Add dates

Merzouga UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Merzouga UNESCO sites

From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Tour to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

1. From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Tour to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Sleep beneath the desert stars at a Berber campsite on an unforgettable dunes experience from Marrakech. Visit UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, the Valley of the Roses, and Tinghir. Stop at traditional Berber villages around the Todra Gorge and trek with a camel through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco Day 1: Marrakech - TinghirYour shared 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning. Head to Ait Benhaddou through the Tizi Ntichka pass and the high Atlas Mountains. Make many stops along the way. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which also served as a set for various Hollywood blockbusters. Continue to Ouarzazate 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 – MerzougaAfter breakfast at your hotel in Tinghir, your journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbah to the Oasis 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 huge cliffs, and lunch at a local café (at your leisure), continue early in the afternoon to Erfoud, famous for its date market, and a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Tombouctou. 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 dunes with the sunset on 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 dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to a campfire. Late at night, enjoy Berber music with the local hosts playing drums Day 3: Merzouga – MarrakechAfter an early breakfast and a camel ride back to the main road, meet your driver and head back to Marrakech. Enjoy lunch on the road as you pass the Valley of Roses, and continue through the high atlas mountains to Marrakech. Finish your desert tour in Marrakech around 8 PM.

From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Fes

2. From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Fes

Discover Fes and Marrakech, Morocco's imperial cities, on a guided 3-day tour. Day 1: Marrakech — Ait Ben Haddou — Dades (1st night at Kasbah Amazigh) Your tour will start with an early pickup. Meet your driver at your hotel or riad in the morning and start your journey crossing the High Atlas Mountains towards Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. After a guided walk in the village, continue to Ouarzazate for a leisurely lunch. In the early afternoon, travel northeast to Boumalne Dades. Take a drive along the Dades River with the marvelous sunset as your backdrop. Reach the way to Dades valley and make a pit stop to enjoy the amazing scenery. Then continue to a hotel where you will dine and rest for the night at Kasbah Amazigh. Day 2: Dades — Merzouga Start the day with breakfast at your hotel. Set out on a journey along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to Tinghir, an oasis where you will have the opportunity to enjoy an hour-long walk by the river bank all the way to Todgha Gorges. Here, get some free time to enjoy the scenery before lunch.  Early in the afternoon, walk to Merzouga, where your camel caravan awaits. From here, ride your camel through the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi while enjoying a mesmerizing sunset.  Before dark, reach your Sahara desert camp nestled between the dunes, where you will enjoy a Moroccan dinner under the stars while being entertained by local nomads playing their drums around the campfire. After the campfire, relax in your standard or luxury tent, depending on which one you choose. The standard tents are basic accommodation, while a private tent is subject to availability. The toilets are right outside, with facilities to freshen up in a shared room. If you choose the luxury tent, it is located in a more isolated and scenic area, providing extra comfort with proper bedding, and a guaranteed private tent with flushable western toilets, hot showers, and a rich dinner and breakfast. Day 3: Merzouga — Fes  Your desert camp hosts will wake you up if you wish to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, drive along the Ziz River with its amazing oasis lined with palm trees and fortified ksours (castles) all the way to Midelt, a small town in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, your lunch stop for the day. In the afternoon, continue crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains towards Fes. Notice a dramatic change in the landscape: snow-capped mountains, cedar forests, and rich vegetation, a complete 180 from the arid and rocky landscapes of the rest of the tour.  End your Marrakech to Fes desert tour in the early evening as your driver takes you to your riad or hotel in Fes.

