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

Summary

Three days from Marrakech to the dunes with Berber campfire music and camel rides

You’ll cross mountain passes from Marrakech to Merzouga, wander ancient kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou, ride camels across Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under Berber tents with music around a fire. Wake early for sunrise on golden sands before heading back—this trip lingers long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I almost missed our pickup in Marrakech because I couldn’t find my other sock. The city was just waking up, the air still cool and a bit dusty, when our driver knocked on the riad door. We squeezed into the minibus with a handful of other sleepy travelers and headed straight for the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The road wound up through the High Atlas mountains, sharp turns and all, with Berber villages clinging to slopes that looked impossible. Our guide Youssef kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed — a shepherd waving from below, kids running after chickens. At one point we stopped for mint tea; I burned my tongue but didn’t mind.

Ait Ben Haddou was next — honestly, I’d seen photos but didn’t expect it to feel so ancient up close. The mud-brick walls almost glowed in the midday sun. We wandered through narrow alleys where a woman sold dates from a faded basket and a cat napped on someone’s doorstep. Lunch was tagine (I think I ate too much) before we pushed on through Ouarzazate and Rose Valley. By the time we reached Tinghir for the night, my legs were stiff but I couldn’t stop staring at how the last light hit the palm groves outside our hotel window.

The second day is when it got real: Todra Gorge’s cliffs rising above us, then endless desert roads dotted with tiny Berber villages. Somewhere past Erfoud, sand started sneaking into everything — shoes, bags, hair. In Merzouga we ditched most of our luggage at a small hotel (good tip: only bring what you need for one night) and met our camels as the sun began to dip. Riding over Erg Chebbi’s dunes felt both awkward and magical — my camel grunted every few steps like he had opinions about tourists. Sunset was pure silence except for wind brushing over sand; later there was drumming by firelight at camp, and stars so sharp it made me dizzy looking up.

We woke stupid-early for sunrise (worth it), rode back with sand still in our socks, showered off at camp, then piled into the minibus again for the long haul back to Marrakech. The route felt different going home — maybe because everyone was quieter now or maybe because my head was still somewhere out there in those dunes. It’s strange how three days can stretch out like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Tinghir via Ait Ben Haddou

• Pick up from accommodation at 7:00 AM
• Drive across Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass
• Visit High Atlas Berber villages
• Visit UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou
• Have lunch at Ait Ben Haddou
• Stop at supermarket in Ouarzazate
• Continue to Tinghir via Rose Valley
• Overnight in hotel with dinner

Day 2 — Tinghir to Merzouga Desert Camp

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Erg Chebbi desert in Merzouga
• Pass Todra Gorges, oasis, Tinjdad, Jorf, Erfoud
• Check in hotel in Merzouga
• Pack small bag for desert night
• Ride camels into Erg Chebbi dunes
• Walk to highest dunes for sandboarding
• Watch sunset over dunes
• Overnight in Berber desert camp with music

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech via High Atlas

• Wake early to watch sunrise in dunes
• Ride camels back to Merzouga
• Breakfast and shower at camp
• Drive back to Marrakech via Berber villages
• Pass Ouarzazate on return route
• Drop off at hotel or riad around 7:30 PM

Top questions

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

The drive is split over two days with stops; total distance is about 560 km each way with overnight stays in Tinghir and Merzouga.

Is camel riding included on this tour?

Yes, sunset and sunrise camel rides are included in Merzouga—one camel per person.

Do you visit Ait Ben Haddou on this tour?

Yes, there’s a stop at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou on the first day for exploration and lunch.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

The first night is in a hotel in Tinghir; second night is in a desert camp in Merzouga under Berber tents.

Are meals included during the tour?

Dinner and breakfast are included at both accommodations—hotel in Tinghir and desert camp in Merzouga.

Is hotel pickup available from Marrakech?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation or nearest accessible point in Marrakech is included.

Can you bring large luggage on this trip?

You can bring your main luggage but will need to pack an overnight bag for the desert camp; main bags stay at hotel in Merzouga.

Are infant seats available during transport?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup from your riad or hotel in Marrakech by air-conditioned minibus (fuel covered), all transport between stops including through Atlas mountain passes, one night at Hotel Saghro (or similar) in Tinghir with dinner and breakfast, one night camping under Berber tents in Merzouga with dinner and breakfast plus drums music around the fire, guided camel rides at sunset and sunrise (one camel each), sandboarding fun on Erg Chebbi dunes—and plenty of mint tea along the way before drop-off back in Marrakech late evening.