Itinerary

1. Day 1: Visit Marrakesh, Atlas Mountains and Aït Benhaddou

   • Begin your desert trip from Marrakesh to Merzouga early in the morning. Drive east of Marrakesh pass through small suburban towns to the high Atlas Mountains. A few stops will be made to take photos, enjoy the scenery, stretch your legs and drink a cup of coffee. 

   • Drive uphill on curvy roads to the famous Tizi n'Tichka pass before you reach Aït Benhaddou, the first major stop today for sightseeing. The Berber fortified village of Aït Benhaddou is a UNESCO-listed landmark and is also known as a set for major Hollywood epics, just to name a few movies that used the village for shooting: the Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. 

   • Cross the river separating the Kasbah from the main road and explore the village at leisure. Should you wish to hire a local guide, they are available onsite.

   • After lunch at leisure at one of the local cafes, continue to Dades Valley driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Kalaat M'Gouna, the capital of the valley of the roses, and famous for its rosewater artisanal distillation factories.

   • Arrive at Boumalne Dades, follow Dades River on a tiny road passing by different fortified Kasbahs located on the side of the road to Dades Canyons. You will arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon.

2. Day 2: Explore Dades Valley and Sahara Desert

   • After breakfast at your hotel in Dades Valley, start the journey with a drive along the road of 1001m Kasbahs to the oasis of Tinghir, where you will deviate to a minor road driving along the river Todra where you will stop for a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees and continue to Todgha Gorges. 

   • Afterwards, enjoy the immensity of the huge cliffs, and lunch at a local café, continue early in the afternoon to Rissani, famous for its dates market, and being a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Tombouctou.

   • After a quick stop, continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape.

   • Arrive at Palais Des Dunes lodge, feel free to take a swim at their freshening pool before getting ready for your sunset desert trek to the camp. 

   • Meet your camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing colour-changing sand dunes with the sunset on the horizon as a backdrop.

   • Reach the Sahara desert camp before darkness. 

   • After some time to admire the sand dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to the campfire.

   • Late at night, your local nomad hosts will be entertaining you with their drums. Arrive at your accommodation at the Second-night desert camp

3. Day 3: Trek to Erg Chebbi dunes

   • After an early sunrise camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes arrive at the camp operator's lodge for breakfast, shower, and take a quick swim at the lodge pool if time permits. 

   • Meet your driver and drive back to Ouarzazate.

   • After some time at leisure for lunch, carry on in the afternoon drive to Marrakesh through the High Atlas Mountains.

   • End your 3 days desert tour in Marrakesh at about 19:00.