3 Days from Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour

Set off on a captivating 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech to uncover the natural wonders of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, nestled within Morocco’s Sahara Desert. Delight in a picturesque journey as you traverse the High Atlas Mountains and immerse yourself in the charm of traditional Berber villages. Your adventure includes an exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou, and an exhilarating camel trek across the expansive desert terrains. Spend a night beneath the star-studded desert sky at a traditional desert camp, and bear witness to a mesmerizing sunset. Guided by experienced experts and with comfortable transportation, this tour presents the ideal opportunity to savor the enchantment of Morocco’s Sahara Desert in a mere 3 days.

Tour Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

Tour from : Marrakech

Tour ending: Marrakech

Highlights: 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech

Start your 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech to discover Ait Ben Haddou, Taourirt Kasbah, Dades and Todgha Gorges, and venture into the Sahara on a camel. Immerse yourself in Berber music, cuisine, and culture at a desert camp. Conclude your journey with a drive through the Draa Valley before returning to Marrakech.

1st day: Marrakech – Dades Gorges

  • Depart from Marrakech and drive through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
  • Stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a famous filming location
  • Explore the mud-brick kasbah and the surrounding area
  • Continue to Ouarzazate and visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios
  • Drive through the Skoura palm grove and continue to the Dades Gorges, known for its impressive rock formations
  • Check in at the hotel and enjoy some free time

2nd day: Dades Gorges – Merzouga

  • Explore the Dades Gorges and its Berber villages
  • Continue to the Todgha Gorges and explore the canyon and its Berber villages.
  • Transfer to Merzouga, a small village at the edge of Erg Chebbi Merzouga
  • Enjoy a camel ride into the dunes and witness the sunset over the Sahara
  • Spend the night at a desert camp, enjoying Berber music and traditional Moroccan food

3rd day: Merzouga – Marrakech

  • Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes
  • Return to Merzouga and take a shower and breakfast
  • Drive to Rissani and explore its traditional market and Kasbah
  • Drive through the Draa Valley, the longest river valley in Morocco

Return to Marrakech and transfer to the airport or the hotel.

Itinerary: 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorges

Commence your 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech by departing from your riad in the morning, bound for the enchanting Dades Gorges. The journey unfolds as you traverse the lofty High Atlas Mountains, surmounting the renowned Tizi-n-Tichka pass, an impressive peak marking the highest in Africa.

Throughout this scenic odyssey, you’ll make occasional stops at panoramic vantage points. These interludes provide the perfect opportunity to capture the awe-inspiring vistas of valleys and mountains, adorned with vibrant roses, olive groves, and herds of agile goats.

Following your passage over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, an offshoot road beckons you towards the opulent Kasbah Telouet, a former palatial abode. Here, you’ll embark on a captivating tour of the kasbah, revealing the intricate Moroccan tile work and masterful wood craftsmanship that graces its interiors.

Continuing your journey southward, you’ll arrive at the illustrious Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site. This iconic location has served as a cinematic backdrop for numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including “Gladiator,” “Alexander,” and notable scenes from the acclaimed TV series “Game of Thrones.”

After a satisfying lunch, a local guide will lead you on an exploration of the Kasbah, regaling you with fascinating tales of its storied history.

The next leg of your 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech transports you beyond Ouarzazate, leading you to the resplendent Skoura Oasis. Here, you’ll pause to immerse yourself in the allure of the fortified Kasbah Amredhil. Skillfully reconstructed, it offers a panoramic vista, nestled on the valley’s edge and standing tall amidst the swaying palm trees.

Following this interlude, your route guides you through the evocative Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and onwards to the fragrant Valley of the Roses. In Kel’aa M’gouna, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a local cooperative dedicated to crafting cosmetic products from the abundance of aromatic flowers.

Concluding your day’s journey, you’ll continue on to the Dades Gorges, where an evening of serenity awaits at a charming guest house perched on the valley’s precipice. Here, you’ll relish a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

Day 2: Dades Gorges – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga

Following a hearty breakfast, embark on a leisurely stroll to discover the lush gardens and verdant fields of Boumalne Dades Valley. Soon after, your journey continues as you set out towards the Toudgha Gorges, where a delectable lunch awaits in this picturesque locale.

Here, you can amble along the riverbank, traversing the towering canyons and immersing yourself in their grandeur. If you wish, a local guide can accompany you on a brief hike around the gorges, providing insights into the local terrain.

With the gorges explored, your desert expedition proceeds alongside the breathtaking Ziz Valley, celebrated for its endless rows of palm trees and imposing fortified kasbahs.

In Merzouga Desert, your next destination, a journey of approximately one to one and a half hours unfolds, leading you to the apex of the Erg Chebbi dunes, which soar to heights of 250 meters. From this vantage point, the sunset paints a mesmerizing spectacle across the desert landscape.

Upon your arrival at the campsite, you’ll be warmly greeted with refreshing mint tea and introduced to your private nomadic tent.

As night descends, savor a delightful dinner beneath a celestial canopy adorned with a multitude of stars. You’ll also be treated to a musical performance by the nomads, gathered around a campfire. Later, retire to the comfort of your cozy nomadic tent for a restful night’s sleep were our second night of our 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech ends.

Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Draa Valley – Marrakech

If you rise early in the morning and ascend to the summit of the dunes, your efforts will be generously rewarded with enchanting vistas of a magnificent sunrise. It’s a moment of pure serenity amidst the captivating Sahara Desert.

Following a satisfying breakfast, your journey leads you back to the Dra’a Valley, tracing the course of the Saghro Mountains. Along the way, you’ll pass through the charming Berber villages of Alnif, Tazzarine, famously featured in the film ‘Babel,’ and ultimately reach N’Qob, where you’ll savor a delightful lunch.

Post-lunch, a visit to the venerable Kasbah Tamnougalte awaits. Remarkably, it’s the oldest kasbah in the Dra’a Valley and remains a lively abode. From here, your path takes a daring off-road route through the Dra’a Valley, where a profusion of palm trees and verdant oases stretches as far as the eye can see.

Continuing your journey, you’ll make your way to Ouarzazate, where a stop at the Film Studios provides the chance to capture the intact film sets from a multitude of cinematic masterpieces.

In the afternoon, your route steers you over the Atlas Mountains, guiding you back to Marrakech, with an expected arrival by late afternoon. This marks the culmination of a remarkable 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech, taking you from Marrakech to Merzouga and back, replete with unforgettable experiences and memories.

What is included in our 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech:

  • Private transportation in an air-conditioned comfortable 4×4 car or luxury minivan
  • Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
  • Experienced English/French/Spanish speaking driver / guide
  • Overnights in accommodations with air-conditioned rooms and private bathrooms
  • Overnight in an authentic/ luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi dunes
  • All meals, 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners
  • Camel ride in the Sahara
  • sand-boarding
  • Berber music and drumming around a campfire under the stars at night
  • Entrance fees and local guides in the relevant places

What is not included in our 3 days sahara desert tour from Marrakech:

  • Drinks
  • Tips
  • Extras

Book Your Moroccan Adventure Now: Unforgettable Tours Waiting for You!