3-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakesh with Erg Chebbi Camp Stay

Begin your desert trip from Marrakesh to Merzouga early in the morning. Drive east of Marrakesh, passing through small suburban towns on the way 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.

Continue uphill on curvy roads to the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass before reaching Aït Benhaddou, the first major sightseeing stop of the day. This Berber fortified village is a UNESCO-listed landmark and is also known as a filming location for major Hollywood epics, including Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator.

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

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

Arrive at Boumalne Dades and follow the Dades River along a small road lined with different fortified Kasbahs on the way to Dades Canyons. You will arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon.

After breakfast at your hotel in Dades Valley, start the journey with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to the oasis of Tinghir. From there, take a smaller road along the Todra River, where you will stop for a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees before continuing to Todgha Gorges.

Afterwards, enjoy the immensity of the huge cliffs and have lunch at a local café. Continue early in the afternoon to Rissani, famous for its dates market and as a starting point for the ancient trading caravans that crossed the Sahara Desert to Tombouctou.

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

Arrive at Palais Des Dunes lodge, where you are free to take a swim in the refreshing pool before getting ready for your sunset desert trek to the camp.

Meet your camel caravan and ride 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 beside the campfire.

Late at night, your local nomad hosts will entertain you with their drums. Then settle into your accommodation at the desert camp for your second night.

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

Meet your driver and begin the drive back to Ouarzazate.

After some leisure time for lunch, continue in the afternoon to Marrakesh through the High Atlas Mountains.

End your 3-day desert tour in Marrakesh at about 19:00.