Luxury Desert Camp: 3 Days Marrakech to Merzouga with Camel Trek
Kasbahs, gorges and a night under the stars on the road over the High Atlas
You ride a camel into the Sahara dunes, try sandboarding, and sleep in a luxury tent with its own private bathroom. The tour runs from Marrakech over the High Atlas, past Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades and Todgha gorges, to Merzouga, with one night in a traditional hotel in Dades along the way.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Atlas Mountains
- Depart Marrakech crossing High Atlas
- Stop for breakfast or Moroccan tea
- Stop at Tizi-n-Tichka Pass for photos
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Lunch at Ait Ben Haddou
- Optional: Visit Ouarzazate studio
- Drive through Valley of Roses
- Arrive and overnight in Dades Valley hotel
Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert
- Breakfast in Dades Valley
- Visit Dades Gorges
- Visit Tinghir village and meet locals
- Walk in Todra Gorge
- Lunch and coffee break
- Drive to Merzouga Desert
- Ride camel to desert camp
- Overnight in luxury desert camp
Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains
- Sunrise camel ride back to hotel
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive through Draa Valley
- Stop for lunch in Roses Valley
- Cross High Atlas Mountains Tizi-n-Tichka Pass
- Return to Marrakech
What’s included
- One night in a private room in Dades valley.
- Professional driver.
- Camel ride into the Sahara dunes, one camel each.
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or riad.
- One night in a luxury tent camp in Merzouga with private bathroom.
- Every day 07:00
Information
You cross the High Atlas, walk Ait Ben Haddou and the Todgha Gorge, then ride camels into the Sahara to sleep in a luxury tent under the stars.
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The experience
The road out of Marrakech climbs over the High Atlas, and at the Tizi-n'Tichka pass, 2260 m up, you stop for a cup of Moroccan tea and then for a panoramic view that makes the climb worth it. Further on, Ait Ben Haddou rises from the foothills of the High Atlas, a clay-brick ksar on the UNESCO World Heritage list. You walk around its houses and towers for about an hour, then eat lunch in the village.
In the afternoon the road runs through the valley of a thousand kasbahs to Dades, where you sleep in a private room with dinner and breakfast. The next morning the Todgha Gorge opens around you, walls about 300 metres high, and a walk of around 30 minutes lets you feel how small you are beside them. In Tinghir you see how life works in a Berber village, then stop along the way to look at the old irrigation system.
Merzouga comes after the Erfoud stretch, and the camels are waiting. You ride them into the dunes as the sun goes down, try sandboarding on the sand, and reach a luxury tent with its own private bathroom for dinner, breakfast and a night under the starry sky. Before the sun comes up you are on a camel again, watching the dawn over the dunes. Then comes breakfast and the drive back, with lunch at the Roses Valley of Kelaat M'Gouna and one more crossing of the Tizi-n'Tichka pass before Marrakech.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Infant (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
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 I ride a camel to the desert camp?
Yes. You ride a camel from Merzouga into the dunes to reach the camp, watching the sundown on the way.
Does the desert camp have a private bathroom?
Yes. The luxury tent camp in the Merzouga dunes has its own private bathroom, and dinner and breakfast are included.
Is sandboarding part of the Sahara portion?
Yes. Sandboarding in the Sahara dunes is included, along with the camel trek.
Do I stop at Ait Ben Haddou on this tour?
Yes. You walk around the ksar for about one hour and have lunch in the village.
Where do I sleep before reaching the desert?
In a private room in Dades valley, with dinner and breakfast included. The room is in a traditional hotel.
Is there a walk at Todgha Gorge?
Yes. You walk for about 30 minutes in the gorge, which has walls about 300 metres high, before lunch on the road.
Operated by Around Marrakech Tours - Morocco tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Luxury Desert Camp: 3 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Camel Trek
3d · EN · ES · FR +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 213 per person
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