Morocco · Desert Adventure

3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour with Camel Trekking

3 Days Round trip from Marrakesh Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide
02 Enjoy camel trekking across the Sahara Desert's Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sunrise
03 Experience Todgha Gorges, with spectacular limestone river canyons reaching up to 400 meters high
04 Immerse yourself in Berber culture with authentic tagines and traditional music at the desert camp
05 Witness breathtaking views while driving through the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n'Tichka pass

Embark on a 3-day adventure from Marrakech to Merzouga, crossing the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi n'Tichka pass before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and the dramatic Todgha Gorges. Experience camel trekking across the Sahara Desert's Erg Chebbi dunes, watch the sunset and sunrise over the sand, and spend the night in a Berber camp. Along the way, enjoy local cuisine and immerse yourself in Moroccan culture.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the desert dunes on camelback, a truly magical experience.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Merzouga, Todgha Gorge, Erfoud, Rissani, Aït Benhaddou, Tizi n'Tichka, Erg Chebbi

Languages Arabic, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Marrakech to Tinghir via Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate

Morning

Pickup from your hotel in Marrakech around 7:20 am.
Begin the journey through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2260 m), the highest mountain road in Morocco. Enjoy the stunning views and stop for photos and a coffee break.

Mid-Morning

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, dating back to the 12th century. Explore the iconic kasbah and learn about its history with a local English-speaking guide.

Afternoon

After lunch, continue your journey and, time permitting, visit a movie studio in Ouarzazate, known as a filming location for several Hollywood movies.
Continue the drive northeast towards Tinghir.

Evening

Arrive at your comfortable hotel in Tinghir before sunset.
Enjoy dinner and share the day's experiences with your travel companions.

Day 02

Tinghir Oasis to Merzouga via Todgha Gorges and Erg Chebbi

Morning

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading to Todgha Gorges.
Meet a local guide and explore the spectacular limestone river canyons of Todgha, some reaching up to 400 meters high.

Late Morning

Continue the drive towards Merzouga, passing through Erfoud and Rissani.
Upon arrival, check into a local guesthouse. Pack a small backpack with essentials such as warmer clothes, a camera, and any necessary items for the night in the desert.

Afternoon

Meet your desert guides and board your camels for a ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, a vast sea of sand in the Sahara Desert. The dunes can reach up to 150 meters high and stretch over 20 kilometers.
After a one-hour camel ride, stop to climb the highest dune and watch the mesmerizing sunset over the desert.

Evening

Return to the desert camp, where you will be welcomed with traditional tea.
Enjoy a delicious dinner of tagines, tea, and local drum music under the stars at the Berber camp.

Day 03

Merzouga Desert Sunrise and Return to Marrakech

Early Morning

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the desert dunes on camelback, a truly magical experience.

Morning

Ride back to the guesthouse and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

Midday

Begin the long drive back to Marrakech, making several stops along the way to stretch and take in the views.

Evening

Arrive back in Marrakech around 7-8 pm, marking the end of your unforgettable 3-day desert adventure.

Where this trip takes you

High Atlas Mountains, Tizi n'Tichka pass, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Erg Chebbi dunes

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Marrakesh 10 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Air-conditioned transport
Driver (English/French speaking)
2 dinners
2 breakfasts
1st night in the hotel at Tinghir
2nd night in the desert camp
Camel rides at sunset and sunrise
Local taxes

What's Not Included

3 lunches
Drinks
Tips
Guide at Ait Ben Haddou
Entrance fee at Ait Ben Haddou

What to bring

Warm clothes for winter travel
Woolen socks
A hat
A jacket
Gloves
A larger scarf or Berber nomad turban/scarf
A small backpack for the desert night
Warmer clothes for the desert evening
A camera

Know before you go

Long drive: Merzouga Desert is quite far, with around 7 hours of driving on the first and last day, but there are plenty of stops along the way to explore local life and scenery.
Lunch options: Lunch is not included in most tours, and if you're on a budget, you can bring your own or choose more affordable local restaurants instead of tourist spots that may charge around 10€.
Traditional carpet weaving: Visit a local carpet weaving place in Tinghir, where you'll learn about traditional techniques and enjoy Moroccan tea. There is no pressure to buy, but purchases support local families.
Winter packing: If traveling in winter (December, January, February), pack warm clothes, as temperatures can drop to +2°C at night in the desert. Bring woolen socks, a hat, a jacket, and gloves.
Desert protection: To shield yourself from desert winds, bring a larger scarf or buy a Berber nomad turban/scarf at local shops. Camel guides can also help wrap it.
Luggage storage: You can leave your large luggage at the hotel or store it on the tour bus. Only take the essentials for your night in the desert in a small backpack.
Vegetarian options: Inform your driver if you're vegetarian and double-check with the desert camp to ensure a vegetarian meal is prepared for you.
Alternative end location: You can opt to finish the tour in Fez instead of returning to Marrakech. This requires an additional fee of around 130€ for transportation to Fez, but it's a great option if you're planning to go there with friends.