Morocco · Desert Adventure

3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Marrakesh with Ait Benhaddou

3 Days Round trip from Boumalne Dades Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Sahara Desert's dramatically changing landscapes
02 Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
03 Travel to Rissani, the historic starting point for Sahara trading caravans
04 Pass valleys and rocky plateaus to reach the vast Erg Chebbi dunes

See the culture and heritage of the local kasbahs of the Merzouga Desert as you traverse the fertile Haouz plains, the High Atlas Mountains, and oases. Explore valleys and rocky plateaus to reach the vast Erg Chebbi dunes, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, renowned for featuring in several Hollywood blockbuster movies. Also travel to Rissani, the starting point for trading caravans crossing the Sahara Desert to Tombouctou.

Marvel at the colour-changing sand dunes as you ride your camel into the setting sun - a truly fantastic experience.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Merzouga, Rissani, Aït Benhaddou, Erg Chebbi, Boumalne Dades

Languages Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Marrakesh to Boumalne Dades via Ait Benhaddou

Start your 3-day Marrakech desert tour in the early hours of the morning.
Leave for Kasbah Ait Benhaddou at 7:30 am. You will travel through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains, with several stops along the way.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. You will explore the kasbah, renowned for featuring in several Hollywood blockbuster movies.
Enjoy a leisurely tour of Kasbah Taourirt and then continue to Ouarzazate. As the day progresses, drive through Boumalne Dades before arriving at your hotel in Dades Valley for the night.

Day 02

Boumalne Dades to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi Camp

Travel along the Road of 1001 Kasbahs to the Oasis of Tinghir, then take a smaller road following the river to Todgha Canyons, where you will spend time admiring the breathtaking scenery and immense cliffs.
Continue to Rissani and stop for lunch. This town is known for two important reasons: it was the starting point for trading caravans crossing the Sahara Desert to Tombouctou, and it is world-famous for its date markets.
Continue to Merzouga, where you will meet your camel caravan at the Erg Chebbi dunes and begin your camel trekking adventure.
Marvel at the colour-changing sand dunes as you ride your camel into the setting sun - a truly fantastic experience.
Arrive at your Sahara Desert camp, which appears seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Here, you will enjoy a Moroccan dinner and relax beside a cosy bonfire while taking in the awe-inspiring sand dunes and surrounding landscapes.
After dinner, local nomads will treat you to a drum concert. Be sure to take lots of photos, because when you return home, you may wonder if your trip to Merzouga was just a dream after all.

Day 03

Merzouga to Marrakesh

Start your camel ride back to the main road to meet your driver, ready for the return to Ouarzazate. Enjoy a leisurely lunch.
Then head towards Marrakech. Your memorable 3-day Marrakech desert tour will end at around 7:00 pm in Marrakesh.

Where this trip takes you

Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, Kasbah Taourirt, Erg Chebbi, Boumalne Dades

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Boumalne Dades 8 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

You will be collected from your Marrakesh hotel at the beginning of your tour, or picked up from the closest access point to your accommodation.
Your first night's accommodation at the hotel in Dades Valley includes your evening meal and breakfast.
In addition to your camel trekking adventure, your second night's accommodation at our hidden desert camp at Erg Chebbi includes your evening meal and breakfast.

What's Not Included

Lunches and beverages
Personal expenses
Local (Moroccan) guide at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which is optional

What to bring

Warm clothes in the winter season
Trousers or jeans for camel trekking (shorts and skirts are not recommended)
Phone and camera chargers
Hat and sunscreen
Sunglasses

Know before you go

3 Days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour:

Marrakech 3 days desert tour departs daily from Marrakech and is our most popular desert tour. This tour has been designed for travellers eager to explore deep into the Morocco Sahara Desert and who do not mind driving long hours. You will have a fantastic time touring the desert and Merzouga, and you will not feel a drop of boredom. The landscape changes dramatically, beginning with the fertile Haouz plains of Marrakesh and the High Atlas Mountains, then continuing through oases and valleys, on to the rocky plateaus, and finally to the unbelievable Erg Chebbi dunes. Just make sure you bring your camera because you will see sites you have never seen before, places you could not imagine in your wildest dreams!

We suggest that you pack the following items for your Marrakech 3 days desert trip: