Marrakech to Merzouga: 3-Day Desert Tour & Camel Ride

Three days from Marrakech into the Sahara, sleeping under stars in Merzouga

You travel from Marrakech through mountain passes and Berber settlements to the Sahara, riding camels at sunset and sleeping in a traditional desert camp with live music and stargazing. The route includes the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, Todgha Gorge, and Merzouga's dunes, with hotel pickup, all meals, and transport handled for you over three days.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Sahara experience without arranging transport, guides, meals and camp logistics yourself — the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you leave Marrakech and everything else is handled until you return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ait Benhadou

• Sightsee Ait Benhadou Kasbah
• Light trek around Ait Benhadou
• Enjoy Tajine or Moroccan menu
• Overnight in Boumaln or Gorge Dades hotel
• Dinner with fresh Moroccan meal

Day 2 — Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert Camp

• Breakfast at Dades Valley Kasbah
• Visit Tinghir Gorge and nomads
• Lunch at Todgha Gorge
• Arrive Merzouga and camel ride at sunset
• Check in to desert camp tents
• Dinner under starry sky
• Enjoy Berber folklore and music
• Midnight dune climb for stargazing
• Overnight in Merzouga desert camp

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

• Breakfast in Merzouga camp
• Visit Ouarzazate studios
• Lunch at Kasbat Ait Ourir
• Cross Atlas and Tichka Mountains
• Stop for panoramic photos
• Return to Marrakech hotel or square

The Experience

What happens if you leave Marrakech and don't come back the same person? That's the shape of this 3-day desert tour — it starts in the city, crosses the High Atlas Mountains, and ends with you on a camel watching the sun drop behind dunes while a drummer plays nearby. The first day takes you through Berber villages and up to the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, where lunch happens with the kasbah itself as your view. You'll sleep in a hotel that night, either in Boumaln Dades or Gorge Dades depending on what's available.

Day two is the one people remember. After breakfast you head toward Merzouga, stopping at Todgha Gorge for lunch — two massive mountains with a river running between them, and if you look closely, you'll see nomads still living in caves nearby, working as shepherds the way their families have for generations. Then you reach Merzouga and get on a camel for the sunset ride across the sand. After that comes dinner under the stars in a traditional camp, and a Berber musician with drums and a Bob Marley-style sound that somehow fits the desert perfectly. Around midnight, most people climb the dunes to see the stars properly — no light pollution, just the sky doing what it does.

The last morning you wake in the camp, eat breakfast, and start the drive back. You'll pass through Ouarzazate (they call it the Hollywood of Morocco because films shoot there), visit a kasbah for lunch, then cross the Tichka Mountains with stops for photos before the winding roads bring you back to Marrakech. Hotel or riad drop-off happens by evening. Two nights of accommodation are included — one in a hotel, one in a desert camp — plus both camel rides and all meals along the way.

Top questions

How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?

The full journey takes roughly two days of driving (with stops). Day one ends in Dades Valley; day two continues to Merzouga.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, two nights' accommodation (one hotel, one desert camp), two camel rides, all meals, and transport between stops.

Can I do this tour if I've never ridden a camel?

Yes. The camel rides are part of the experience and guides work with all levels. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What's the desert camp like?

It's a traditional Berber camp in the dunes with tents. The class depends on your booking. Dinner, music, and stargazing happen there.

Is this accessible for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, with accessible transportation and surfaces. Discuss specific needs when booking.

What time do we leave Marrakech?

Hotel pickup is included, though the exact pickup time depends on your accommodation location and the operator's schedule.

Do I need to bring anything special?

Sunscreen, a hat, and layers for temperature changes are recommended. The desert is hot by day and cool at night.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use specialized infant seats. The tour suits all ages.

What’s included

Hotel pickup from your Marrakech riad or hotel, transport to and from the desert, entry to the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, lunch at Todgha Gorge, two camel rides (sunset and sunrise), two nights' accommodation (one in a hotel in Dades Valley, one in a traditional desert camp), dinner and breakfast each day, and live Berber music and drumming in the camp.