3 days from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert

Overview

An unforgettable private route from Marrakech to Merzouga, crossing the High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges. Enjoy a sunset camel ride on the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp, then return to Marrakech through the Draa Valley. Moreover, with Viagens por Marrocos, “3 days from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert” is a fully private tour that adapts to your dates.

• 3 days
• Private tour
• Pick-up from your accommodation
• Driver/guide

Tour highlights: 3 days from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert

• Crossing the High Atlas and visiting the famous Aït Ben Haddou kasbah
• Stunning scenery in the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges
• A 1h30 sunset camel ride on the Erg Chebbi dunes
• A night in a desert camp, with Berber music under a starry sky

Itinerary: 3 days from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert

1. 1

   Day 1 · Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Rose Valley → Dades Gorges

   At 8:00 am your driver-guide picks you up from your accommodation in Marrakech. Afterwards, we cross the High Atlas over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2,260 m), stopping to photograph the many-coloured landscapes and Berber villages. At midday we reach the old kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and the setting for several films, with free time to visit it and have lunch. We continue to Ouarzazate to visit the Taourirt kasbah and head south-east, through the Skoura palm grove and the city of roses, to the green Dades Valley. Finally, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Dades Gorges → Todra Gorges → Erfoud → Merzouga

   After breakfast we visit the Dades Gorges — a great opportunity for photos — and continue to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, with free time to walk around. Afterwards, lunch in Tinjdad and on via Erfoud, Morocco’s fossil capital, to Merzouga, where we arrive at around 4:00 pm. The camels are loaded with water, food and blankets, and everyone has their own camel for a 1h30 ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes. At the camp you can walk on the dunes to watch the sunset and try sandboarding. Then comes tea — the famous “Berber whisky” — and a delicious tagine. After dinner, traditional music with drums around the campfire and a magical sky full of stars. Finally, dinner and overnight at the nomad camp.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → Draa Valley → Marrakech

   At dawn your guide wakes you to watch the sunrise over the dunes. Afterwards, return by camel to the hotel for breakfast and a shower. We then set off through the great Tafilalet palm grove, via Rissani and the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate, with free time for lunch. Arrival in Marrakech in the evening and drop-off at your riad or wherever you prefer.

Important information

• Read more about Merzouga on Wikipedia: Merzouga.
• Pick-up from your accommodation, riad or airport in Marrakech, at the agreed time.
• In addition, let us know about dietary preferences or special needs when booking.
• In the desert, luggage you don’t need stays safely at the hotel or goes by 4x4 to the camp.
• Also, bring comfortable clothes, a jacket for the evening, sunscreen and sunglasses.
• However, times and the order of visits may adapt to road and weather conditions.

Frequently asked questions