Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour: Sahara Dunes & Culture

Three days crossing mountains and gorges to ride camels into the Sahara at sunset

A 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga combines the High Atlas Mountains, the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou, Todra Gorges and two nights in the Erg-Chebbi desert. You ride camels across the dunes to a Berber camp, sleep under the stars, and return after watching sunrise over the sand. The route pairs mountain villages and desert nomadic life in a single journey.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley

• Pick up from Marrakech
• Drive across High Atlas Mountains
• Stop at Tizi N Tichka pass
• Optional visit to Argan oil cooperative
• Visit Ait ben Haddou Kasbah
• Lunch break (not included)
• Visit Atlas studio and Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate
• Drive to Dades valley
• Overnight at traditional guesthouse in Dades gorges

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert

• Drive along Dades valley
• Stop at Todra valley old Kasbah
• Explore Todra grand canyon
• Visit Berber women's cooperative
• Camel ride to Erg-Chebbi desert camp
• Dinner and local music at desert camp
• Overnight in desert camp under stars

Day 3: Merzouga Desert to Marrakech

• Watch sunrise over Erg-Chebbi dunes
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Camel ride back to Merzouga village
• Meet driver and return to Marrakech

The experience

The tour leaves Marrakech and climbs into the High Atlas, stopping at viewpoints across the Tizi N Tichka pass before reaching the Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou. The kasbah takes around 40 minutes to explore, climbing to the top for a panoramic view of the earthen fortress where Game of Thrones, Babel and Gladiator were filmed. From there you continue to Ouarzazate to see the Atlas studio and Kasbah Taourirt, then drive into Dades valley for your first night at a traditional guesthouse with dinner and breakfast included.

Day two follows the Dades valley to Todra Gorges, where you have free time to walk through the grand canyon before heading to a women's cooperative in a small Berber town. There you can buy scarves and traditional clothes for the desert ahead. In late afternoon you mount camels and ride across the soft dunes of Erg-Chebbi to the desert camp. After dinner, local drums play around the campfire and you sleep under the stars: the highlight most travelers mention when they describe this tour.

The final morning starts early to watch sunrise over the dunes from the camp. After breakfast you ride camels back to Merzouga village, meet your driver and return to Marrakech. The tour runs with a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language, and pickup from your Marrakech hotel is included. You choose between a private tour, a private luxury option or a group departure at checkout.

What’s included

• Camel riding across the Erg-Chebbi dunes on day two and day three.
• private room or tent for two nights with dinner and breakfast.
• sandboarding in the desert.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
• live guide in your choice of language.
• hotel pickup in Marrakech.

Options for this experience

3 options

Group TourGuide in 5 languages · 07:30Accommodation for 2 nights. You will travel with a group of people on shared transportation. Pickup is included.

Private TourGuide in 5 languages · 07:30Private accommodation for two nights, with private transportation. Pickup is included.

Private Luxury TourGuide in 5 languages · 07:30Luxury accommodation: the first night at Ksar Sultan or a similar property, and the second night at a luxury desert camp with private tents that have ensuite bathrooms. A one-hour quad biking session in the Merzouga dunes. 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 07:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 65 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Mouhou Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the flexibility to set your own pace at each stop. The private luxury option adds comfort for travelers who prefer upgraded accommodations. The group tour keeps costs lower if you're comfortable sharing the vehicle and guide with other travelers. All three options follow the same 3-day route and include the same camel rides and desert camp night.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou and why do people visit it on this tour?

The Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: an ancient earthen fortress in the Atlas foothills where major films including Game of Thrones, Babel and Gladiator were shot. The tour stops there for about 40 minutes so you can climb to the top and see the panoramic view of the kasbah and the valley below.

What happens during the night in the Merzouga desert camp?

You sleep in a private tent or room at the camp under the stars. After dinner, local musicians play traditional Berber drums around the campfire before you settle in for the night. The following morning you wake early to watch the sunrise over the Erg-Chebbi dunes before riding camels back to the village.

How much time do I spend riding camels on this tour?

You ride camels twice: once in the late afternoon on day two, crossing the dunes from Merzouga to the desert camp; and again on the morning of day three, riding back to Merzouga village after breakfast. Both rides cross the soft golden dunes of Erg-Chebbi.

What is Todra Gorges and what do I do there?

Todra Gorges is a grand canyon carved by the Todra River in the Atlas region. The tour stops there on day two and gives you free time to walk and explore the area, taking in the panoramic views of the old kasbah in the Todra valley before continuing toward Merzouga.

Does the tour include meals?

Dinner and breakfast are included on both nights at the guesthouse in Dades valley and at the desert camp. Lunches, drinks and gratuities are not included, so you can choose where and what to eat during the day stops.

What should I bring for the camel rides and desert night?

The tour stops at a women's cooperative where you can buy a scarf and traditional Berber clothes to cover yourself from the wind and sun during the camel rides. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a light jacket for the desert night, which can be cool despite the daytime heat.