3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour with Camel Trek

Summary

Marrakech Sahara Adventure: Camel Ride & Desert Camp Experience

You’ll cross mountains, explore ancient kasbahs, ride camels at sunset, and share music by a desert campfire—all in just three days from Marrakech to Merzouga.

What’s the experience like?

We left Marrakech just as the city was waking up, the air still cool and a bit dusty. Our driver, Youssef, picked us up right at our riad’s door—no hassle. The road climbed fast into the High Atlas Mountains, twisting through Tizi n’Tichka pass. I remember stopping for mint tea at a roadside café where the owner’s radio played old chaabi songs. The views of Berber villages clinging to the hillsides were something I’d only seen in postcards before. By late morning, we reached Ait Ben Haddou—a maze of mud-brick walls and narrow alleys. Our guide shared stories about old caravans and pointed out spots from movies like “Gladiator.” Lunch was simple—tagine with olives—on a terrace overlooking the ksar. Afterward, we checked out Atlas Film Studios (the pharaoh statues are huge up close), then drove past Skoura’s palm groves before ending up in Dades Valley for the night. The hotel there had thick blankets; it gets chilly after sunset.

The next day started with fresh bread and honey for breakfast. Driving towards Tinghir, we passed small roadside stands selling dates and figs—couldn’t resist grabbing a handful. At Todra Gorge, the cliffs rose so high you had to lean back to see the top; you could hear water trickling somewhere below even though it was dry season. We stopped in Tinjdad for lunch—grilled brochettes and sweet mint tea—before heading east through Erfoud and Rissani. By late afternoon, those first orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appeared on the horizon. There’s nothing like that moment when you swap shoes for sandals and climb onto your camel as the sun starts dipping low. The ride was quiet except for soft hoofbeats in the sand and a breeze that smelled faintly of sagebrush. At camp, Berber hosts greeted us with tea; later, we watched sunset from a dune top before dinner under a sky packed with stars. Drums around the fire went late into the night.

Sunrise came early but nobody minded—it’s worth it to see those dunes turn gold while everything else is still half-asleep. After riding camels back to Merzouga (my legs were sore but happy), we grabbed showers and breakfast at a local guesthouse before piling into the van again. The drive back took us through little towns like Alnif and Nkob—places where time seems slower—and past clusters of date palms near Agdz. We made it back to Marrakech by evening, sandy shoes and all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades Valley

• Drive through Atlas Mountains, photo stops, breakfast
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Lunch at Ait Ben Haddou
• Visit Atlas Film Studios
• Drive to Skoura and Dades Valley
• Overnight in Dades Valley hotel

Day 2 — Dades Valley to Desert Camp

• Breakfast
• Explore Todra Gorges
• Lunch in Tinjdad village
• Drive through Arfoud and Rissani to Merzouga
• Relax and Berber tea at hotel
• Camel ride to desert camp
• Relax and tea with nomads
• Sunset at dunes
• Dinner and campfire music

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech

• Sunrise in desert
• Camel ride back to hotel, breakfast, shower
• Drive back to Marrakech via Alnif, Nkob, Agdaz

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with kids?

Yes! Kids love the camel ride and desert camp experience. Let us know their ages so we can prepare comfortable arrangements.

What should I pack for this trip?

Bring layers—it gets cold at night in the desert even if days are warm. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are also handy.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Absolutely! Just let us know your dietary needs when booking so we can arrange meals accordingly.

How long is each camel ride?

The camel trek lasts about 1–1.5 hours each way between Merzouga and the desert camp.

What’s included

Your transport from Marrakech (air-conditioned van or minibus), English-speaking driver/guide, two nights’ accommodation (one hotel in Dades Valley, one Berber tent in Erg Chebbi), breakfasts and dinners, guided visits (Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah & Atlas Studios), camel rides to/from camp, plus plenty of mint tea along the way!