Merzouga Desert: 3-Day Marrakech Tour with Camel Trek & Dades Gorge

Summary

Atlas peaks kasbahs camel rides & desert nights from Marrakech

You’ll cross wild Atlas passes from Marrakech to Merzouga, wander ancient kasbahs at Aït Ben Haddou, taste home-cooked tagine in Ouarzazate, ride camels into Saharan sunset light, and fall asleep under desert stars after music by the fire. It’s not always comfortable — but it’s real Morocco on every sense.

What’s the experience like?

"If you’re quiet, you can hear the dunes breathe," Youssef said, right before we reached Merzouga. I didn’t really get it at first — but after hours winding through the Atlas Mountains, past those switchbacks and tiny villages where kids waved at our minibus, things started to slow down. The Tizi-n'Tichka Pass was colder than I expected (even in April), and our driver stopped for mint tea somewhere above the clouds. The glass was sticky with sugar and my hands smelled like dust and oranges. We talked about football — apparently everyone here supports Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Aït Ben Haddou looked like something out of a movie set (which, okay, it actually is — Gladiator, Game of Thrones, all that). Our guide pointed out old Berber symbols scratched into the mudbrick walls while a local woman tried to sell me a scarf in every color imaginable. I bought one mostly because she smiled at me with gold teeth and called me “sister.” Lunch in Ouarzazate was chicken tagine with preserved lemon — salty, tangy, somehow perfect after all that dry air. I still think about that sauce.

The Dades Gorge felt unreal: red cliffs stacked up like giant bookshelves, goats scrambling along edges that made my stomach drop. We spent the night in a riad where dinner tasted smoky from the fire and someone played an oud quietly in the corner. In the morning there was fresh bread so warm it steamed when you tore it open.

By the time we reached Merzouga for our camel trek into Erg Chebbi, everything had slowed down — even my thoughts. Riding out as the sun set over endless sand felt both awkward (camels are bumpy) and weirdly peaceful; Youssef handed me dates and laughed when I almost dropped them trying to snap photos. That night in the bivouac camp was full of music around a fire — drums echoing off nothing but stars overhead. I lay awake longer than I meant to just listening to wind move across sand outside my tent. So yeah… if you’re quiet enough, maybe you do hear something out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marrakech to Dades Gorges via Ait Benhaddou

• Cross Col Tichka Pass
• Visit Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
• Tour Ouarzazate and Atlas Film Studio
• Overnight in Dades Gorge region

Day 2 — Dades and Todra Gorges to Merzouga Desert

• Breakfast in Dades Gorge
• Visit Dades Gorge
• Explore Todra Gorge
• Lunch in Tinjdad
• Visit Erfoud fossil cooperative
• Camel ride to Merzouga desert camp
• Overnight in desert bivouac

Day 3 — Merzouga to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains

• Sunrise camel trek back to Merzouga
• Lunch and visit in Ouarzazate
• Return to Marrakech in evening

Top questions

How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?

The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga takes about 9–10 hours total but is split over two days with stops at sites like Aït Ben Haddou and Dades Gorge.

Is hotel pickup included for this desert tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech are included for this 3-day desert tour.

Do you sleep in tents or hotels during this trip?

You spend one night in a traditional riad near Dades Gorge and one night in a bivouac camp inside the Moroccan desert near Merzouga.

Is food included on this tour?

Dinners and breakfasts are included at both accommodations; lunches are not included but there are stops for meals along the way.

Are camel rides part of this tour package?

Yes, a camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes is included as part of your stay near Merzouga.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Is this day trip wheelchair accessible?

The transportation options are wheelchair accessible; please check ahead for specific accommodation needs.

What’s included

Your three days include hotel pickup and drop-off from Marrakech, all transportation through mountain passes and valleys with your guide-driver, a night in a riad near Dades Gorge with dinner and breakfast, another night under canvas in a desert bivouac with half board (dinner & breakfast), plus your camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes — all woven together by local stories along the way.