Marrakech to Merzouga: 3-Day Desert Tour, Camel Trek & Erg Chebbi Camp

Summary

Atlas peaks, kasbahs at dusk and camel shadows in Erg Chebbi

You’ll cross the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech to Merzouga on this 3-day desert tour with camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes, sleep under Saharan stars at a nomad camp, wander ancient kasbahs like Aït Benhaddou, and share meals with new friends. Expect silence, color shifts you can’t photograph, and stories you’ll remember long after you shake out your shoes.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment when the van climbs through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass — you hear nothing but the crunch of gravel under tires and a shepherd’s call echoing somewhere below. I kept staring out at the High Atlas Mountains, half-awake from an early start in Marrakech. Our driver, Hassan, pointed out Berber villages tucked into hillsides like they’d always been there. The air smelled faintly of dust and mint tea from someone’s roadside stall. We stopped at Aït Benhaddou and I tried to imagine all the stories those mud walls have seen; honestly, it was hard not to get lost just watching old men chat in the shade.

The road to Dades felt endless but kind of hypnotic — palm trees popping up out of nowhere at Skoura, then those weirdly green patches against so much rock. Lunch was simple: bread that crumbled in my hands and some kind of spicy sauce (I never caught the name). By nightfall we reached our kasbah hotel, where dinner tasted better than it looked (lamb tagine, if you’re wondering), and I slept like a stone despite thinking I’d be too wired to rest.

The second day is when Morocco started feeling real for me. Tinghir’s oasis was cool and quiet except for kids splashing each other near the Todra Gorge. At Rissani, our guide told us about its history — something about royal families and old trade routes — but honestly I was distracted by all the dates piled up at market stalls. Finally reaching Merzouga felt surreal; camels waiting in a line, their shadows stretching long across sand that looked gold one minute and pinkish-orange the next. The camel trek into Erg Chebbi was bumpy (my legs were jelly after) but worth every ache for that first sunset in the dunes.

I still think about sitting around that fire with local nomads drumming quietly under more stars than I’ve ever seen — it got cold fast after dark so we huddled close, passing bread around. The desert camp is basic (toilets are outside), but waking up before sunrise just to watch pale light creep over sand made me forget any discomfort. We rode back on camels with numb fingers and sand everywhere (seriously, everywhere), then piled into the van for Ouarzazate and finally Marrakech again. It all blurs together now except for little flashes: laughter over spilled tea, wind tugging at my scarf in the dunes… moments you can’t really plan for.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades via Kasbah

• Pickup from Marrakech accommodation
• Drive through High Atlas Mountains
• Pass rural Berber villages
• Visit Aït Benhaddou kasbah
• Lunch at local restaurant (own expense)
• Visit Skoura oasis
• Drive along Dadès River and gorges
• Arrive in Dades for dinner and stay

Day 2 — Dades to Merzouga and Desert Camp

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive along Road of 1000 Kasbahs to Tinghir
• Walk through Tinghir oasis
• Visit Todra Gorge
• Lunch at local cafe (own expense)
• Visit Rissani town
• Drive to Merzouga village
• Meet camel caravan
• Camel trek to Erg Chebbi desert camp
• Dinner with local nomad music
• Overnight at Sahara desert camp

Day 3 — Erg Chebbi to Marrakech Return

• Optional sunrise walk on dunes
• Breakfast at camp
• Camel ride back to Merzouga
• Meet driver for return journey
• Lunch in Ouarzazate (own expense)
• Drive through High Atlas Mountains
• Arrive back in Marrakech accommodation

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Marrakech to Merzouga on this tour?

The journey from Marrakech to Merzouga is spread over two days by minivan with stops along the way; expect several hours driving each day.

Is camel trekking included in this 3-day desert tour?

Yes, camel trekking in Erg Chebbi is included as part of your experience in Merzouga.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Dinner and breakfast are included each night; lunches are at your own expense along the route.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You stay one night at a kasbah-style hotel in Dades (with private bathroom) and one night at a desert camp near Erg Chebbi (shared facilities).

Is hotel pickup available in Marrakech?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations within Marrakech city limits.

How many people are usually on this group tour?

The group size is limited to 17 travelers per departure.

Are showers available at the desert camp?

Showers are available at a nearby lodge rather than inside your tent; toilets are outside at camp.

What should I pack for this Morocco desert trip?

Bring good walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, warm clothes for nights, and enough space for luggage in the van’s trunk.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Marrakech by air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking driver who knows every twist of these roads; overnight stays with dinner and breakfast both at a kasbah hotel near Dades Gorge (private bathrooms) and a Sahara desert camp near Erg Chebbi (shared facilities); plus your camel trek into golden dunes — just don’t forget layers for chilly nights or your sense of humor when eating sand for breakfast on day three.