert is an unforgettable experience for visitors to Morocco and this three-day tour lets you travel further and explore more along the way. Visit UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, the Valley of the Roses, and Tinghir ; stop at traditional Berber villages around the Todra Gorge; then take a camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes the highest in Morocco and sleep beneath the desert stars at Berber campsite. Day 1 : Marrakech - Tinghir Your shared 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning. Depart from Marrakech around 7:30 AM to ait ben haddou through tizi Ntichka pass and the high Atlas Mountains. Many stops will be made along the way. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah ait ben haddou, which was also served as a set for various Hollywood blockbusters. Continue to Ouazazate and Kasbah Taourirte before lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Tinghir via the valley of the roses before you reach your hotel located in Tinghir. Dinner and overnight. Day 2 : Tinghir – Merzouga After breakfast at your hotel in Tinghir, your journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbah to Ouasis of Tinghir, where you will deviate to a minor road driving along the river to todra canyons. After some time at leisure to enjoy the immensity of the hugecliffs, and lunch at a local café (at your leisure), continue early in the afternoon to Rissani , famous for its date market, and being a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the sahara desert to Tomboctou. After a quick stop, continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape. Upon arrival at the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes, meet your camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing color-changing sand dunes with the sunset in the horizon as a backdrop. Reach your Sahara Desert camp, nestled in the middle of nowhere just before darkness. After some time to admire the sand dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to a camp fire. Late at night, enjoy berber music with the local hosts playing drums. Day 3 : Merzouga – Marrakech After an early breakfast and a camel ride back to the main road, meet your driver and drive back to Ouarzazte. After some time at leisure for lunch, carry on in the afternoon to Marrakech through the high atlas mountains. Your shared 3 day desert tour will end in Marrakech around 7:00 PM.

An example of the itinerary you will follow: Day 1: Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation and you will set off on your 4 day adventure. Pass through the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas mountains and from Marrakech to Ouarzazate you can enjoy the scenic route, the landscapes with changing colors and terrain and the Berber villages along the way. You will have free time to visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate and have lunch on site. Then, on to the green valley of Dadès and the valley of roses by the palm grove of Skoura. You will have dinner and stay overnight at a charming guest house in the valley. Day 2: Dades Valley, Todra Gorges, Dunes of Merzouga After breakfast, you will set off on the road to the 1000 Kasbahs, then check check out Tinghr with its magnificent palm groves. At Todra Gorge, the bravest explorers can trek along the canyon, 300 metres above the ground. Then continue towards Merzouga and the erg Chebbi dune in the Sahara desert. In the largest desert in the world, you can experience the sunset on the back of a camel as you ride towards the oasis where the camp is located. You may spend the night in the nomadic tents or under the stars and play music or sing along with the locals and become immersed in true nomadic culture. Day 3: Merzouga, Tazarine, Agdz, Ouarzazate Watch the sunrise over the dunes of erg Chebbi, followed by breakfast in the camp. Return to a hostel via camel trek for a quick shower then drive to Rissani, a small town in southern Saharan Morocco where you can stop to visit a fossil workshop, before continuing to the junction of the Drâa and Agdz valley. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and hotel stay in Ouarzazate. Day 4: Ouarzazate, Aït ben Haddou, Telouet, Marrakech Go on a tour of the movie sets and studios located in Ouarzazate: the "Hollywood of Africa". Visit the Ksar of Aït ben Haddou, a world heritage site. Aït ben Haddou has been used to date as a backdrop for more than twenty films, including "Gladiator", "Indiana Jones "and" Lawrence of Arabia ". Take advantage of this walk through the area to admire the traditional architecture of the kasbahs. Continue on home to Marrakech through the mountains.

Experience life in the Sahara Desert on a small group tour to the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Ride a camel across the sands and watch the sunset along the way. Drive across the winding roads of the Middle Atlas Mountains and much more. Day 1: Fes - Ifrane - Midelt - Merzouga Depart Fes and pass through the winter ski resort of Ifrane, built by the French in the 1930s to resemble a Swiss village. Continue through the cedar forest of Azrou and look for the resident monkeys before your drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Wind your way through beautiful forests, mountain springs, jagged rocks and Berber villages before your descent to the Sahara Desert. Stop for lunch half-way in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks. Then, continue towards Merzouga taking in the panoramic views of a huge oasis of palm trees at Ziz along the way. Upon arrival in Rissani, travel by 4WD vehicle into the desert, reaching Merzouga in the afternoon. Here, your guide will be waiting with the camels that will take you across the dunes to Erg Chebbi. Watch the sunset from the back of your camel on the 2-hour trek to a Berber camp. Upon arrival at the desert shelter, your camels will be tethered as you are served a welcome mint tea. Enjoy dinner and relax as you look at the stars in the sky.  Day 2: Merzouga - Tafilalte - Fes Wake early and walk across the dunes to watch the sunrise from just behind the Algerian border, about 50 kilometers from Merzouga. Ride your camel back across the desert sands to take a shower and enjoy breakfast before the drive back to Rissani by 4WD vehicle. Return to Fes, and benefit from comfort stops on the approximate 7-hour journey. 

