Marrakech to Merzouga: Camel Ride, Ait Ben Haddou & Desert Camp

Summary

High Atlas passes, Berber villages, desert sunsets and nomad tents

You’ll cross the High Atlas Mountains from Marrakech to Merzouga with a local guide, wander ancient kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou, ride camels into Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, and share dinner under Saharan stars in a Berber camp. Expect laughter, real conversations, and moments that linger long after you return home.

What’s the experience like?

“So, this is the Tizi n’Tichka pass,” our driver grinned as we zigzagged up through the High Atlas. I’d read about it but honestly, nothing prepares you for that first glimpse — the road just coils up into the clouds. We stopped at a tiny roadside stall where a woman was selling mint tea (the real stuff, not the touristy kind). The air smelled like dust and wild thyme. I tried to ask her about her village in my broken French; she just smiled and poured another glass. There’s something about those mountain mornings — cold but bright, with sheep bells echoing somewhere down below.

Ait Ben Haddou looked almost fake at first, like a movie set (which apparently it is — our guide pointed out where Gladiator was filmed). The mudbrick walls are rough under your hands, sun-warmed and crumbly. Lunch was tagine in a little place overlooking the kasbah — not fancy but somehow perfect after hours on the road. By the time we reached Dades Gorge it was late afternoon; pink light bouncing off those crazy rock formations. I remember thinking my phone photos would never do it justice, so I just sat there for a bit instead.

The next day, Todra Gorges felt cooler and quieter than I expected — water trickling somewhere out of sight, locals waving from their gardens. But Merzouga is where it all sort of hits you: sand everywhere, camels waiting like they’ve been there forever. My camel was called Bob Marley (not joking), and he seemed unimpressed by my attempts at conversation. The sunset ride across Erg Chebbi dunes is hard to describe without sounding cheesy — colors shifting every few minutes, wind picking up little curls of sand around your feet. Dinner at camp was loud with drums and laughter; I tried to join in but mostly just clapped along awkwardly.

I barely slept that night under the nomad tent — partly nerves, partly stars so bright they made me feel small in a good way. In the morning some people got up early for sunrise; I meant to but ended up just watching from my blanket instead. The drive back to Marrakech felt quieter somehow. Maybe everyone else was tired too or maybe we were all just thinking about that last night in the desert… still can’t decide if I dreamed half of it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades via Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

• Depart Marrakech at 8 AM
• Cross Tizi-n-Tichka pass
• Stop at Berber villages
• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Lunch (own expense)
• Drive to Dades via Valley of the Roses
• Check in hotel in Dades Valley
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 2 — Dades to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Todgha Gorges
• Lunch (own expense)
• Drive to Merzouga via Erfoud and Tinejdad
• 1-hour camel ride in dunes
• Watch sunset in desert
• Dinner with Berber rhythms
• Overnight in nomad tent

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains

• Optional sunrise stroll in dunes
• Camel ride back to main road
• Meet driver and vehicle
• Drive to Marrakech
• Lunch at leisure (own expense)
• Cross High Atlas Mountains
• End tour in Marrakech

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Marrakech to Merzouga?

The journey from Marrakech to Merzouga takes about 9-10 hours by road with stops along the way over three days.

Is camel riding included on this tour?

Yes, a traditional camel ride across Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset is included in the tour.

Do we visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou?

Yes, there’s a guided visit to UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou on day one.

Are meals included during the trip?

Dinner is included at Dades Valley hotel and at the desert camp; lunches are not included.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay one night in a hotel in Dades Valley and one night in a nomad tent in Merzouga desert camp.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels inside Marrakech only.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

This experience is not recommended for children under 6 years old.

What happens if there’s bad weather?

If poor weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

What’s included

Your three-day adventure includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Marrakech city limits, guided visits through places like Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorges, an overnight stay in both Dades Valley hotel and a nomad tent in Merzouga desert camp (with dinner each night), plus that unforgettable sunset camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes before heading back toward Marrakech.