Merzouga Overnight Stay in a Berber Tent and Camel Ride

3. Merzouga Overnight Stay in a Berber Tent and Camel Ride

Depart Merzouga, Rissani or the oasis town of Erfoud and travel by 4WD vehicle to a traditional Kasbah at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Depending on your time of arrival, rest with a refreshing mint tea. Then, follow your guide into the desert and ride a camel across the sands. Trek across the magnificent landscape watching the sunset as you go. Arrive at the desert camp after a camel trek of approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, your camels will be tethered as you drink some more mint tea. Enjoy a delicious dinner in the desert wilderness, and then sit around a camp fire to hear the beat of the drums and the songs of the Berber nomads of southern Morocco. Wake early in the morning and walk over the sand dunes to watch the sunrise from just behind the Algerian border, about 50 kilometers from Merzouga. Ride your camel back to the hotel, where you can relax with a shower and enjoy breakfast. Drive back to the bus station or your hotel in Rissani or Merzouga for the end of the tour services. 

2-Days Sahara Desert Tour : Fez to Fez via Merzouga

4. 2-Days Sahara Desert Tour : Fez to Fez via Merzouga

Day 1: Fez -Ifrane - Midelt - Ziz valley- Merzouga Today, on Fez desert tours 2 days Pick up 07.30 am from hotel/riad. Travel from Fez to the Merzouga desert. But; this is not an ordinary drive. We will stop along the way in a number of enjoyable destinations. Firstly, stop at Ifrane, the alpine-style townhome to ski slopes. Secondly, cedar forests are situated in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains to observe and feed the Barbary Monkey. After that, Moving to the popular pitstop of Midelt. ( break for lunch) Then, carrying on through the lush green Ziz Valley and making the last stop in Erfoud. Upon, arrival at Merzouga, transfer to the hotel to store your luggage. The camels will be waiting for you for a camel trekking experience (around 45 min) to enjoy the sunset on camelback to nomad tents where you will have dinner under the starry sky with a Berber folklore show (overnight desert camp). Day 2: Merzouga-Rissani- Midelt -Ifrane - Mouzar- Fez Get up, early for the beckoning Erg Chebbi sunrise. Enjoy camel-trek back to the hotel/riad for breakfast and shower. Before, back to Fez. We will Pass through Rissani, visiting Zawiya Moulay Ali Ash-Sharif, dramatic Ziz Valley. In addition to, Damn Hassan El-Awal. ( break for lunch), visit family lives in the cave at Immouzar. Finally, at the end of Fez desert tours 2 days, drop off. (your hotel/riad Fez).

From Fes: 4-Day Trip to Marrakech via Merzouga with Lodging

5. From Fes: 4-Day Trip to Marrakech via Merzouga with Lodging

Day 1:Fes / Ifrane /Medilt/Merzouga Depart from fez We pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort in a totally un Moroccan style built by the French in the 1930's to resemble a Swiss village; we continue passing throughthe cedars forest in Azrou you will see the monkeys , drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, then we continue towards merzouga in the road we will stop in a panoramic views to see the a huge oasis of palm tree we reach Merzouga,Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel . Accommodation : Kasbah Mohayut or Similar Day 2 :Merzouga / Erg Chebbi In the Morining visit approximately half day in the desert to see the different faces of deser, villages, stop to listen to some Saharan Music in El Khamlia, the oasis ,you will have a small visit to Rissani the first capital of dynasty alouite ,including some historical Kasbahs ,and the The famous Market ,you will have the opportunity to test the local food of the area the Pizza Berber , we continue to Merzouga ,. the guide and camel will be waiting to carry you across the sandy dunes of the erg-chebbi,you will enjoy the beauty of the sunset on camel, after 1 hou reach to the Camp in the Foot of the Dunes , After a wonderful Dinner, watch the Stars,and overnight in the Tent . Accommodation : Standard Desert Camp (Tent with Private Ensuite Bathroom ) Day 3 :Merzouga / Gorges Todra / Ouarzazate Get up early, to watch the sunrise which just behind the Algerian border, which is about 50 km from Merzouga. After Breakfast & shower, You’ll depart for Ouarzazate, traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We stop for lunch and walk in todragorges , We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments Dinner & Overnight . Accommodation : Hotel La Perle Du Sud or Similar Day 4 :Ouarzazate / Ait ben haddou / Marrakech After breakfast we visit Ouarzazate ,including the Atlas Studios movie studios, the largest and most famous of all Africa. From here we head to visit the famous Kasbah, declared UNESCO World Heritage and which was the scene of films like The Gladiator, Babel, Lawrence of Arabia,wecoutinue passing through the High Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, along a road that climbs from the plains up to 2260 m above sea level passing through small villages & Panoramic Views .we will drop you off in your Hotel in Marrakech for the End of the Tour .