• Day 1: Marrakech - Tizi n'Tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley Get picked up from your accommodation in Marrakech in the morning. Begin your journey to the Dades Gorges via the Tizi n'Tichka Atlas pass. Take in panoramic views across the mountains and traditional High Atlas Berber villages before arrival at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. After exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoy lunch in Ait Benhaddou or Ouarzazate, where you'll visit Kasbah Taourirt and the Atlas Cinema Studios. Continue to Dades Gorges though Roses and Dades Valley. Settle in for the night at a riad/hotel in Dades Gorges.  • Day 2: Dades Gorges - Tenghir - Todra Gorges - Tinjdad - Erfoud - Merzouga  After breakfast, depart for the Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert in Merzouga. Berber villages are scattered along the way, and you’ll pass through Todra Gorges, Tenhir, Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud. Continue to a hotel in Merzouga. After relaxing for a while, take enough luggage for one night with you on a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Upon arrival at the camp, leave the camels and walk to the highest dunes for sand boarding and to watch the sunset. Spend the night in Berber nomad tents under the stars, listening to drum music in the middle of the Sahara.  • Day 3: Camel trek back to Merzouga - Atlas Mountains - Marrakech  Wake up in the early morning to watch the sunrise over the dunes. Ride your camel back to Merzouga to have breakfast. Pick up the rest of your luggage and begin your journey back to Marrakech, this time traveling through different areas and Berber villages. Once in Ouarzazate, take the same road back to Marrakech, arriving in the evening.

You will be met at the bus station or your hotel in Rissani or Merzouga, from there you will travel to a traditional Kasbah on the foot of the dunes of erg-chebbi. After a rest where you can enjoy some mint tea, a guide and camels will be waiting to carry you across the sandy dunes of the erg-chebbi. You will enjoy the beauty of the sunset while you ride a camel. After one hour you will reach the desert camp where you will spend the night in a Berber tent. At your desert shelter, your camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. After a wonderful dinner, you can take time to watch the stars, before returning to your tent for the night.  The next morning, get up early to watch the sunrise which just behind the Algerian border. You will take a camel back to have a shower and rest. After you can enjoy free activities such as sand boarding, or activities at an extra cost such as quad riding. Later you will be dropped back off at your hotel or the bus station in Rissani or Merzouga.

Day 01: Marrakech - Art Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Todra Gorges Start your Marrakech adventure bright and early with a convenient pick-up from your Marrakech located hotel. After a short meet and greet with your driver you will be on your to your first location. Cross the High Atlas Mountains until you reach the Tizi N Tichka's pass (2250 meter altitude). Continue on until you reach the Kasbah of Alt Ben Haddou, here you will marvel at the unique looking desert villages. Visit the magnificent Ksar (selected as a heritage listed site by UNESCO) before continuing on to Ouarzazate. In Ouarzazate you will have the chance to stroll through Taourirt. After your sightseeing you will continue on your travel until you reach Todra Gorges, here you will settle in for a relaxing sleep overnight and enjoy dinner under the stars.  Day 02: Todra Gorges - Erfoud - Merzouga Dunes Depart in the morning for day two of your adventure. Start your day by taking a short drive to the Merzouga dunes and witness an outstanding and picturesque natural occurrence. Enjoy a drive to the Palmeraie area, dotted with thousands of Palm Trees. Visit Todra Gorges and witness the breathtaking, panoramic views of the steep gorges that sweep across the desert landscape. Once you have finished walking amongst the gorges you will pass through Tinejdad and Erfoud until you reach Rissani where you will enjoy a lunch. After lunch you will be taken to visit the tomb of King of Alaouit (belonging to the current royal family).  Next you will visit Merzouga, where an exciting camel ride over the dunes of Erg Chebbi awaits you. Whilst on the back of a camel you will be able to marvel at the Sunset as it falls behind the dunes. Pitch a tent in the evening and spend the night under the desert night sky.  Day 03: Merzouga - Rissani - Nqob - Tammougalte - Ouarzazate - Marrakech After you have enjoyed a delicious breakfast, you will depart back to Marrakech on an alternative route. On the way you will stop by new locations you have not yet seen.  Drive through the Draa valley in Nqob. Pass through a desert landscape that many of the locals consider to be mysterious. As you drive through it you will get to see the beautiful Oases that seem to survive in this harsh habitat. Before reaching your final destination in Marrakech you will stop in Ouarzazate and enjoy a delicious lunch with panoramic views. After your lunch you will be returned to your accomodation in Marrakech. 

