Experience Morocco’s wild side on a privately guided 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour. Travel from snow-capped Atlas peaks to the shifting golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, passing mud-brick Berber kasbahs and fortified villages along the way. Wander through palm-filled oases and dramatic limestone gorges. Later, as you ride your camel toward your Merzouga desert camp with the sun sinking behind the dunes, you’ll understand why many travelers call this Sahara desert tour from Marrakech the highlight of their time in Morocco.
Net driving time: ~6 hours (plus sightseeing stops)
Your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech starts with an early pickup from your riad or hotel. You head straight for the High Atlas Mountains, climbing the winding road to the Tizi n’Tichka Pass with plenty of stops for photos of terraced villages and dramatic valleys. The drive itself is part of the experience and your first taste of how varied a Morocco desert tour from Marrakech can be.
Late morning, you arrive at Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most famous ksar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to walk through the winding alleys, climb towards the old granary, and hear stories of caravans and movies filmed here. A lunch stop is usually made nearby or in Ouarzazate, the “gateway to the desert.”
In the afternoon, the road continues through the Skoura Oasis, where palm groves and the historic Kasbah Amridil showcase traditional earth-built architecture. You then follow a scenic route to the Dades Valley, known for its red rock formations and the famous “Monkey Fingers” cliffs. You arrive at your guesthouse or boutique hotel in time to relax, enjoy dinner, and get a good night’s sleep before reaching the Sahara.
Accommodation Details:
Hotel Babylon or similar
Net driving time: ~4 hours (plus walks and stops)
After breakfast overlooking the Dades Valley, your 3-day Marrakech desert tour continues east through small Berber towns and oasis villages towards Tinghir and the spectacular Todra Gorge. Here, sheer limestone walls rise almost 300 metres above a small river and palm-fringed valley. You’ll have time to stroll along the base of the gorge, photograph the towering cliffs, and enjoy a break in the cool canyon air.
From Todra, you drive via Rissani, an old caravan town with a traditional market. Soon the landscape opens to vast stony plains leading to Merzouga—the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. As the sand sea comes into view, you swap your vehicle for camels and begin a gentle sunset camel trek into the dunes.
By early evening, you arrive at your luxury ensuite Sahara desert camp. Expect a private tent with comfortable bedding, a hot shower, and modern facilities—far from basic camping. You can try sandboarding, climb a nearby dune for panoramic photos, or simply sit and watch the colours change across the sand. After a traditional dinner, you’ll enjoy Berber music around the campfire and some of the best stargazing in Morocco before retreating to your tent for the night.
Accommodation Details:
Net driving time: ~9 hours (plus comfort and photo stops)
You wake before dawn for an optional walk up a nearby dune to watch sunrise over Erg Chebbi—a peaceful, unforgettable moment as the desert glows in soft light. After breakfast at camp, you say goodbye to your hosts and drive back through Merzouga, perhaps stopping to visit a nomadic Berber family for mint tea if time allows.
The route west crosses open desert and then follows the Draa Valley, one of Morocco’s longest river oases, lined with palm groves and fortified villages. You’ll see a softer, greener side of the desert as you pass through small towns and kasbahs. A lunch stop is typically made around Ouarzazate, with time—if you wish—for a short visit to Kasbah Taourirt or a quick look at the Atlas Film Studios from outside.
In the afternoon, your driver takes you back over the High Atlas to Marrakech. Expect a full travel day with plenty of comfort stops for coffee, photos, and stretching your legs. By early evening, you’re dropped off at your riad or hotel, ending your 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour with a camera full of photos and memories of the Sahara night sky.
| Number of Participants: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7-9 | 10-13 | 14-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person: | 790€ | 435€ | 365€ | 325€ | 295€ | 265€ | 245€ | 215€ | 195€ |
| Number of Participants: | Price per person: |
|---|---|
| 1 | 790€ |
| 2 | 435€ |
| 3 | 365€ |
| 4 | 325€ |
| 5 | 295€ |
| 6 | 265€ |
| 7-9 | 245€ |
| 10-13 | 215€ |
| 14-17 | 195€ |
We booked the 3-day private Marrakech to Merzouga tour and it ended up being the highlight of our Morocco trip. The drive is long in parts, but our driver-guide made it feel relaxed with plenty of photo and coffee stops, and he explained so much about Berber culture and the areas we passed through. Aït Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge were all stunning – way more impressive in real life than in photos.
The camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset was pure magic. Our luxury tent had a real bed, hot shower and was much more comfortable than we expected, and the dinner and music around the campfire felt very special without being “too touristy”.
Overall the tour was well organised, punctual and felt safe the whole time. If you want to see the “real” Sahara in just a few days without dealing with logistics yourself, this is a fantastic option.
Our family had an incredible 3-day desert tour from Marrakech with Marrakech Desert Trips. Traveling in late summer, we truly appreciated how well everything was arranged. Our driver, Marwan, was professional, warm, and attentive—he made the long drives enjoyable and ensured the kids were comfortable throughout. The journey was filled with beautiful stops, delicious Moroccan meals, and authentic cultural experiences. The highlight was arriving in Merzouga: riding camels at sunset, followed by an overnight in a luxury desert camp equipped with A/C, which was perfect for the season. The camp was both comfortable and atmospheric, giving us the magic of the Sahara without compromising on convenience. The next morning, the whole family loved quad biking across the dunes. A seamless, memorable experience we highly recommend!
Our 3-day desert tour from Marrakech was one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken. From the start, communication and organization were excellent, which gave us complete peace of mind. Our driver, Marwan, was not only professional but also warm and attentive, sharing stories that made the long drives so enjoyable. The Moroccan meals along the way were delicious, and the desert landscapes were breathtaking. Arriving in Merzouga, we experienced a magical camel ride at sunset before settling into the luxury camp. The tent was beautifully prepared and equipped with A/C, which made it very comfortable even in late summer. Waking up to sunrise over the dunes and enjoying a morning quad bike ride together was unforgettable. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience we’d recommend to any couple.
We were a group of six friends looking for an adventure, and this 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour exceeded all our expectations! From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized. Our driver, Youssef, was amazing—he kept us entertained with stories about Moroccan history and made sure we had plenty of photo stops along the way.
The Sahara Desert was the highlight of the trip. Riding camels into the dunes at sunset was surreal, and the luxury desert camp was beyond anything we imagined. The tents were spacious and comfortable, and the staff treated us like royalty. We spent the evening laughing, stargazing, and dancing to Berber music around the campfire—it felt like something out of a movie!
We also loved the cultural stops, especially Ait Benhaddou and Todra Gorge. The landscapes were breathtaking, and Youssef made sure we had enough time to explore without feeling rushed. The stop at Rissani’s market was a fun addition, and we picked up some unique souvenirs.
This tour was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and culture. If you’re traveling with friends, this is the ultimate way to experience Morocco. We’re already planning our next trip back!
My husband and I just returned from the 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour, and it was absolutely incredible! From the moment we were picked up in Marrakech, everything was seamless. Our driver, Ahmed, was not only an expert navigator but also a fantastic guide, sharing fascinating stories about the Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou, and Berber culture.
The highlight of the trip was definitely the Sahara Desert. Riding camels at sunset into the Erg Chebbi dunes felt like a dream, and spending the night in a luxury desert camp was magical. The tents were cozy and beautifully decorated, and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Dinner under the stars, followed by live Berber music around the campfire, was an experience we’ll never forget.
The itinerary was perfectly balanced—scenic drives, cultural stops, and plenty of time to relax. We loved exploring Todra Gorge and Rissani’s bustling market, and the stop at Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate was a fun surprise.
If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate—it’s worth every penny. We came home with not just photos, but memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for an amazing adventure!
