3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Tour with Camel Trek

Summary

Marrakech Desert Adventure: Atlas Mountains, Kasbahs & Erg Chebbi

You’ll cross mountains, wander ancient kasbahs, ride camels into real Sahara dunes, and sleep under stars—all guided by locals who know every shortcut and story along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We set off just after breakfast, the city of Marrakech still waking up as we loaded our bags into the van. The air felt cool—almost crisp—before the sun really got going. Our driver, Youssef, had a playlist of old Moroccan pop that played softly as we wound our way out of town. The Tichka Pass was something else; hairpin turns and sudden drops made my stomach flutter, but the views were worth it. At Telouet Kasbah, I could smell dust and wild herbs in the breeze. We wandered through Ait Ben Haddou’s maze of mud-brick walls—our guide explained how locals still live here, even though film crews come and go. Lunch was simple: tagine and bread at a roadside café where a stray cat kept eyeing my plate. Later, Ouarzazate’s Taourirt Kasbah glowed pink in the late afternoon light before we continued through endless palm groves to Boumalne Dades for dinner and a warm bed in a family-run riad.

The next morning started early with fresh bread and mint tea. Driving along the Dades Valley, I noticed how the light shifted on the red cliffs—sometimes golden, sometimes almost purple. We stopped at Todra Gorges; you can hear water trickling somewhere below while climbers shout from above. After lunch near Tinjdad (the olives here are salty and sharp), we visited Erfoud’s fossil museum—tiny ammonites everywhere! By late afternoon, sand began to creep into view. In Merzouga, our camel guide Hassan greeted us with a grin and handed out scarves for the ride. The camels plodded quietly over soft dunes; I could feel grains of sand between my fingers as I held on. Sunset turned everything orange and silent except for distant laughter from another group. That night at camp, dinner was served under stars so bright it felt unreal—someone played drums by the fire until we crawled into our tents.

If you’re up before dawn (I managed it), sunrise on the dunes is quiet magic—the kind that makes you forget your phone exists. After breakfast back at camp, we rode camels again to meet our driver for the long road home through Draa Valley. Rissani’s market was just opening as we passed by; you catch whiffs of spices and diesel in the air. Lunch in Nkob came with stories about Berber tribes from our host Fatima—she pointed out kasbahs dotting the hillsides nearby. We stopped one last time at Tizi n Tnifift for photos before crossing back over the High Atlas toward Marrakech, tired but happy to have seen so much in just three days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Boumalne Dades

• Pickup from Marrakech and drive to Ouarzazate
• Cross Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Lunch break, visit Ouarzazate and Taourirt Kasbah
• Visit Skoura palm grove and Roses valley
• Drive to Boumalne via Dades valley, dinner and stay

Day 2 — Boumalne to Merzouga Dunes

• Drive to Tineghir, panoramic Dades Valley view
• Stop at Todra palm grove and Todra Gorges
• Lunch and walk through gorges, visit fossil museum
• Camel ride to Erg Chebbi dunes, sunset and dinner

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech

• Sunrise camel ride and breakfast in Merzouga
• Drive through Draa valley, stop at Nkob for lunch
• Photo stop at Tizi n Tnifift, continue to Ouarzazate
• Cross High Atlas, return to Marrakech, drop off

Top questions

Is this trip suitable for young kids or older travelers?

Yes! The tour is designed for all ages—kids can ride with adults on camels or stay comfortable in our vehicle when needed.

What should I pack for this Sahara trip?

Bring layers—it gets chilly at night but warm during the day. Sunglasses, sunscreen, comfy shoes, and maybe a scarf for sand are handy too.

Are meals included? What kind of food will we eat?

Two dinners and two breakfasts are included—expect Moroccan classics like tagine and couscous plus fresh bread and mint tea.

Will there be electricity or Wi-Fi at the desert camp?

The camp has basic electricity for lights but Wi-Fi is limited or not available—it's part of what makes it special!

What’s included

Your trip covers transport with fuel and driver-guide throughout; one night in a local hotel (with dinner) near Dades Gorges; one night in a Merzouga desert camp (with dinner); two breakfasts; camel trek led by an experienced guide; plus plenty of stops for photos and stories along the way.