Morocco · Desert Adventure

3-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech with Aït Ben Haddou

3 Days Round trip from Tizi n'Tichka Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Capture breathtaking views at Tizi n'Tichka pass, North Africa's highest mountain pass
  • 02 Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Ben Haddou, renowned for its fortified architecture
  • 03 Wander through the enchanting landscapes of Dades Valley, filled with lush oases
  • 04 Navigate the stunning Todra Gorges, featuring impressive vertical canyon walls
  • 05 Embark on a thrilling camel trek across the golden sands of the Sahara
  • 06 Gaze at the stunning sunrise illuminating the Erg Chebbi dunes

Set off from Marrakech through scenic countryside and across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest major mountain pass in North Africa. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Ben Haddou, a fortified village famed as a backdrop for major films and TV shows, then continue to the dramatic landscapes of Dades Valley and Todra Gorges. In Merzouga, enjoy a camel trek across the Sahara to a traditional Berber desert camp, where you will spend the night under the stars. The journey ends with a mesmerising sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes and a return through the lush Draa Valley and Berber villages.

Sleep in your luxury tent under millions of twinkling stars, serenaded by gentle tunes played by happy Berber musicians.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Luxury
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Marrakech, Merzouga, Todgha Gorge, Aït Benhaddou, Tizi n'Tichka, Erg Chebbi, Dadès Gorges
Languages English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou and Dades Valley

  • Your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga gets off to a flying start after an early breakfast, with your friendly, experienced, English-speaking Ethnic Morocco Tours guide picking you up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
  • You will then set off on a drive through scenic countryside to the High Atlas Mountains, crossing them via the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 7,234 ft (2,205 metres) above sea level, making it the highest major mountain pass in North Africa. It is known as the "Gateway to the Sahara" and provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Nearing the Sahara, you will visit one of our favourite places in Morocco, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Ben Haddou, a stunning walled village built on the slopes of a high hill with a fortified kasbah on top. Aït Ben Haddou has served as a backdrop for numerous Hollywood films and TV shows, including Indiana Jones and Game of Thrones.
  • Moving on from Aït Ben Haddou, you will next arrive at the spectacular Dades Valley, known for its dramatic rock formations, oases, and date palm groves. The Dades Valley is truly a paradise for nature lovers, with abundant unusual species of plants, animals, and birds. You will spend the night in an excellent hotel in the heart of the valley.
2
Day 02

Dades Valley, Todra Gorges, and Sahara Camel Trek

  • On the second day of your tour, you will leave the Dades Valley and travel through the Todra Gorges, narrow canyons with high, vertical walls that are very popular with rock climbers and offer a unique blend of natural beauty and adventure.
  • Heading onward toward the Sahara over barren rocks, you will suddenly see the vast dunes of Erg Chebbi looming on the horizon like a mountain range.
  • At their foothills lies Merzouga town, where your trusty steeds await for an exciting camel trek over the shifting sands to reach your desert nomad camp. The sun setting over the dunes is an incredible sight.
  • Here, you will spend the night in a traditional Berber desert encampment, enjoy a sumptuous dinner, and then sit beside the campfire exchanging stories with your Berber hosts.
  • Sleep in your luxury tent under millions of twinkling stars, serenaded by gentle tunes played by happy Berber musicians.
3
Day 03

Erg Chebbi Sunrise, Draa Valley, and Return to Marrakech

It's the early bird who catches the worm on the third day, as you are awoken to witness a mesmerising desert sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

After returning to Merzouga by camel, observing the shortening shadows as the sun rises, there is time for a shower and to freshen up before leaving for your next stop: the Draa Valley. The Draa River provides for the lush vegetation growing along its margins and supplies water for the numerous impressive kasbahs located along its length.

After luncheon, you will head back to Marrakech across beautiful, varied landscapes, passing many Berber villages along the way.

Your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga concludes when your driver drops you off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech by 7:00 pm.

Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, Erg Chebbi dunes, Dades Valley oases

Where this trip takes you

Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, Erg Chebbi dunes, Dades Valley oases

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Tizi n'Tichka 7 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private modern transportation with A/C
  • Professional driver speaking English, French, or Spanish
  • Enough water throughout the trip
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Hotel accommodation in Dades Valley
  • Luxury Berber tent in the Sahara Desert
  • 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts
  • Camel ride desert tour
  • Sunset and sunrise experience
  • Sandboarding

What's Not Included

  • Any private expenses
  • Lunch and beverages
  • Tips (optional)

Know before you go

  • Vegetarian option available.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakesh, Morocco
Tour start
Tizi n'Tichka, Tizi N'Tichka, Morocco
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Tizi n'Tichka.

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