Merzouga Desert Tour: Camel Rides & Sahara Camp

Cross the High Atlas and ride camels into Erg Chebbi's dunes at sunset.

A 3-day shared tour from Marrakech to Merzouga in the Sahara Desert, with camel rides at sunset and sunrise, overnight stays in a hotel and a traditional nomadic camp, and a guide leading the whole route. The tour crosses the High Atlas Mountains, stops at the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, passes through the Dades Valley and its rose-water factories, and ends with a sunrise ride back to the main road before the return drive to Marrakech. Solo travelers join the shared group. Pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Atlas Mountains

• Depart Marrakech in the morning
• Cross High Atlas Mountains
• Stop for photos and coffee
• Admire views at Tizi N’Tichka
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Have lunch at local café
• Continue to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate and Skoura
• Overnight stay in Dades Valley

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert

• Enjoy traditional breakfast
• Travel to Tinghir oasis and Berber villages
• Explore Todra Valley palm trees and rock walls
• Arrive at Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga
• Take camel ride at sunset
• Stay overnight in nomadic tent camp
• Optional drum playing with camel guide

Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Watch sunrise in desert dunes
• Have breakfast at camp
• Camel ride to main road
• Drive to Ouarzazate
• Leisure time and lunch in Ouarzazate
• Return to Marrakech through High Atlas Mountains
• End tour in Marrakech around 7 pm

The experience

The journey starts in Marrakech in the morning and climbs into the High Atlas Mountains, passing through Kasbahs and Berber villages with stops for photos and coffee at Tizi N'Tichka. The first major stop is Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important ksar in Morocco, recognizable from films like Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. After lunch at a local café, the route continues through Ouarzazate, the Skoura oasis, and Klaa Mgouna: the rose valley capital, where traditional rose-water distillation factories line the road. The first night is spent in a private room with a private bathroom at a hotel in the Dades Valley.

Day two heads out along the Road of the 1001 Kasbahs toward Tinghir and its 15-kilometer valley of date palms, surrounded by grey and pink rock walls. The afternoon brings arrival at Erg Chebbi and the moment the tour centers on: a camel ride into the dunes at sunset, heading toward the camp in the oasis. The night is spent in a traditional nomadic tent with shared bathrooms, and if you want, the camel guide can teach you to play drums under the stars.

On the final morning, a sunrise camel ride takes you back to the main road, where your driver meets you for the return journey. After breakfast and a second camel ride, you'll have leisure time and lunch in Ouarzazate, then drive back through the High Atlas to Marrakech, arriving around 7:00 pm. An air-conditioned minibus carries the group throughout. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, French or Arabic depending on the group.

What’s included

• Camel rides at sunset and sunrise.
• air-conditioned minibus transport from Marrakech with pickup from your hotel or riad.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, French or Arabic.
• the first night in a private hotel room with private bathroom in the Dades Valley.
• the second night in a traditional nomadic tent with shared bathrooms at the Merzouga camp.
• return transport to Marrakech arriving around 7:00 pm.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared three-day trip to the Merzouga desertGuide in 4 languages · 07:00Pickup is included

Superior CampGuide in 4 languages · 07:00Private tents with an attached bathroom; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Saharies

Is this one for you?Choose the shared group format to travel with other adventurers and split costs, or book the private option if you want a dedicated guide for the full three days through the High Atlas and Sahara.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

What's included in the 3-day Merzouga tour price?

The tour includes both camel rides (sunset and sunrise), accommodation in a private hotel room the first night and a traditional camp tent the second night, all transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide, and pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad. Lunches, drinks and gratuities are separate.

Where do you sleep on the second night in Merzouga?

The second night is spent in a traditional nomadic tent at the camp in the Merzouga oasis, with shared bathroom facilities. The tent is secured and the camp is considered good quality for the desert setting.

What is Ait Ben Haddou and why is it a stop on day one?

Ait Ben Haddou is Morocco's best-known ksar (fortified village) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the High Atlas region between Marrakech and the Dades Valley. It has appeared in major films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones, and is the tour's most important first-day stop for its historical and architectural significance.

Can solo travelers join this tour?

Yes, solo travelers are welcome to join the shared 3-day group. The tour is designed for small groups of like-minded travelers exploring the desert together.

What should I pack for camel riding and the desert?

Long pants are essential for camel riding to prevent chafing. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a scarf or bandana for protection against desert sand and cool evenings.

Is the tour accessible for travelers with mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. However, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers, and participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for camel riding and desert activities.