3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour: Camel Trek & Camp

Ride a camel into the Sahara and sleep under the stars in a nomad tent.

A 3-day guided tour from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert with camel trekking, desert camp overnight, and stops at the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou and Toudra Gorges. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English, Spanish, French or Arabic, and hotel pickup in Marrakech. You choose between a standard camp tent, premium desert tour, or deluxe camp tent option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Tinghir via Atlas Mountains

• Meet driver in Marrakech
• Drive through Tizi-n'Tichka pass
• Stop for photos at Atlas Mountains
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
• Photograph Atlas Studios
• Short break at Roses Valley
• Panoramic stops in Dades Valley
• Overnight in Tinghir hotel

Day 2: Tinghir to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast in Tinghir
• Visit Todgha Gorges and grove
• Drive through Tinejdad to Erfoud
• Camel ride in Merzouga dunes
• Dinner and overnight in desert camp

Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech via Roses Valley

• Early breakfast in desert camp
• Drive to Roses Valley for lunch
• Pass Ouarzazate
• Pass Tizi-n'Tichka Atlas pass
• Return to Marrakech accommodation

The experience

The tour departs from Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech at 8am and heads south across the High Atlas, stopping at the Tizi-n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters for photographs before descending to the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. This UNESCO-listed Berber-fortified village served as a filming location for Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. You cross the river and explore the village at your own pace. The first day ends in Tinghir with an overnight stay at a hotel in the Dades Valley.

Day two takes you through the Toudra Gorges and past Berber villages in Tinejdad before reaching Erfoud, known for its fossils. From there, the road opens into the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, where you leave the vehicle and mount a camel for a ride into the sand. You spend the night in a nomad tent in the middle of the dunes, with dinner included and the silence of the desert around you.

The return journey on day three starts early, with breakfast before you rejoin your driver. You pass through the Roses Valley near Kelaat Mgouna for a lunch stop, then retrace the route back through Ouarzazate and over the Tichka Pass, arriving in Marrakech by evening. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle throughout, sandboarding in the dunes, and a guide who speaks your language. Meals are provided except for lunch and beverages on the road.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for all three days.
• live guide in English, Spanish, French or Arabic.
• hotel pickup in Marrakech.
• camel trekking in the Merzouga dunes.
• sandboarding.
• overnight accommodation in a hotel in Tinghir and a nomad tent in the desert.
• dinner on the second night.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard Camp TentGuide in 4 languages · 07:30Private room and standard camp: first night at a hotel in Tinghir, second night in a standard camp tent with a shared bathroom. Camel trekking and sandboarding; ATV quads and buggies are available to rent in the desert dunes with the locals. Basic option. Duration: 3 days, with 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, through the Dades Valley and Toudra Valley. Comfortable minivan with enough space for your luggage. Pickup is included.

Deluxe Camp TentGuide in 4 languages · 07:30Private room and deluxe camp: first night at a hotel in Tinghir, second night in a deluxe camp tent with a private bathroom. Camel trekking and sandboarding; ATV quads and buggies can be rented in the desert dunes with the locals. Upgraded option. Duration: 3 days, with 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, through the Dades and Toudra Valleys. Comfortable minivan with enough space for your luggage. Pickup is included.

Premium Desert TourGuide in 4 languages · 07:30Luxury camp and luxury riad: first night at either Chez Pierre, Dades Paradise, or Xaluca Dades; second night at the Merzouga Luxury Camp. Included activities: a 1-hour ATV quad ride, a 1-hour camel ride, and a go at sandboarding. Premium option. Duration: 3 days, with 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts. Marrakech to Merzouga and back. Travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle (choice of 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or minivan). Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Lasts 3d, runs every day at 07:30, from US$ 103 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Audio 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 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Morocco Tour Experience

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you prefer a structured itinerary with transport included rather than piecing together your own desert logistics from Marrakech.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou and why is it worth the stop?

The Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO-listed Berber-fortified village that served as a filming location for major Hollywood films including Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. You cross the river from the main road and explore the village at your own pace during the first day of the tour.

Do I sleep in the desert on this tour?

Yes. On the second night, you sleep in a nomad tent in the Merzouga dunes after a camel ride into the sand. Dinner is included, and you stay in the middle of the desert. The first night is spent in a hotel in Tinghir.

What's included in the 3-day tour?

The tour includes the air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English, Spanish, French or Arabic, hotel pickup in Marrakech, camel trekking in the Merzouga dunes, sandboarding, and overnight accommodation in Tinghir and the desert camp. Lunch and beverages during travel are not included.

What are the differences between the Standard Camp Tent, Premium Desert Tour, and Deluxe Camp Tent options?

You choose your accommodation level at checkout. The Standard Camp Tent, Premium Desert Tour, and Deluxe Camp Tent options offer different comfort levels for your night in the Merzouga desert. The tour itinerary and activities remain the same across all three.

When does the tour start and where do I meet the driver?

The tour departs at 8am from Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech. Hotel pickup is included, so your driver will collect you from your accommodation before heading to the meeting point.

How physically demanding is the camel trekking?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The camel ride in the Merzouga dunes is the main physical activity, and it is designed to be accessible to a wide range of visitors.