Marrakech to Sahara: 4-Day Desert Tour with Camel Trek & Kasbahs

Summary

Cross Atlas passes, wander Ait Ben Haddou, ride camels at sunset

You’ll cross Morocco from Marrakech through shifting mountain passes and ancient kasbahs before riding camels deep into Erg Chebbi’s dunes for a night under Saharan stars. Expect mint tea greetings, local guides sharing stories at Ait Ben Haddou, meals in rose country towns, and sunrise moments you’ll remember long after returning home.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s pouring mint tea before I’ve even set my bag down in the van—our driver, Youssef, grins and says it’s “for luck crossing the mountains.” We leave Marrakech early, winding through the Atlas as the sun starts warming up those red slopes. The road climbs and suddenly there’s snow on the peaks, but it smells like dust and diesel inside. I keep losing count of how many times we stop for photos or just to stretch our legs; honestly, I’m grateful for every break. When we reach Ait Ben Haddou, our local guide tells us stories about movie crews and Berber families—he points out a spot where Gladiator was filmed, but I’m more interested in how his friend’s cousin still lives behind one of those thick mud walls.

Lunch is tagine somewhere in Ouarzazate (I can’t remember the name—my napkin blew away before I could check), then we drive through fields that smell faintly of roses. Kelaat M’gouna is supposed to be famous for rose water; I try some at a roadside stand and it tastes like perfume, not sure if that’s good or bad. By evening we’re in Dades Valley—my room has these heavy wool blankets that scratch a little, but after dinner I barely notice. The next morning is all palm groves and canyon walls so high you have to lean back to see sky. Tinghir’s oasis feels cool underfoot, even though it’s late spring.

The real reason I booked this Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour? The camel trek into Erg Chebbi. Our guide hands me a scarf (“for sand,” he says) and ties it around my head with a practiced flick. Camels grunt when you climb up—awkward at first—and then you’re just swaying along while the dunes turn gold. At camp there’s sweet tea again (always tea), music around the fire, and stars so sharp they almost hurt your eyes. Someone tries drumming; someone else laughs too loud. My tent smells like canvas and dust but sleeping out here feels different—like you’re part of something old.

Sunrise sneaks up on us while we’re still half-asleep on camelback heading back toward Merzouga. Breakfast is simple but hot—flatbread and strong coffee—and then there’s more driving: palm groves again, another tagine somewhere near Dades Gorge (I spill half of mine because the table wobbles). The last day blurs into mountain switchbacks and small towns flashing by outside the window. Youssef keeps pointing out things I’d miss otherwise—a shepherd waving from far off, kids selling dates by the roadside. It’s a lot of hours on the road but somehow doesn’t feel wasted; maybe it’s just that desert silence sticking with me longer than expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Tinghir via Atlas Mountains

• Pick up from accommodation
• Cross Tizi-n-Tichka Pass
• Stop for photos and coffee
• Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
• Lunch at local cafe
• Drive through Ouarzazate and Rose Valley
• Arrive at Dades or Tinghir for dinner
• Overnight at hotel or Kasbah

Day 2 — Tinghir to Merzouga Sahara Desert

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Visit Todra Gorges with local guide
• Drive through Tinjdad and Erfoud
• Arrive at Merzouga dunes
• Pack overnight bag for camel trek
• Camel trek to Berber desert camp
• Watch sunset on dunes
• Dinner and overnight in desert camp

Day 3 — Merzouga sunrise and return to Dades

• Watch sunrise over Sahara
• Shower and breakfast at camp (if available)
• Camel trek back from desert camp
• Drive through palm groves to Tinghir
• Lunch in Kelaat M'gouna
• Visit Dades Gorges
• Overnight at hotel or Kasbah in Dades

Day 4 — Dades to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains

• Depart hotel at 07:30
• Drive through Atlas Mountains
• Cross Tizi N’ Tichka Pass
• Stop for photos and scenery
• Lunch at leisure
• Arrive in Marrakech by afternoon

Top questions

How long is the Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour?

The tour lasts 4 days and 3 nights from Marrakech to Merzouga and back.

Is hotel pickup included for this Sahara tour?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation or nearby accessible location in Marrakech is included.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Dinner and breakfast are included each day at your accommodations; lunch is at local cafes along the route.

Do I ride my own camel during the trek?

Yes, each traveler gets their own camel for both sunset and sunrise rides in Erg Chebbi.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in hotels or kasbahs along the way and spend one night in a private tent at a desert camp.

Is this trip suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants can join using prams or strollers; specialized infant seats are available upon request.

Can people with limited mobility join this tour?

The tour may not be suitable for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to long drives and uneven terrain.

Are local guides included at sites like Ait Ben Haddou?

A local guide leads you through Ait Ben Haddou for an additional fee (about 2€ per person).

What’s included

Your days include hotel pickup in Marrakech, transport by air-conditioned vehicle across Atlas passes with plenty of photo stops, English or French-speaking driver throughout, guided walks at sites like Ait Ben Haddou (guide fee extra), all dinners and breakfasts at hotels or riads plus one night in a private tented camp with music under Saharan stars—and both sunset and sunrise camel rides across Erg Chebbi before returning by road via Dades Valley to Marrakech.