3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
Al Morocco Historical Tours arranges this 3-day tour, which is a well-known desert activity. You will drive through the High Atlas Mountains, visit the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and spend an overnight in the Merzouga Desert. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, natural beauty, and authentic desert experiences.
Tour Overview
Experience the magic of Morocco's desert landscape with our carefully planned 3-day adventure. Discover ancient kasbahs, stunning mountain views, and the breathtaking Merzouga dunes. Enjoy camel rides, traditional Berber hospitality, and unforgettable sunrises in the Sahara Desert.
Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour Highlights
Day 1
Marrakech - High Atlas - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley
Morning: Departure from Marrakech
At eight in the morning, a driver will pick you up from your Marrakech lodging and take you to the High Atlas highlands in southern Morocco. Along the way, you'll stop at Tizi N'Tichka port for panoramic views and to take pictures of the Berber hamlet settlements that blend into the surrounding terrain. Next, we go farther south to Ait Ben Haddou, a ksar (fortified village), where we will explore the well-known Kasbah, which was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. Additionally, famous movies like Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara with Penélope Cruz, etc. were filmed on this magnificent location.
Afternoon: Ouarzazate and Rose Valley
After free time for lunch, we proceed to Ouarzazate, known as "The Gate of the Desert," where the Taourirt kasbah is located. Then, our next destination is the Rose Valley, passing through the large Skoura palm grove with over 700,000 palm trees and numerous kasbahs. Furthermore, the valley is famous for its Damascene roses grown for rosewater, and the Rose Festival is held annually in May. Finally, the day concludes with an overnight stay in the Dades Valley.
Day 2
Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga - Camel Trek and overnight in Berber Camp
Morning: Dades Valley and Todra Gorges
After breakfast, we'll take in one of the most stunning views of the Dades Valley from a well-placed mountain lookout, where we can take in the abundance of kasbahs and their individual aesthetic qualities. From there, the city of Tinerhir has a very nice asphalt road that ascends the valley to the gorge and then to the desert. Eventually, we will arrive in the Todra Gorges after a few stops along the road. Indeed, the view is breathtaking. Moreover, local residents can be observed in their adobe villages, where they reside. Additionally, these gorges are famous with rock climbers because of their rocky sides with numerous uneven surfaces.
Afternoon: Journey to Merzouga Desert
After a brief stroll through the Todra gorges, you'll have some free time to grab lunch in Tinejdad or Touroug before we continue on to the desert and the magnificent Merzouga dune system. From there, we will go on an hour-long camel journey to Erg Chebbi, the site of our desert camp. Then, we'll watch the sunset from a dune's top before dinner, and finally we'll spend the night in a tent under a starry sky.
Day 3
Merzouga Dunes - Draa Valley - Anti Atlas Mountains - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
Early Morning: Sunrise in the Desert
We have a "Date with the sunrise" quite early in the morning. Indeed, getting up early in the middle of the desert is a "must do" if you want to watch the most amazing sunrise of your life from the top of a dune near to the camp. After that, we ride camels back to Merzouga, where a sumptuous meal is waiting for us. Then, after regaining our strength, we set out on our final day of travel, passing through an area of dry pre-desert where we will encounter the "acacia," a typical tree of this region.
Return Journey to Marrakech
Next, we'll stop a few times en route to the Draa valley to take in the breathtaking views of the river that gives the valley its name. In fact, it is the longest river in Morocco and runs the entire length of the nation before reaching Mauritania. Then, we continue on through the Anti Atlas on the way to Ouarzazate. Afterwards, we'll have some free time to eat lunch in town before resuming our journey to Marrakech in the late afternoon and arriving there about 8 o'clock. Finally, end of our services and transfer to the hotel.
Tour Gallery
Discover the beauty of Morocco through our tour highlights
Marrakech
The Red City
Kasbah Taourirt
Historic Fortress
Camel Trek
Desert Adventure
What's Included & Not Included
Everything you need to know about your tour services
Included Services
Not Included Services
Questions & Answers
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about your tour
Nights are colder and winter (mid-November to early March) warmer (day: 26°C/night: 0°C).
In summer (from mid-June to mid-September) the temperature rises to 45°C during the day and 30°C at night.
During the rest of the year, the temperature (between 24 and 30°C) remains essentially constant from day to night.
All Sahara Camps, very well equipped with a sanitary block, are powered by solar panels.
Approximate distance from Marrakech to Merzouga is 564 kilometers in the southeast. The trip takes around 10 hours, however depending on your stops, it may take less or more time. On this excursion, we won’t travel straight to the desert in a single day. Our first night will be spent in Dades, which is halfway to the Merzouga Desert.
Yes, thanks to the policy of Morocco historical tours company, which organizes private and private tours
Yes, it is. In the standard Sahara desert Camp hot showers and toilets shared . If you upgrade to the Luxury Camp, your tent will have a private bathroom and shower.
It is possible, in fact. Make sure you have a small backpack ready to take with you for the camel ride to the camp. The rest of your luggage will be kept safe in your car until it is returned to you after reaching our camps.
Your camel ride in the Merzouga desert will take 1 hour and half
Note: If you want to modify this tour, let us know your idea, travel plans and we can create similar or different program, which match your requirements. Contact us for more info.