Day 1: Marrakech, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou & Dades Gorges: Start your 3-day adventure with a pickup at your hotel or riad in Marrakech. After meeting your driver, depart to the High Atlas mountains, crossing the pass of Tizi N'Tichka with stops along the way to enjoy spectacular panoramic views. Whilst here, visit the Argan oil Cooperative where you will discover their fascinating production process and learn about the countless benefits this product has on the human body. Continue South and head down a 6-kilometer track that will take you to the fortified town of Ait Ben Haddou. At this location you will get to visit the famous Kasbah, a World Heritage Site. Enjoy a delicious Moroccan lunch in the village before travelling to Ouarzazate. Continue on your journey toward the Valley of the Roses, passing through the great palm grove of Skoura before reaching the Dades Gorges.  Day 2: Dades Gorges, Todra Gorges and Merzouga Dunes (desert): Begin day two with a delicious breakfast before travelling to Merzouga. On the way, observe the stunning gorges from a strategic place on the mountain as you travel along a road dotted with beautiful Kasbahs. After several stops, reach one of the southern highlights, the Gorges of the Todra. Enjoy lunch at the site and continue on into the desert until you reach the impressive Merzouga Dunes where you will enjoy some delicious tea. Leave your luggage at the lodge and leave in a caravan for a 1-hour trip, which will take you to your campsite. Stop in the middle of the road to watch the sunset in the dunes and stretch your legs before following the path to the camp. Before dinner, you will have the opportunity to climb the dunes that are near the camp and enjoy tea as you take in the peace and quiet. Spend the night at your camp base under the stars.  Day 3: Merzouga, Draa Valley, Anti Atlas, Ouarzazate & Marrakech: Wake up before dawn and enjoy the sunrise on the Great Dunes. Return back to your hostel where you can shower, eat a delicious breakfast and begin your trip, passing through Rissani, one of the oldest cities in Morocco. Crossing the arid you will witness spectacular pre-desert landscapes until you reach the Draa Valley. Whilst here, make several stops and enjoy this beautiful valley that runs along the longest river in Morocco. Cross the Anti Atlas to reach Ouarzazate where you will have lunch on site. In the afternoon, cross the High Atlas before arriving back in Marrakech in the evening.

Cross the High Atlas Mountains to Morocco’s Sahara Desert on this 4-day tour. Visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a World Heritage Site, and make stops to explore lush green oases, canyons, and gorges. Enjoy camel rides and spend a night under the stars at a desert camp. Day 1: Marrakech - Zagora ( D ) Your 4 days Morocco desert tour from Marrakech will start with an early pick up from your hotel or riad and drive across the High Atlas Mountains past Berber villages in the middle of nowhere. Upon arrival at the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, you will have some time at leisure to explore the Kasbah before we continue to Ouarzazate for lunch. Early in the afternoon, you will proceed to the oasis of Agdez,, from where you will start driving along Draa River dotted with hundreds of thousands of date palm trees and fortified Kasbahs. Upon arrival at Zagora, meet your camels caravan for an hour camel trek on the desert while enjoying a spectacular sunset. Dinner will be served under the stars while entertained by the local nomads around the camp fire. Day 2: Zagora - Merzouga ( B, D ) After breakfast at your Sahara desert camp, and an hour camel trek back to your drop off point to meet your driver, you will cross the volcanic peaks of the Anti Atlas Mountains past lost oases to the village of Alnif, where we will stop for lunch. Early in the afternoon, you will continue to Merzouga, where your camel caravan will be waiting for us to ride across Erg Chebbi sand dunes while admiring a dramatic sunset over the color changing sand dunes. You will reach your Sahara desert camp hidden between the sand dunes just before it gets dark. After some time at leisure to settle in your desert camp, a Moroccan dinner will be served under the stars, next to a camp fire while entertained by your noomad cam hosts playing their Tam Tam drums. Day 3: Merzouga - Boumalne Dades ( B, D ) If you wish, your Sahara desert camp hosts will wake you up to watch the surise in the middle of nowhere. Ride your camels back to Merzouga. After breakfast, we will drive to the holly town of Rissani, the birth place of the Alaouite Dynasty who are ruling Morocco since early 16th century. From here, you will proceed to Tinghir, one of the largest oases in the region, from where you will diviate into a secondary road along Todgha river to the spectacular canyons of Todgha. After some time at leisure to adimire the views and have lunch at one of the local cafés, continue to Boumalne Dades. Dinner and overnight at your Dades hotel. Day 4: Boumalne Dades - Marrakech (B, D ) After breakfast, you will drive up to the Dades canyons enjoying some spectacular views of fortified Kasbahs and amazing rock formations before we continue to Ouarzazate via Klaa Mgouna, known for its Damascus roses plantation. Upon arrival at Ouarzazate, you will have some time at leisure for lunch at a local café before you continue to Marrakech crossing the High Atlas Mountains. Your budget shared 4 days desert tour from Marrakech will end with a drop off at your hotel or the nearest point to your riad.

