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Camel caravan walking over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunset near Merzouga Private

3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: Gorges, Kasbahs and a Sahara Camp

Three days, two nights and one unforgettable sunset on the dunes: the classic Marrakech to Merzouga loop, with your own driver and your own pace.

  • 3 days
  • Marrakech
  • Private
  • From US$ 411 (€365) per person
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Overview

This private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech is the shortest way to sleep in the real Sahara. In 72 hours you cross the High Atlas, walk through the UNESCO ksar of Aït Benhaddou, sleep among the cliffs of the Dades Gorge and ride a camel into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night in a desert camp.

It is a road trip, and we will be honest: there is a lot of driving, with about eight to ten hours on the road each day. The good news is that the scenery never gets boring, and with a private vehicle you stop whenever a view, a café or a photo calls. Your English-speaking driver knows the road, the best viewpoints and the honest places to eat.

Choose standard hotels or upgrade to superior hotels and a more comfortable camp. If you have more time, a longer route like our 6-day luxury desert tour spreads the same highlights over more relaxed days.

Highlights

  • Tizi n'Tichka pass and the UNESCO ksar of Aït Benhaddou
  • Night in the Dades Gorge among red cliffs
  • Todra Gorge, with walls up to about 300 m high
  • Camel trek at sunset into the Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Night in a Sahara desert camp with dinner and drums
  • Sunrise over the dunes
  • Return via the Draa Valley palm groves

Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge

    Pickup at your riad around 7:30. Climb into the High Atlas to the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), stopping at viewpoints and Berber villages along the way. Walk through the ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO site and the backdrop of Gladiator, then have lunch facing the old walls.

    In the afternoon, pass Ouarzazate and follow the Rose Valley, famous for its rosewater products and the rose festival in May. Arrive in the Dades Gorge in the early evening. Check into your hotel, settle in with a mint tea and enjoy dinner as the cliffs turn deep red.

    Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Gorge Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2 Dades – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga

    After breakfast, drive the twisting road of the Dades valley and continue to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge. Walk between the towering limestone walls, where the river runs clear and local climbers hang on the rock.

    Continue past Erfoud, known for its fossils and dates, to Merzouga at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Late in the afternoon, leave your main luggage in the car, take a small bag and mount your camel. The trek into the dunes lasts about an hour, timed for sunset. Arrive at camp for dinner, Berber drums around the fire and a sky full of stars.

    Overnight: Desert camp at Erg Chebbi, Merzouga Meals: Breakfast, dinner

  3. Day 3 Merzouga – Rissani – Alnif – N'Kob – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

    Wake up early and climb a dune to watch the sunrise paint the sand orange and pink. Ride the camels back to Merzouga for breakfast and a shower.

    This is the longest day, about ten hours, so we leave promptly. Pass Rissani, then cross the stony plains via Alnif, known for its trilobite fossils, and N'Kob, a village of dozens of kasbahs. Follow a stretch of the Draa Valley palm groves to Ouarzazate, then climb back over the Tizi n'Tichka. Arrive in Marrakech in the evening, dusty, happy and full of stories.

    Overnight: — (end of tour) Meals: Breakfast

Prices

Price per person by group size
TravelersStandard Superior
1 traveler US$ 731 (€650) US$ 832 (€740)
2 travelers US$ 411 (€365) US$ 512 (€455)
3 travelers US$ 304 (€270) US$ 405 (€360)
4 travelers US$ 251 (€223) US$ 352 (€313)
5 travelers US$ 218 (€194) US$ 320 (€284)
6 travelers US$ 197 (€175) US$ 298 (€265)
7 travelers US$ 183 (€162) US$ 284 (€252)
8 travelers US$ 251 (€223) US$ 352 (€313)

Prices in euros per person. The amount in your currency is an estimate; payment is processed in USD. Some peak-season dates carry a supplement; you will see it when you pick a date.

Included

Included

  • Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver
  • Fuel, parking and tolls
  • 1 night in a hotel in the Dades Gorge with breakfast and dinner
  • 1 night in a desert camp at Erg Chebbi with dinner and breakfast
  • Camel trek at sunset and sunrise
  • Optional upgrade to superior accommodation

Not included

  • Flights
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Local guides in Aït Benhaddou and Todra (optional)
  • Entrance fees
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance

Is a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech right for you?

It suits travelers who want the Sahara on a tight schedule and do not mind long days in the car. Families with very young children or anyone who gets carsick may prefer four days or more.

Pack light for the camp night: a small backpack with a warm layer, a headlamp, toothbrush and charger is enough. Nights in the desert are cold from November to March, and even in summer you will want a sweater before dawn. Bring sunglasses and a scarf for wind and sand. Cash in dirhams is handy for lunches and tips; read our tips on money in Morocco.

What our travelers say

Highly recommended!

We had an amazing 4-day overland trip from Fes to Marrakech with Morocco Excursions, and I can’t recommend this company highly enough — especially our guide and driver, Hassan. From the moment he picked us up, we felt completely safe and taken care of. Hassan is a fantastic driver — something we appreciated even more after meeting other t…

Spencer R

Moroccan journey

My family and I planned our own 10-day itinerary in Morocco. We hired a car with a driver to travel with us and enjoy everything Morocco has to offer. Salem, our driver, was a great person: kind, always available, and not just our driver — he suggested things to do, places to see and where to stay, and explained his traditions and culture…

Translated from Spanish · See original

Viaje marroquí

Mi familia y yo organizamos nuestro propio itinerario durante 10 días en Marruecos. Alquilamos un coche con conductor para acompañarnos en el camino y disfrutar de todo lo que Marruecos tiene para ofrecer. Salem, nuestro conductor, era una gran persona: amable, siempre a disposición, y no solo era nuestro conductor, sino que fue capaz de sugerirnos cosas que hacer, lugares para ver y dónde dormir, y de explicarnos su tradición y cultura. El vehículo era espacioso y cómodo, y la ruta fue genial. Realmente recomiendo esta agencia para viajar por Marruecos de la manera más fácil posible.

Luca B

Amazing trip in Morocco

We are 4 of us joining a 6-day private tour with our driver Hassan from Morocco Excursions, exploring from Marrakesh, desert, Fez, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen and Tangier. Hassan is our super driver, he is professional, smart, patient and full of fun. He was on time and took us to wherever we liked to explore and he provided us good su…

Escape31939768217

See all reviews (9) →

Frequently asked questions

How much driving is there on this tour?

About 8 to 10 hours of driving per day, with frequent stops. Day 3 is the longest. The private vehicle means you can rest, stop for photos and set your own rhythm.

What is the desert camp like?

You sleep in a tent with real beds and blankets. Standard camps have shared or private bathrooms depending on availability; superior camps have private en-suite bathrooms. Dinner and breakfast are included.

Can I skip the camel ride?

Yes. If you prefer, a 4x4 can take you to the camp instead. Tell us when booking so we can organize it.

Is it too hot in summer?

From June to August the desert can pass 40 °C at midday. We plan the camel trek for late afternoon and leave early to avoid the worst heat. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.

Can the tour end in Fes instead?

Yes, private tours are flexible. Ending in Fes is common, and our booking team will adjust the route and price. You can also look at our tours from Merzouga to Fes.

Any questions about this tour?

Send us a message, no commitment: we reply personally, usually within 24 hours. We can also adapt the route to your dates.

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