3 Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech with Luxury Camp

Summary

Sahara Desert Adventure: Camel Ride & Luxury Camp in Merzouga

If you want to see Morocco’s desert without rushing or missing real moments—like camel rides at sunset or music by firelight under endless stars—this trip delivers all that plus comfort along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we left Marrakech was the cool morning air—crisp, almost sharp, before the sun really got going. Our driver took us up winding roads through the High Atlas, and every so often we'd pull over for mint tea at little roadside cafés. The villages—Ait Berka and Ait Ben Amer—felt like they were clinging to the mountainside, all red clay and quiet goats. By the time we reached Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, my ears popped from the altitude (2260 meters!), and you could see snow on some peaks even in spring. Ait Ben Haddou was something else—walking those narrow alleys with our guide, Youssef, who grew up nearby, you could almost hear echoes of old caravan traders. Lunch was simple but good: tagine with fresh bread at a tiny spot just outside the kasbah walls.

Ouarzazate felt busier—locals call it “Hollywood of Morocco” because of all the movies shot here. We wandered through Taourirt Kasbah and peeked into the Cinema Museum; there’s this faint smell of dust and old film reels inside. Heading east, we stopped in Kelaa M’Gouna—the air smelled faintly sweet from rosewater distilleries—and then on to Boumalne Dades. The rock formations near Dades Gorges look like giant monkey paws; our guide joked about them being “the monkeys’ home.” That night at Kasbah de Tessidrine, I slept better than expected—the walls are thick, so it’s quiet except for a distant rooster early in the morning.

Next day started early with breakfast—flatbread and honey—before we drove to Tinghir. The palm groves there are greener than you’d think for this part of Morocco. We walked along irrigation channels while kids played nearby; it’s peaceful but lively at the same time. Todra Gorge is massive—the cliffs rise straight up and you can hear water trickling below even when everything else is silent. After lunch in Tinghir (try the Berber omelette if you get a chance), we hit the road again toward Merzouga.

The landscape flattens out as you get closer to Merzouga—suddenly it’s all sand and sky. We switched to camels just before sunset; riding out onto those dunes is surreal, especially as everything turns gold-orange for a few minutes before dusk settles in. Our camp was already set up—a cluster of big tents with carpets underfoot and lanterns everywhere. Dinner was couscous and grilled chicken while local musicians played drums around a fire; I’ll never forget lying back after dark, watching more stars than I’ve ever seen in my life.

Last morning came too soon—breakfast was quick (coffee’s strong here) before piling back into the van for Marrakech. The drive back is long but not dull; I dozed off somewhere past Ouarzazate but woke up just as we rolled into city traffic around 7:30 pm, feeling dusty but happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades via Ait Ben Haddou

• Visit Berber villages and Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Explore Ouarzazate medina and cinema museum
• Photo stops at Kelaa M'Gouna and Dades Gorges
• Visit Dades valley, Kasbah Ait Youl, and monkey rocks

Day 2 — Tinghir, Todra Gorges, and Merzouga Desert

• Guided tour of Tinghir valleys and Todra gorges
• Travel to Merzouga and overnight in desert tents
• Camel ride to watch sunset

Day 3 — Return to Marrakech from Merzouga

• Travel back to Marrakech

Top questions

Is this Sahara desert tour suitable for families?

This tour works well for families with older kids or teens who enjoy adventure and don’t mind some long drives or camel rides.

What should I pack for this 3 day desert trip?

Bring layers—it gets chilly at night even if days are warm, plus sunscreen, sunglasses, comfy shoes, and maybe a scarf for sand.

Are meals included during the tour?

Main meals are included during your stay; lunches are usually traditional Moroccan dishes served at local spots along the route.

How comfortable is the luxury camp in Merzouga?

The tents have real beds and private bathrooms—they’re much more comfortable than basic camping but still feel authentic.

What’s included

Your trip covers two nights’ accommodation (one in a traditional kasbah hotel, one in a luxury desert camp), camel ride at sunset, air-conditioned transport throughout, plus most meals along the way. Specialized infant seats are available if needed; just let us know ahead of time.