Marrakech to Merzouga: 3-Day Desert Tour & Camel Ride

Three Days Crossing Morocco: Marrakech to the Sahara's Edge

You cross the High Atlas, explore the kasbah at Aït Benhaddou and the Todra Gorge, ride a camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, and spend a night in a desert camp with Berber music and a traditional dinner. Transport, two hotel nights, two breakfasts, two dinners, camel rides, and a guide are all included. Lunches are included only if you select that option when booking, otherwise budget €10–13 per meal and bring cash, as local restaurants often don't take cards.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Kelaa via Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou

• Cross Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Visit Aït Benhaddou kasbah
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Drive through Ouarzazate and film studios
• Travel Road of 1,001 Kasbahs
• Check in at Hotel Kelaa Mgouna
• Enjoy traditional Moroccan dinner

Day 2: Kelaa to Merzouga via Todgha Gorges

• Travel to Tinghir and Todgha Gorges
• Free time to explore Todgha Gorges
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Arrive Merzouga desert
• Sunset camel ride on Erg Chebbi dunes
• Reach desert camp before nightfall
• Dinner and Berber drumming at camp

Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Watch Sahara sunrise from dune
• Camel ride back to camp
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Return journey through desert and Atlas
• Lunch stop en route
• Drop-off in Marrakech

The experience

The sun hits the High Atlas at dawn on day one, and you're already climbing. The minibus winds through the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, past Berber villages where the air thins and the valleys open below you like a map someone folded wrong. Your guide points out the snow-dusted peaks in winter, the green terraces in spring: the landscape changes every few kilometers, and you stop when it matters. By mid-morning you're at Aït Benhaddou, the mud-brick kasbah that's been a film set for Game of Thrones and Gladiator, and you walk through it slowly enough to feel the weight of the place. Lunch is at a local restaurant in town, then the drive continues through Ouarzazate and along the Road of 1,001 Kasbahs (the name is not an exaggeration) until you reach Kelaa Mgouna and check into your hotel. That night you eat a traditional Moroccan dinner included with the tour, and you sleep in a private room with an ensuite bathroom.

Day two is when the desert actually starts. You leave early and drive to Tinghir, where you walk through the palm oasis and into the Todra Gorge: the walls rise up on both sides and the light changes color as you move deeper in. There's free time to explore, so you can move at your own pace. Lunch is at another local restaurant before the final push to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. The camel ride happens at sunset, about 45 minutes across the sand, and you have time for photos and sandboarding before the light goes. The desert camp appears as the sky darkens, a cluster of tents with lanterns, and dinner is served under the stars with live Berber drumming around the campfire. You sleep in either a standard tent with a shared bathroom or a luxury tent with a private ensuite, depending on which option you chose when you booked.

The last morning you climb a dune to watch the Sahara sunrise, then ride your camel back to camp for breakfast. The return journey retraces the route through desert plains and lush valleys, crossing back over the Atlas Mountains with a lunch stop somewhere along the way. You're dropped off at your original pickup point in Marrakech around 8 PM on day three. The whole trip is limited to 17 travelers, which means the minibus doesn't feel crowded and the guide can actually talk to people instead of shouting over an engine. Pickup is at 7 AM on day one: the exact time and location come via the booking app and WhatsApp the day before you leave.

What’s included

• Your three days include hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech, air-conditioned minibus transport with onboard Wi-Fi, a dedicated guide, two hotel nights (one in Kelaa Mgouna with private bathroom, one in a desert tent in Merzouga), two breakfasts, two traditional Moroccan dinners, two camel rides (sunset and sunrise), sandboarding, live Berber drumming at the desert camp, luggage handling, and entry to Aït Benhaddou and the Todra Gorge. Lunches are included only if you select that option.
• otherwise they're at your own expense (bring cash). Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options are available.

Options for this experience

4 options

Standard Desert CampGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00A standard private tent with shared bathroom facilities and other included extras, well suited to budget-minded travelers. Includes pickup.

New Year's Eve 2027Guide in English, Spanish or French · Available from 30 DecStandard package with a festive night: includes Standard Desert Camp extras plus a festive dinner, Tamtam music, party accessories, midnight fireworks and a celebration cake. Includes pickup.

Standard Camp with 3 LunchesGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Covers everything in the Standard Desert Camp package, along with 3 traditional Moroccan lunches (on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3). Pickup is included.

Luxury Desert CampGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Set in a more secluded, desert landscape, this camp offers added comfort, generous meals, and a private bathroom. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Please wait at the main entrance of Hôtel Tazi. Your driver will meet you there. The exact pickup time, driver contact, and vehicle details will be shared with you the day before your tour.”

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

Paid on siteUS$ 17.18

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ando Travel SARL

Is this one for you?This tour works well if you want to see Morocco's major landscapes (mountains, kasbahs, gorges, and desert) in one trip without arranging transport, guides, or camp logistics yourself. The fixed three-day schedule and small group size mean you move at a steady pace and actually talk to your guide instead of being herded through a crowd.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the camel ride?

Each camel ride lasts approximately 45 minutes: one at sunset on day two and one at sunrise on day three before breakfast.

What if I don't want to ride a camel?

You can walk alongside the caravan instead. The tour operator offers the option at no extra cost.

Are meals included?

Breakfasts and dinners are included. Lunches are included only if you select that option when booking. Otherwise you pay separately (typically €10–13 per person) and should bring cash in EUR or MAD.

What's the accommodation like?

Night one is in a hotel room with a private bathroom and air conditioning in Kelaa Mgouna. Night two is in a desert tent in Merzouga: either a standard tent with shared bathroom or a luxury tent with a private ensuite, based on your choice.

What should I pack?

Bring a small overnight bag for the desert. Your main luggage stays in the vehicle. Pack layers because desert temperatures swing: hot in summer (June–August), cold at night in winter (November–February). Long trousers are recommended for camel riding comfort.

What time does the tour start and end?

Departure is 7 AM on day one from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Return is around 8 PM on day three. Be ready 5–10 minutes before pickup.

How many people are on the tour?

Groups are limited to 17 travelers maximum, which keeps the minibus comfortable and the experience more personal.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes, the air-conditioned minibus has onboard Wi-Fi during transport.

Are there other activities in Merzouga besides camel riding?

Optional activities available at extra cost include quad biking, 4×4 desert excursions, horse riding, buggy rides, and additional sandboarding.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available.