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Private 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Tour
Private 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Tour
TRIP SUMMARY
Private 3-Day Desert Tour: From Marrakech to the Merzouga Dunes
Discover southern Morocco on this private 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Desert tour, blending mountain landscapes, historic kasbahs, and vast sand dunes. Departing from Marrakech, cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, passing Berber villages and ancient caravan routes.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, continue through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, and spend the night in the scenic Dades Valley. On day two, explore the dramatic Todgha Gorges before traveling through Erfoud and Rissani to the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga.
Enjoy a sunset camel trek and overnight stay in a traditional Sahara desert camp, then return to Marrakech via the lush Draâ Valley after sunrise in the dunes.
Trip Length
3 days
Trip Type
Adventure, Cultural, Nature
Ideal Season
All Year Around
ITINERARY BREAKDOWN
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Boumalne Dades
Transport (5 -6 hrs) Visit of the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou & Dinner
Welcome to Morocco! Leave the bustling city behind and head east toward the desert, ascending the High Atlas Mountains. Look out for Mount Toubkal, the highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Along the way, you'll pass numerous Berber villages, recognizable by their traditional mud-brick buildings.
Stop for lunch in Taddert and visit a local Argan Oil Cooperative to learn how local women extract oil from argan nuts for use in health, food, and cosmetics. Follow the winding road to the Tizi n'Tichka pass and pause to take in the stunning panoramic views.
Continue east through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many of which are in disrepair due to their pisé (rammed earth) construction. As you journey toward Boumalne Dades, you'll pass small towns where traditional farming methods are still practiced. Keep an eye out for nomads tending their animals as you travel through the fragrant Kela'a M'gouna, known as the "Valley of the Roses." You'll eventually arrive in Boumalne Dades, a key town along the Dades River, where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Boumalne Dades - Todra Gorges - Merzouga Desert camp
Transport (5 hrs) Visit of Todgha Gorge & Dinner
Today, we drive further east to your final destination: the sand sea of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga. Along the way, stop in Tinghir to admire the river oasis that stretches on either side of the town. The surrounding desert landscape is marked by impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus.
Nearby, explore the Todra Gorge, a 984-foot (300 m) deep ravine carved by the Todra River. Continue to the desert town of Erfoud, known for its figs and fossils. Visit a craft workshop to see how fossil-rich rocks are expertly transformed into practical and decorative items. Don't forget to buy some fresh figs here!
As you approach Merzouga the gateway to the Sahara stop in the market town of Rissani to visit the lively livestock auction and the unique "donkey parking lot." Leaving Rissani, the vast sand sea of Erg Chebbi will begin to appear on the horizon.
Upon reaching Merzouga, transfer to your personal camel for a trek over the dunes to your Bedouin-style camp. Climb a nearby dune to watch the sunset, then enjoy a warm meal by the campfire.
Day 3: Merzouga - Alnif - Draa Valley - Marrakech
Transport (7-8 hrs) Breakfast, Draa Valley (we don't drive back the same way)
Rise early to greet the new day and to witness the spectacle of the sunrise in the heart of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. After mint tea and breakfast, return across the desert on your camels to shower in your Hotel. Direct transfer from Merzouga to the Dra’a Valley and the off-roads of the ancient caravan route to Agdez. Late afternoon arrival to Marrakech, drop off at your accommodation booked by your-self.
Included
- Private transportation;
- Visit of Ait Ben Haddou;
- Camel ride;
- 1 overnight in Dades;
- 1 overnight in the camp;
- 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners;
Not Included
- Flight tickets;
- Accommodation in Marrakech;
- Lunches or drinks
- tipping and souvenirs
Budget-Friendly Alternative
If you prefer a social atmosphere, we offer a shared 3-day Merzouga experience starting from €100–€160. Enjoy the same desert highlights in a small group setting with flexible accommodation tiers to suit your needs.
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Highlights
Visit the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, Morocco’s most famous fortified village
Sunset camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Merzouga Sahara Desert
Walk through the Todgha Gorges near Tinghir, Morocco’s iconic canyon
Explore the Dades Valley and spend the night in Boumalne Dades
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