3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Agadir: Camel Trek & Dades Valley

Cross Morocco's mountains and dunes in three days, sleeping under stars in the Sahara.

A 3-day tour from Agadir to Merzouga combines the Atlas Mountains, the kasbah at Aït Ben Haddou, Dades Valley and two nights of accommodation: one in a luxury riad, one in a desert camp. You ride camels at sunrise and sunset across Erg Chebbi dunes, watch Berber music and a campfire at the camp, and return to Agadir or Fes with a professional guide who speaks English, Spanish or French throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Agadir to Dades Valley via Ait Ben Haddou

• Depart Marrakech at 08:30 AM
• Drive through Atlas Mountains
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Lunch at Ait Ben Haddou
• Explore Ouarzazate
• Continue to Dades Valley
• Check-in at riad
• Enjoy traditional Moroccan dinner

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast at riad
• Travel through Tinjdad, Jorf, Erfoud
• Arrive at Merzouga
• Camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes
• Watch desert sunset
• Overnight at desert camp
• Dinner, music, and stargazing

Day 3: Merzouga to Agadir via Ziz Valley

• Sunrise from Erg Chebbi dunes
• Breakfast at camp
• Shower and freshen up
• Camel ride or 4WD transfer back
• Travel through Ziz Valley, Midelt, Ifrane
• Short walk in Azrou forest
• Arrive late afternoon in Fes
• Drop off at riad or hotel

The experience

Aït Ben Haddou sits on the route out of Agadir, a UNESCO-listed kasbah that has doubled as a film set for decades. The drive climbs through the Atlas Mountains in an air-conditioned 4WD, and lunch happens at the kasbah before you push on to Ouarzazate, the gateway town to the desert proper. By evening you're in Dades Valley, checked into a luxury riad with a traditional Moroccan dinner waiting.

Day two takes you deeper into the Sahara. After breakfast you travel through Tinjdad and Jorf toward Merzouga, where the real desert begins. A camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes carries you to watch the sunset from the sand, and you sleep that night in a luxury desert camp with en-suite tents, Berber drum music and a campfire. The camp sits in the dunes themselves, so stargazing happens from your tent or the open ground around the fire.

On the final morning you ride camels again to watch sunrise from the top of the dunes, or take a 4WD transfer if you prefer. After breakfast and a shower at the camp, the drive back crosses the Ziz Valley and passes through Ifrane, known locally as the little Switzerland of Morocco for its alpine feel and cedar forests. You'll stop briefly in Azrou to see Barbary apes in the Middle Atlas, then arrive in Fes or Agadir by late afternoon. Quad biking in Merzouga and sandboarding on the dunes are both included if you want them.

What’s included

• Pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech and drop-off in Fes or Agadir.
• a professional English-speaking driver and guide for all three days.
• private modern 4WD vehicle with air-conditioning. One night in a luxury riad in Dades Valley and one night in a luxury desert camp with en-suite tents.
• dinner on days one and two, breakfast on days two and three. Camel rides at sunrise and sunset in Erg Chebbi.
• quad biking and sandboarding in Merzouga.
• evening entertainment with Berber drum music and a campfire at the desert camp.
• all fuel costs for the journey.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Morocco Trip

Is this one for you?Book this if you want mountains, kasbahs, gorges and desert in one loop from Agadir: the three-day fixed schedule moves you through all four without backtracking to your starting point.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What's the camel ride actually like in Merzouga?

Erg Chebbi's dunes roll for miles, and the camel trek takes you across them at sunset on day two and sunrise on day three. One camel per person, and the camp provides the animals and handles the logistics. You just ride. The sunset crossing is the main event, and the sunrise ride lets you see the dunes light up before you head back to the camp for breakfast.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

Night one is in a luxury riad or boutique hotel in Dades Valley with superior amenities and upgraded dining. Night two is in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga with private tents that have en-suite bathrooms, so you're not roughing it. Both include dinner and breakfast.

Does the tour stop at Aït Ben Haddou?

Yes, Aït Ben Haddou is on day one's route from Agadir. You visit the kasbah, which is a UNESCO site and a famous film location, and have lunch there before continuing to Ouarzazate and Dades Valley. Entry to the kasbah is not included in the tour price.

Can I choose not to ride camels?

The camel rides at sunrise and sunset are part of the itinerary, but a 4WD transfer is available as an alternative if you prefer not to ride. You can pick whichever suits you on the day.

What happens on the drive back to Agadir?

Day three follows the Ziz Valley north through Midelt and Ifrane, a mountain town with alpine scenery and cedar forests. You stop in Azrou for a short walk to see Barbary apes in the Middle Atlas, then continue to Fes or Agadir, arriving in late afternoon. The full route covers 467 kilometers.