Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: 3-Day Luxury Camp & Camel Ride

Summary

Cross Atlas peaks, explore kasbahs, sleep in desert luxury tents

You’ll share mint tea with Berbers, cross mountain passes above Marrakech, sleep under desert stars in a luxury tent with your own shower, and ride camels across Merzouga’s dunes. Expect laughter around music fires and sunrises you won’t forget — this trip is more about moments than miles covered.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Marrakech when our driver, Youssef, pulled over by a roadside stall — he wanted us to try fresh argan oil. The woman behind the counter let me grind the nuts myself (I was terrible at it), and she grinned as I tasted the oil on warm bread. It was early but already the air smelled dusty-sweet. Youssef kept pointing out Berber villages tucked into the hills as we climbed through the Atlas Mountains. Somewhere after Ait Ben Haddou — which looks even more ancient in person than in movies — I lost track of time just watching the colors change outside the window.

The first night at Dades Gorge hotel felt like a reward: soft beds, pool water that was almost too cold for my toes, dinner with slow-cooked lamb and something spiced I still can’t name. In the morning we wandered out to see the gorge itself; local kids waved from above while we tried not to slip on loose stones. By midday we were winding through Todra Gorge and then on toward Merzouga — you could feel the landscape flattening out, turning gold and then just sand everywhere.

I didn’t expect how quiet it would be once we got to the edge of the Sahara. Our bags went ahead in a jeep while we climbed onto camels (mine was named Bob Marley — no idea why). The camel ride was bumpy but kind of soothing after all those hours driving. At camp they handed us mint tea before showing us to our tents — real beds, private showers inside (which felt weirdly fancy for being in the middle of nowhere). Later there was sandboarding (I fell off immediately), and dinner under a sky so full of stars it almost looked fake. Some musicians from further south played drums by the fire; I tried clapping along but got lost in their rhythm.

Waking up before sunrise for that last morning felt impossible but worth it — pink light spilling over dunes while everyone shuffled around quietly, half-awake. On the drive back to Marrakech I kept thinking about how much laughter there’d been at camp, even between people who barely shared a language. Still not sure if I’ll ever get all that sand out of my shoes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Gorge Dades via Atlas Mountains

• Leave Marrakech at 7:30am
• Cross Tizi N’Tichka pass
• Stop for panoramic photos
• Visit Argan oil producers
• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Lunch in Ait Ben Haddou
• Drive to Ouarzazate
• Pass Valley of Roses and Skoura Palm Grove
• Arrive Gorge Dades hotel
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 2 — Gorge Dades to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast at Gorge Dades hotel
• Drive to Todra Gorges
• Continue to Erfoud and Rissani
• Arrive Merzouga dunes
• Welcome tea at desert camp
• Leave bags at alberg
• Camel caravan to luxury camp
• Stop to watch desert sunset
• Dinner with traditional music
• Overnight in luxury desert camp

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Early sunrise viewing in desert
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Depart Merzouga for Marrakech
• Cross arid desert landscapes
• Lunch at El Kalaa M’gouna
• Drive through Anti Atlas to Ouarzazate
• Arrive Marrakech around 7:30pm

Top questions

How long does it take from Marrakech to Merzouga?

The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga takes about 9-10 hours with stops spread over two days.

Is there a private bathroom in the desert camp tent?

Yes, each luxury tent has its own private toilet and shower inside.

Are meals included during the tour?

Dinner and breakfast are included at both Dades Gorge hotel and in the desert camp.

Can I choose between camel ride or jeep for reaching camp?

Yes, you can choose either a camel ride or 4x4 jeep transfer to reach the desert camp.

What activities are available at Merzouga camp?

You can try sandboarding, enjoy traditional Berber music performances, and stargaze at night.

Is pickup from my Marrakech hotel included?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech is included at around 7:30am on day one.

Will my luggage be transported to camp?

Your main luggage will be transferred separately so it’s waiting for you at camp when you arrive.

How many nights do we spend in the desert?

You’ll spend one night at Dades Gorge hotel and one night in Merzouga desert luxury camp.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup from your Marrakech hotel early morning, an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at Dades Gorge hotel (with pool), all transfers between sites including through Atlas Mountains and famous kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou, camel or 4x4 ride into Merzouga desert where your luggage awaits you at a luxury tented camp featuring private toilet and shower inside each tent; plus traditional dinners with live Berber music around a fire and sandboarding before returning to Marrakech by evening on day three.