3-Day Merzouga Sahara Camel Trek from Marrakech, Sunrise on the Dunes
Rose-gold sand, a Berber tent and a night under the stars
Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, then again the next morning, as they glow rose gold above the Sahara. This camel trek tour leaves Marrakech, crosses the High Atlas and Ait Benhaddou, and reaches Merzouga, with a night in a Dades kasbah and one in Berber tents.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley journey
- Depart Marrakech hotel
- Drive through High Atlas Mountains
- Pass Tizi-n-Tichka summit
- Visit Ait Benhaddou Ksar
- Explore Ouarzazate city and museum
- Drive to Valley of Roses
- See "toes of monkeys" rock formation
- Arrive at Dades Gorge hotel
Day 2: Dades Gorges to Merzouga desert
- Morning in Dades Gorge
- Meet local guide in Tinghir
- Visit Tinghir Oasis
- Explore Todra Gorges
- Lunch in Tinghir village
- Drive through Tin-jdad, Erfoud, Rissani
- Arrive Merzouga desert
- 45-minute camel ride at sunset
- Overnight in Berber tents
Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech return
- Early morning walk in sand
- Breakfast in Merzouga
- Depart Merzouga
- Photo stop in Alnif village
- Lunch with Atlas Mountains view
- Drive back to Marrakech
- Drop off at hotels or Riads
What’s included
- Camel trek through the dunes.
- Two nights' accommodation.
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- Every day 07:00 07:30
Information
You ride camels into Erg Chebbi's dunes at sunset and again at sunrise, sleep in Berber tents, and cross the High Atlas from Marrakech.
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The experience
The first stretch of road climbs out of Marrakech into the High Atlas, and the city gives way to slopes dotted with small douars. Near the Tizi-n'Tichka pass, at 2260 meters, the views open wide over the mountains. Then comes the ancient Ait Benhaddou Ksar, where you sit down to lunch amid its sights. Ouarzazate, called the door of the desert and the Hollywood of Africa, gives you 45 minutes to wander the cinema museum and the Taourirt Kasbah. Beyond it lies the Valley of Roses, where the people earn their living growing roses and turning them into oils and perfumes. The day ends in the Dades Gorge, where rock fingers rise beside the road, and your driver insists they belong to monkeys, though they are far too big for that.
The next day starts in Tinghir, where a local guide walks you through the oasis for about an hour and a half. The Todra Gorges come next, and after lunch in the same village the road runs through Tin-jdad, Erfoud and Rissani toward the dunes. In Merzouga you climb onto a camel for a 45-minute ride as the sun sinks and the sand turns orange, pink and purple. The evening brings Berber tents, folkloric dances and a fire to sit beside under the stars.
Before sunrise, another 45-minute camel ride carries you across the dunes to watch the sun come up over the Sahara. A morning walk in the sand comes next, followed by breakfast. On the way back, a restaurant in the High Atlas foothills serves a Berber meal with views of mountain villages, while the wind whistles through the peaks. Back in Marrakech, the journey has taken about 12 hours.
Top questions
Can I be picked up at my hotel?
You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 565 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 45 minutes before departure.
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years); Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Do you ride camels at sunset and at sunrise?
Yes, there are two 45-minute camel rides in the dunes. The first is at sunset in Merzouga, and the second is the next morning, to watch the sun come up over the Sahara.
Where do you sleep in the Sahara?
In Berber tents near Merzouga on the second night, under the stars. The evening includes folkloric dances and a fire by the tents.
Is Ait Benhaddou on the route, and is lunch there?
Yes, the route stops at Ait Benhaddou Ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, where you enjoy lunch among its sights.
How much time is there in Ouarzazate?
About 45 minutes after a 20-minute drive, enough to explore the cinema museum and Taourirt Kasbah.
Does the route include Tinghir and Todra Gorges?
Yes. A local guide shows you Tinghir Oasis for about 1.5 hours, then you visit Todra Gorges and have lunch in the same village.
How long is the drive back to Marrakech?
About 12 hours, with around 2 hours for lunch, toilet stops and photos. The route passes a restaurant in the Atlas foothills with views of Berber villages.
Operated by KARMA DIR TRAVEL. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
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3-Day Merzouga Sahara Camel Trek from Marrakech
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from US$ 292 per person
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