Fes To Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour

6. Fes To Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour

Travel between the 2 imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech with a Moroccan desert tour. On this 3-day guided excursion, discover the secrets of the Sahara desert. Day 1: Fes – Midelt – Merzouga You’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Fes and head first to the fertile plains of Sais and to the cedar forests in the middle of the Atlas Mountains. Stop for lunch in Midelt, then continue along the majestic Ziz River, where palms stand in fortified kasbahs. Drive to Erfoud through the oasis and continue on to Merzouga, where you’ll climb onto your camel and follow your guide for a stunning ride through the orange dunes. From the back of these animals, you’ll watch the sun set over the dunes. You’ll then spend the night in a desert camp, to experience the nomad life. If you select the upgrade on checkout, you’ll spend the night in a luxurious en suite camping set-up. Day 2: Merzouga – Dades Wake up early in the morning to watch the sun rising over the desert before breakfast. Your first stop of the day will be to Rissani, known for being the location of the mausoleum of the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco. Then, head to Tinghir on the route of the 1000 kasbahs, exploring the kasours and oases in the High Atlas mountain range. Take an hour to explore the Todgha River and admire this beautiful site and the canyons. Before lunch, visit the Berber village of Azrou with your guide to discover their traditional lifestyle. In the afternoon, you’ll drive to the Dades Valley to visit one of the oldest kasbahs in the region. You’ll then be dropped off at your guest house or hotel in Dades. Day 3: Dades – Kelaa Mgouna – Ouarzazate – Ait ben Haddou – Marrakech After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Kelaa Mgouna in the Rose Valley, a famous rose plantation. Visit one of the rose growers’ cooperatives and discover how the workers mix distilled rose water to create scents. Continue along the kasbahs to Ouarzazate, known as the “door of the Sahara”, often used as a filming location. Next you’re off to Kasbah Ait ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village. Explore this beautiful site with your guide and learn more about its Moroccan earthen clay architecture. In the afternoon, take the Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the Atlas Mountains, where Berbers have been living for centuries. You’ll arrive back in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

From Marrakech: 3-Day Luxury Desert Trip To Merzouga

7. From Marrakech: 3-Day Luxury Desert Trip To Merzouga

Day 1 : Marrakech – Tinghir City Aït Ben Haddou ,Ouarzazate , The palm of Skoura , Tinghir city On the first day of this three days circuit you will go from Marrakech to Tinghir city . After the visit of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and after the lunch in Ouarzazate, you will have a walk in the palm groves of Ouarzazate and in the well-known Roses’ Valley. In the second week-end of May and the last two days, there is the famous Rose Festival, so if you are lucky enough you can enjoy it! Furthermore, this tour will inspire you to visit this wonderful place again. This first day will end with a night in the heart of Tinghir city . Day 2 : Tinghir city – Gorges of Todgha – The dunes of Merzouga This second day will start with a traditional typical Moroccan breakfast. You will leave the hotel to get on the Road of 1000 Kasbah. During this way you will discover many Berber villages and colorful landscapes of this beautiful region. You will then continue to the Todra Gorges: 300 meters height above the river. Don’t be afraid! In fact, they are among the most beautiful gorges in Morocco. Your lunch will take place on the road before reaching the city of Erfoud; well-known for its marine fossils, hundreds of millions years old. It will almost be time to climb the big beautiful dune of Merzouga. Even if the ascension seems difficult, you will enjoy a lot on arrival at the summit! Incredible thrills guaranteed then a camel ride about one hour . Day 3 : Dunes of Merzouga , Tazzarine , Agdz-Marrakesh , La kasbah de Taourirt ,Marrakech On the third day you will wake up early to enjoy the sunrise on the dunes of Erg Chebbi, which is certainly the best moment in the desert of Merzouga to take pictures! You will also enjoy a typical breakfast at the camp . The come back to Marrakech will be via the incredible Draa Valley, passing through Tazzarine, Agdz, Ouarzazate without forgett the eternal Tizi n’Tichka pass and its panoramic views.

