3-Day Road Trip Through Merzouga Desert From Marrakech
Description
Explore the stunning desert of Merzouga on this tour from Marrakech as you visit mud-brick fortified Berber villages of Ait Ben Haddou. Follow the Dades River as you pass by different Kasbahs and the Valley of the Roses to reach Dades Canyons. Ride a camel on the desert and end your tour after watching the sunrise at the colour-changing dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Highlights
- Observe the changing colours of Erg Chebbi while riding a camel
- Visit the fortified Berber village of Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO landmark)
- Enjoy a walk alongside the Todgha river bank
- Explore lush green oases and limestone canyons
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains -Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley expand_more
Start your desert trip early in the morning by driving to the east of Marrakech, past small suburban towns to the high Atlas Mountains.
Drive uphill on curvy roads to the famous Tizi n'tichka pass before you reach Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the first major stop for sightseeing.
Cross the river separating the Kasbah from the main road and explore the village.
After lunch at one of the local cafes, continue to the Dades valley while driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, and El-Kelaat M'Gouna, the capital of the valley of the roses, and famous for its rosewater artisanal distillation factories.
Upon arrival at Boumalne Dades, follow Dades River on a tiny road as you pass by different fortified Kasbahs located on the side of the road, to Dades Canyons.
Arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon.
Have dinner and stay overnight at your Dades hotel.
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Day 2: Dades Valley -Tinghir - Todra Gorge - Erfoud - Merzouga desert expand_more
After breakfast, drive through the 1001 Kasbahs road to Tinghir, where you can enjoy a walk along the Todgha river bank.
Visit the Berber villages and Ksours to end up in the impressive landscapes of huge cliffs of Todgha gorges.
Treat yourself to a delicious Berber lunch in the Gorges before you continue to Merzouga.
Upon arrival at Erg Chebbi, meet your camel caravan to ride your camel and drive over the colour-changing sand dunes to watch one of the most dramatic sunsets.
Return to your Sahara desert camp, where Moroccan dinner will be served next to the campfire, while you get entertained by the local nomads playing their drums, and the nearby dunes expose a great display of shooting stars and crystal clear constellations.
Stay overnight at your Sahara desert camp.
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Day 3: Merzouga - Errisani- Alnif -Tinghir - Marrakech expand_more
After an early sunrise camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes, drive back to Ouarzazate.
After lunch, carry on in the afternoon to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.
End your trip in Marrakech at about 7:00 PM.
What's Included
Pick up from your Marrakech riad/hotel on the tour day (or the closest accessible point to your riad)
A/C modern van for 7 passengers, minivan for 8 passengers, or minibus for a maximum of 16 passengers: driven by an English/ French speaking driver/guide
First night in Dades Valley hotel including dinner and breakfast
Sunrise camel ride in Erg Chebbi
Comfortable tent in Sahara Desert Merzouga Camp
Sunrise camel ride in Erg Chebbi
Drop off at your Marrakech hotel or the closest accessible location to your riad if its not accessible by car.
What's Excluded
Beverages
Lunches on the way
Entrance fees if any
Optional local guide in Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou - €3 per person
Personal expenses
Know before you go
Upgrade to a deluxe camp with an en-suite tent available upon booking your desert tour ( €50 per person ).
You will be given plenty of breaks during the road trip to click pictures and eat food.
The Berber villages of Ait Ben Hadou have been featured in many Hollywood movies such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Lawrence of Arabia.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
Standard | |
1 To 16 | EUR 250 Per Person |
This is a group tour |