3 days from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert

Marrakech, Merzouga

6 photos

Duration

3 Days

Maximum number of people

Minimum age

Tour type

From Marrakech

Overview:

This 3-day tour from Marrakech to the Merzouga Desert is a unique experience that combines spectacular landscapes, ancient history, and the magic of the Sahara. Along the route, travelers will discover the beauty of the High Atlas Mountains and their famous Tizi N’Tichka pass, visiting the renowned Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for international films. The first day concludes in the enchanting Dades Valley, surrounded by mountains and traditional kasbahs.

The second day offers one of the great attractions of southern Morocco: the imposing Todra Gorges, with their dramatic rock walls reaching up to 300 meters high. Later, the journey continues to the golden dunes of Merzouga, where visitors enjoy an unforgettable sunset camel ride and a magical night in a Berber tent camp. Under the starry Sahara sky, the evening is completed with a traditional dinner and live music that highlights local hospitality.

The third day begins with sunrise in the desert, followed by the return to Marrakech through the landscapes of the Draa Valley and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Along the way, you’ll explore historic towns like Rissani and travel through desert landscapes that showcase the diversity of southern Morocco. Finally, after crossing the High Atlas Mountains once more, the journey concludes in the vibrant city of Marrakech, bringing to a close an adventure that combines nature, culture, and the authentic essence of the Sahara.

Included/Excluded

Transportation and Guide
Accommodation and Meals
Tourist Visits

Meals
Additional Expenses
Travel insurance

Tour Plan

Day 1 Marrakech – High Atlas – Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Valley

Pick-up at 8:00 AM from your hotel, riad, or the square where you are staying in Marrakech. Departure for a 3-day, 2-night excursion to the Merzouga desert towards the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi N'Tichka pass at approximately 2,260 meters altitude. We will make stops to enjoy spectacular panoramic views and visit an Argan oil cooperative, where we will discover the production process and learn about its numerous health benefits. We will continue south and then turn off onto a 6 km track that will take us to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). In this spectacular setting, renowned films such as Gladiator, The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara, and Lunch in the Village have been filmed. We will then continue our journey to Ouarzazate, considered the gateway to the desert, the starting point for major expeditions and home to the magnificent Kasbah of Taourirt. From there, we will proceed to the Valley of Roses, passing through the vast palm grove of Skoura, and finally arriving in the Dades Valley where we will spend the night. Accommodation in a hotel with dinner and breakfast.

Day 2 Dades – Todra Valley and Gorges – Merzouga Dunes (Desert):

After breakfast, we'll travel to Merzouga. We'll ascend a path to a strategic mountain viewpoint to admire the gorges, then continue along a road dotted with beautiful Kasbahs, each one unique. After several stops, we'll arrive at one of the highlights of southern Spain: the Todra Gorge. At 300 meters high, the Todra River has carved a stunning canyon with towering vertical walls, a paradise for climbers and a truly unique place. We'll have lunch there and then continue into the desert to reach the impressive Merzouga Dunes, where we'll enjoy a traditional tea and a short rest. We'll leave our luggage at the hotel and depart on a camel caravan, which will take us to the Berber tent camp in about an hour. We'll stop along the way to watch the sunset over the dunes and stretch our legs before continuing to the camp. Before or after dinner, we'll have the opportunity to climb the dunes near the camp to enjoy the peace and quiet and the stars of this famous desert. We'll spend the night in a traditional Berber tent. Accommodation in tents with dinner and breakfast, and a live Berber music show after dinner.

Day 3 Merzouga – Draa Valley – Anti Atlas – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

We will wake up early before dawn to watch the sunrise over the dune behind the camp. We will have breakfast and then return by 4x4 or camel to the hotel for our 3-day, 2-night excursion back to Marrakech from the Merzouga Desert. We will pass through Rissani, one of Morocco's oldest cities and the capital of the Alaouite dynasty, where we will stop at the edge of town to take a photo of the "gateway to the desert." Continuing through the arid yet fascinating pre-desert landscapes, we will reach the Draa Valley. There, we will stop to admire this beautiful valley alongside the river of the same name. The Draa is the longest river in Morocco, crossing the entire country into Mauritania, and another section reaches the White Beaches. We will then cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains (Ait Sauvage) to reach Ouarzazate, where we will have lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon we will cross the High Atlas Mountains to reach Marrakech. We'll let you know how far you can drive, and that concludes our 3-day, 2-night excursion from Marrakech to the Merzouga Sahara Desert in Morocco.