3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Tour with Desert Camp

• Start early in the morning with a drive east of Marrakech past small suburban towns to the High Atlas Mountains. Make a few stops along the way to take photos, enjoy the scenery, stretch your legs, and drink a cup of coffee.

• Drive uphill on winding roads to the famous Tizi N'tichka pass before reaching Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou, the first major sightseeing stop of the day. The Berber fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO-listed landmark and is also known as a set for major Hollywood epics, including 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. Have lunch at one of the local cafes.

• Continue to Dades Valley, driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, and Klaa Mgouna, the capital of the Valley of the Roses, which is famous for its rosewater artisanal distillation factories.

• Upon arrival at Boumalne Dades, follow the Dades River on a tiny road passing different fortified kasbahs located along the roadside to Dades Canyons. You will arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon. Have dinner and stay the night at your Dades hotel.

• Drive along the Road of 1001 Kasbahs to the oasis of Tinghir, where you will deviate to a minor road running along the river to Todgha. Stop for a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees and continue to Todgha Gorges. Enjoy some free time to take in 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 of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara Desert to Tombouctou. After a quick stop, continue to Merzouga, driving through a rocky desert landscape.

• Upon arrival at Palais Des Dunes Lodge, feel free to take a swim in the refreshing pool before getting ready for your sunset desert trek to the camp.

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

• Reach the Sahara desert camp before darkness. After some time to admire the 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 entertain you with their drums.

Accommodation: Comfortable & luxury desert camp

• Go on a sunrise camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes.

• Arrive at the camp operator's lodge for breakfast. Go for a shower and maybe a quick swim in the lodge pool if time permits.

• Meet your driver and vehicle and head back to Ouarzazate. After some time, have lunch and continue to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains. Your tour will end in Marrakech at about 07:00 pm.