3-Day Marrakech Desert Tour with Camel Ride to Merzouga

You ride camels across Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, then sleep under stars in a desert camp.

A 3-day private tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert with an English-speaking driver or guide, covering High Atlas Mountains, the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, Todra Gorge, and two nights of accommodation. The route includes a camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes, a night in a luxury desert camp with Berber music and dinner, and pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation. Lunches and entrance fees are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Atlas Mountains

• Pick up from riad in Marrakech
• Drive through High Atlas Mountains to Tizi-N-Tichka Pass
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Lunch along Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
• Optional stop at monkey fingers rock formations
• Overnight in Dades Valley hotel

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast in Dades Valley
• Visit Tinghir Oasis and Todra Gorge
• Drive to Merzouga desert
• Camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes
• Stop for sunset at high dune
• Ride camels to desert camp
• Enjoy traditional dinner and Berber drumming
• Overnight in luxury desert camp

Day 3: Merzouga Desert to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Optional sunrise over dunes
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Drive via Draa River to Ouarzazate
• Lunch in Ouarzazate
• Return via High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech
• Drop off at accommodation in Marrakech

The experience

The tour leaves Marrakech at 8:00 am and climbs through the High Atlas Mountains to Tizi-N-Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. You stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO site and famous movie filming location, then drive the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" toward Dades Valley, with an optional detour to the "monkey fingers" rock formations. The first night is in a 3-star hotel in Dades Valley.

Day two takes you from Dades through Tinghir Oasis to Todra Gorge, a 300-meter-high canyon carved into the landscape. From there, you continue to Merzouga desert for a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes. The route includes a stop at a high dune for sunset, then a camel ride to the luxury desert camp where you spend the night. Dinner is traditional Moroccan, followed by Berber drumming and a campfire. The camp is 3-star accommodation like Les Roche Desert Camp or similar.

On the final morning, you have the option to watch sunrise over the dunes before breakfast. The return journey goes via Draa River to Ouarzazate, where you stop for lunch, then climbs back through the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Drop-off is at your accommodation. The tour uses an air-conditioned modern 4×4 SUV or van, and sandboarding is included as part of the desert experience.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation.
• two nights of accommodation (3-star hotel in Dades Valley and luxury desert camp in Merzouga).
• air-conditioned 4×4 SUV or van with driver.
• English-speaking driver or guide.
• camel trekking across Erg Chebbi dunes.
• sandboarding.
• traditional Moroccan dinner and Berber music at the desert camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (5 to 60 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Visit Maghreb Agency

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a fixed itinerary covering the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, and Merzouga in one trip: your stops and timing follow the planned route, not your own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What's included in the 3-day tour price from Marrakech to Merzouga?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation, two nights of hotel accommodation (one in Dades Valley, one in the Merzouga desert camp), an air-conditioned 4×4 SUV or van with driver, a camel trekking experience, sandboarding, and an English-speaking driver or guide. Lunches, beverages, and entrance fees to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah are not included.

What happens on the night in the desert camp?

The Merzouga desert camp is a luxury 3-star facility where you stay after your camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner is a traditional Moroccan meal, and the evening includes a campfire and Berber drumming. You have the option to wake for sunrise over the dunes the next morning before breakfast.

How high is Todra Gorge and what do you do there?

Todra Gorge is a 300-meter-high canyon that you walk through on day two of the tour. It lies between Tinghir Oasis and Merzouga desert on the route, and gives you a chance to see the dramatic rock formations before continuing to the dunes.

What is Ait Ben Haddou and why do you visit it?

Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO-listed kasbah (fortified village) that has been used as a filming location for major movies. You visit it on day one as part of the drive through Morocco's cultural and historical landmarks on the way to Dades Valley.

Can I do the camel trek myself, or is it a guided ride?

The camel trekking experience is included in the tour itinerary. You ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a stop at a high dune for sunset before continuing to the desert camp.