From Marrakech: 4-Day/3-Night Desert Adventure End up in Fes

8. From Marrakech: 4-Day/3-Night Desert Adventure End up in Fes

Start at Marrakech and drive along Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to marvel at the towering peaks of the High Atlas Mountain Range. Visit the fort of Aït Benhaddou and the Valley of Roses. Go on a desert camel ride, relax by the campfire, and sleep in a traditional Berber tent. Finish your 4-day tour at Fes. On day 1, depart from your accommodation in Marrakech and head to the High Atlas via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, the gateway to the Sahara desert, which sits at an elevation of 7257 ft (2,212 meters) above sea level. Pass through villages and admire the waterfalls while driving past the mountains. Stop for a cup of mint tea, then continue to Aït Benhaddou, an earthen clay fortified village that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, see the Kasbah featured in famous films such as Gladiator, Babel, and Lawrence of Arabia.  Next, travel to the town of Ouarzazate, the Kasbah of Taourirt, and the Atlas Studios movie studios. Then, continue through the Valley of Roses and the Dades Valley, and arrive at the Dades Gorge to admire the sunset. Have dinner at a hotel and spend the night there. On day 2, have breakfast and go on a morning walk through the Dades Gorges and admire the rugged gorges. Then, enjoy a drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and pass through Tineghier Village to see some historical kasbahs. After this, arrive at the Todra Gorges for lunch. Go for a walk and admire the limestone river canyons and then drive to the Merzouga Desert via Erfoud. Arrive before sunset and eat dinner at a traditional kasbah with a Saharan drum performance. Spend the night here. Start day 3 with breakfast and visit the desert village of El Khamlia to listen to Saharan music. Then, go to Rissani, famous for its traditional market. Try the local Berber pizza and return to Merzouga. Ride a camel across the dunes of Erg Chebbi to enjoy the sunset. Afterward, reach the desert camp and drink mint tea. Eat dinner and relax under the stars by the campfire to the tune of music. Sleep in a traditional Berber tent. On day 4, wake up in the morning to watch the sun rise over the sand dunes near the Algerian border. Next, go on a camel ride back to the hotel. Eat breakfast, have a shower, and relax. Then, set off for Fes through the Ziz Valley. Take in the sights along the way, including Berber villages, a cedar forest, and palm trees. Finally, arrive at Fes in the evening to end your trip.

From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

9. From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

Explore the Sahara Desert's boundaries on a three-day, cost-effective tour from Marrakech. Take in the Dades Valley and Ouarzazate's Kasbah, ride camels across Erg Chebbi's dunes, and spend the night camping in the desert. Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Start your journey by traversing the High Atlas Mountains and passing multiple Berber villages on the way to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its kasbah and fortified village which has been a location for Hollywood movies and photo shoots. Take some time to relax, have lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Ouarzazate, referred as the "Gate of the Sahara", then drive to Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic Dades Valley, and spend the night at Kasbah Amazigh or Hotel Chems with dinner. Day 2: Dades - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga After breakfast, depart from the hotel and drive to Tinghir, to explore the Todgha Gorges. Take some time to explore the canyons, have lunch at a local cafe, and then continue to Merzouga to meet your camel caravan. Ride the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback and witness the sunset. Arrive at the desert camp before nightfall, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars and be entertained by local nomads who will show you how to play the Tam Tam drums. Spend the night there. Day 3: Merzouga Ouarzazate - Marrakech After an optional early wake-up to see the sunrise before breakfast (optional), a driver will take you back to Marrakech. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and arrive at your original departure point or Djemaa El Fna around 8 PM. You can also upgrade your stay in the Bedouin camp and book a deluxe desert camp which comes with a luxury private tent with an ensuite shower, bathroom facilities and 5-star amenities, these upgrades need to be booked per person.

