Merzouga Desert 3-day camel trek and night under stars
You ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset and sleep in the Sahara under open sky.
A 3-day round-trip tour from Marrakech to Merzouga's Sahara Desert, crossing the Atlas Mountains and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, with stops at Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorges, and Berber villages. You spend a night in a traditional nomadic tent after a camel trek across Erg Chebbi's dunes, the largest in Morocco, with optional sandboarding at sunset and a sunrise ride back to the camp.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Kasbahs
- Pick up from Marrakech hotel
- Cross Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
- Lunch overlooking Ait Ben Haddou
- Optional: Visit Atlas Film Studios
- See Kasbah Amridil in Skoura
- Drive Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Arrive in Dades Valley for dinner and overnight
Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert
- Breakfast at riad/hotel
- Drive through Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Visit Todra Gorges and walk canyon
- Drive to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi dunes
- 1.5-hour camel trek into Sahara
- Optional: Sandboarding in dunes
- Arrive at desert camp and welcome tea
- Dinner, Berber music, campfire, stargazing
- Overnight in nomadic tent
Day 3: Merzouga Desert to Marrakech
- Optional: Sunrise camel trek
- Breakfast at desert camp
- Return to Merzouga center by 4WD or camel
- Travel through Draa Valley and N'kob
- Lunch in Ouarzazate
- Drive back to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains
- End tour in Marrakech around 19:00
What’s included
- Private transportation from your Marrakech hotel.
- camel rides at sunset and sunrise (one camel per person, with a 4x4 alternative if preferred).
- air-conditioned vehicle for all driving.
- entry to Merzouga Desert.
- sandboarding in the dunes.
- two nights' accommodation (first night in a riad in Dades Valley, second night in a traditional nomadic tent at the desert camp).
- dinner on all three days.
- breakfast on days two and three.
- Berber music and a campfire at the desert camp.
- all mandatory fees with no hidden costs.
- Every day 07:00 08:00
Information
Three days from Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains to Erg Chebbi's dunes, with a 1.5-hour camel ride at sunset, sandboarding.
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The experience
The tour leaves Marrakech around 8:00 am and climbs through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass into the High Atlas, passing Berber settlements before reaching Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built from adobe and famous as a film location for Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. After lunch overlooking the kasbah, you continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate and Skoura, stopping at Kasbah Amridil, then into the Valley of Roses and Kalaat M'gouna. You arrive in Dades Valley by evening for dinner and your first night in a riad.
Day two takes you through Dades Canyon past ancient fortresses and Berber villages, then into Todra Valley where you walk through the Todra Gorges: a narrow canyon carved between towering pink and grey cliffs. By afternoon you reach Merzouga and Erg Chebbi's dunes. A 1.5-hour camel ride carries you into the desert to watch the sunset, with the option to try sandboarding before arriving at the camp. Mint tea, a Berber dinner, live music, a campfire, and stargazing fill the evening before you sleep in a traditional nomadic tent.
On the final morning you can join an optional sunrise camel trek across the dunes, then return to the camp for breakfast. The drive back to Marrakech follows the Draa Valley and passes through N'kob and Ouarzazate, where you stop for lunch. You arrive back in Marrakech around 7:00 pm, having crossed the Atlas Mountains twice and seen the largest dunes in Morocco.
Top questions
Can I be picked up at my hotel?
You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 3 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you arrange it with the operator after booking. Pickup is about 20 minutes before departure.
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (9 to 13 years); Infant (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
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's the camel ride like on this 3-day tour to Merzouga?
The main camel trek lasts 1.5 hours and takes you into Erg Chebbi at sunset, stopping to watch the light fade over the dunes. You can also join an optional sunrise ride the next morning before breakfast. If you prefer not to ride, a 4x4 vehicle is available instead.
Where do you sleep during the overnight in the Sahara?
You stay in a traditional nomadic tent at either Suerte Luxury Camp or Merzouga Glamping Camp, depending on availability. The camp provides dinner, mint tea, Berber music, a campfire, and stargazing before you sleep under the open sky.
What are the Todra Gorges like?
The Todra Gorges form a narrow canyon in Todra Valley, with towering pink and grey cliffs rising on both sides. You take a short walk through the canyon, surrounded by these dramatic rock walls and lush palm vegetation.
How much driving is involved over the three days?
The tour covers the Atlas Mountains twice (once on the way to Merzouga and again on the return) plus the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, Draa Valley, and stops at Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorges, and several Berber villages. An air-conditioned vehicle handles all the transport, with the driver picking you up from your Marrakech hotel around 8:00 am on day one.
Can you sandboard in the dunes?
Sandboarding is optional and happens during the sunset camel trek on day two, after you reach Erg Chebbi. You can choose to try it or skip it and enjoy the dunes another way.
What's included in the price?
The tour includes private transportation, both the sunset and sunrise camel rides (one camel per person), a 4x4 vehicle if you don't want to ride, an air-conditioned vehicle for driving, entry to Merzouga Desert, sandboarding, and all mandatory fees. Lunches, drinks, and tips are not included.
Operated by Vita Morocco. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
Merzouga Desert 3-day camel trek and night under stars
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from US$ 250 per person
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