Embark on a three-day tour from Marrakech through the beautiful scenery of southern Morocco. This journey passes through many interesting towns and villages, where you will get a look into authentic Moroccan life. Sleep in authentic nomad tents or under the stars. Day one: Marrakech - Tisi n'Tichka - Ait Ben Hadou - Ouarzazat - Skoura - Rose Valley Distance: 180 miles  Depart Marrakech and drive through the High Atlas Mountains, via the twisting Tizi n’ Tichka mountain pass to Ouarzazate. Visit the exotic Casbah of Aït Benhaddou, then continue to Ouarzazate center, where you can tour the Atlas Studios, the largest movie studio in Africa.  Enjoy lunch at the Casbah of Tourirt, the former residence of the Glaoui Dynasty. Continue to Rose Valley and the Casbah of Amerhidil in Skoura, situated by the Amerhidil River and one of the largest in Morocco. Settle in for the night in Rose Valley. Day two: Rose valley - Boumalen Dadès – Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Arfoud – Merzouga Dunes Distance: 167 miles After breakfast, depart for the Dadès Gorges and stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery while sipping on mint tea, also known as “Berber Whiskey.” Continue to Tinghir via Boulman Dadès, and see beautiful palm trees and lush landscapes. The journey then moves on the Todra Gorges for a leisurely lunch. After lunch, drive to Merzouga to trek by camel across the wind-blown Erg Chebbi Dunes, and to experience a classic Saharan desert straight from the picture books. Spend the evening in a bivouac (camp) with a typical Moroccan dinner. Sleep in a traditional nomadic tent in the dunes of Erg Chebbi under the stars. Day three: Erg Chebbi - Marrakech Distance: 347 miles Wake up early for the sunrise and a mint tea before a camel ride to a casbah hotel for breakfast and a shower. Then, return through the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, where your adventure ends.

Day 1: Depart from Marrakesh at 7:00AM, before crossing the beautiful Tichka Pass. Sitting at 2,260 meters, this is the highest pass in North Africa. You then descend to Telouet and its beautiful Kasbah of Pacha el Glaoui, before continuing on to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Receive a guided tour of the beautiful ksar, after which you head to the movie studios of Ouarzazate - considered the "Hollywood of Morocco". You then cross the Valley of Roses, after which you arrive to Dades Gorges. Finally, travel to Dades to overnight in a hotel. Day 2: Your second day begins early in the morning as you travel to admire the fantastic Dades Gorge and Todra Gorge. From there, continue onward to Tinghi, stopping for lunch along the way. Drive to Erfoud and Rissani before joining the dunes of Merzouga, where you ride a camel whilst watching the sunset in the middle of the Sahara. Accommodation is provided that evening in a Berber tent, and dinner is enjoyed around a campfire under the stars in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Day 3: Enjoy the sunrise in the desert before returning to the village by camel. After breakfast, head in the direction of Rissani, discovering the valley of Ziz and the mountains of the Massif du Saghro en route. Following your arrival in N'Koub, explore the Drâa Valley - complete with thousands of palm trees, a kasbah, and a ksour. That evening, your tour results in Marrakesh, marking the conclusion of your 3-day experience.