Marrakech: 3-Days Merzouga Instagramable Tour

10. Marrakech: 3-Days Merzouga Instagramable Tour

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 Ouarzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel, and sleep at a desert camp surrounded by high sand dunes. Day 1: Marrakesh, Tizi 'n Tichka, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Dadès Pickup begins early in the morning, at which point you depart from Marrakesh towards the Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou, passing by the collar of Tizi Ntichka and High Atlas Mountains along the way. Many stops are made during the journey, which includes the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 11th century. It is a striking example of the architecture of the traditional Moroccan South, and a picturesque site filled with emotion. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara,the scenic drive along the road to Boumalne Dades, where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stop. Day 2: Dadès, Gorges of Todra, and Merzouga After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Toudra Gorge. The gorge is naturally constituted from high limestone cliffs that have been hollowed out for millennia and is a delight for climbing enthusiasts. Following lunch, your journey continues to the dunes of Merzouga - a village marking the beginning of the Sahara. On your way to Merzouga, stop at one of the most fascinating sites in Morocco, which contains unreal sculptures created by the German artist Hannesjörg Voth. Once having arrived at Merzouga, your vehicle is replaced with a camel upon which you enjoy a traditional 1-hour camel ride. You then cross the dunes and admire the sunset, which consists of a multitude of colors that change over time. After a traditional dinner accompanied by Berber rhythms, spend the night under the stars in a nomad tent in the middle of the desert. Day 3: Merzouga, Ouarzazate, and Marrakesh Your day begins with a sumptuous sunrise before a traditional breakfast is served. Once having traveled back to Merzouga by camel, continue through the Draa Valley and the Berber village of Agdez to reach Ouarzazate, where you visit the Kasbah of Taourirte. Admire the exterior architecture of this 17th-century monument, which is a sand castle with bronzed walls rising to the sky. Crossing the Atlas chain, take the road to Marrakesh safely and comfortably before arriving at your accommodation in the evening.

14 activities found
Sort by:

Other Sightseeing Options in Merzouga

Want to discover all there is to do in Merzouga? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Merzouga

The 3 days were amazing, we travelled so far and saw so much. Everything from the snowy atlas to the Sahara was beautiful. The trip is well organised, and both nights’ accommodation is nice. First night is a grand hotel with clean big rooms, second night at the camps there are big tents with single beds and also tents with two double beds in for couples. Sunset and sunrise camel rides are brilliant. The only thing to note which isn’t so great is the lunch stops each day. Locations were nice but the food wasn’t great, exactly the same each day. You really get the feeling that this is where all the tour guides being their customers as affiliates, the restaurants are trying to get you in and out as fast as possible - 2nd and 3rd courses brought out while most still eating 1st. And they often came round asking for money while people were still eating. always set menus 100-125 dhs. The driver also gave info on what we were passing to front seat passengers but nothing to guys in the back

Overall an amazing experience. Lots to see and do packed into 3 days! Our driver, Mohamed, was excellent and we could tell he was experienced. He navigated the mountain roads safely and got us in and out of our stops in a timely fashion (we didn’t have to wait long for our lunches). Make sure you take lots of extra small bills to tip guides that are provided in the towns and you also have to pay for most toilette stops along the way. Lunches were reasonably priced and there was never any pressure to buy anything. The only concern was the seats on the bus needed to be repaired. The one I sat in was stuck in the lean back position the whole time and was very lumpy.

We had a good time on the tour. Everything was well organized. We are thankful especially to our driver, Mohammed, who drove safely and explained us the upcoming programs throughout the day. I think it's a perfect trip if you want to see the Atlas and want to experience slightly the desert life.

The excursion was great! We met amazing people, went to beautiful places and had louds of fun. The best part of all, was our driver Hamid. He was the nicest, took care of us all and kept his minibus super clean. It was a beautiful experience, very recommendable!!

So much to see and experience in just 3 days, worth the long travelling hours