3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour

During this excursion to the Merzouga Desert, you will embark on an adventure through Erg Chebbi, a stunning section of the Sahara. Prepare for a journey filled with contrasts as we traverse the Atlas Mountains, discover lush valleys, explore remarkable fortifications, and experience a night under the expansive night sky in the rolling dunes.

Tour Overview

This itinerary spans three days and is crafted to ensure you witness all the notable attractions of southern Morocco, maximizing your travel experience while allowing you to savor every moment.

Day 1: Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - The Dadès Valley

We will depart from the vibrant city of Marrakech, heading southward. The journey will take us across the striking Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest road pass in North Africa at an altitude of 7414 ft (2260 m), where breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains await.

Next, we will explore the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned as a filming location for productions like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You will have 2.5 hours of leisure time to wander through its labyrinthine streets and enjoy a meal in this captivating setting.

Following a stop for photographs at the Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate, we will travel through the Valley of Roses until we reach the tranquil Dades Valley, where we will unwind for our first night surrounded by unique rock formations.

Day 2: Dadès Valley - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga

After savoring breakfast, we will depart for the stunning Todgha Gorges, an awe-inspiring canyon with towering cliffs exceeding 300 meters. En route, you will see the Jorf Palm Grove and Erfoud, often referred to as the doorway to the desert and celebrated for its ancient fossils.

The highlight of our day occurs in the afternoon when we transition from our vehicle to camels to journey into the Erg Chebbi dunes. We will take in the sunset over the sands before arriving at our campsite. Tonight, you will relish a traditional Amazigh dinner accompanied by music under the stars before settling down in an authentic haima for the night.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert - Rissani - Tizi n'Tichka - Ouarzazate - Marrakech

The desert sunrise is an experience you cannot afford to miss. After enjoying this serene moment, we will have breakfast at the camp and prepare for our final day.

We will pass through the Tafilalet palm grove and the historic Rissani village, the birthplace of Morocco’s Alaouite dynasty, before continuing through the acacia-studded plateaus and arriving at Alnif. This leg of the journey will see us crossing the Anti-Atlas mountain range. Following the scenic routes of Tizi n'Tichka, we will reach Tinghir (a significant Amazigh village) and backtrack to the Dades Valley.

We will reach Kalaat M'Gouna around midday, where we will pause for lunch. Following this, we will proceed to Marrakech, traversing through Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains.

Our return to Marrakech will be around 8:30 PM, where we can drop you off at your preferred location, either your designated pickup point or at the city’s airport.

Accommodation Options

When making your reservation, you will select your desired accommodation type:

• Standard Shared Accommodation: By opting for this choice, you will share your hotel room in Dades and the desert haima with up to 4 fellow participants. This is an economical choice for solo travelers as it eliminates the single supplement fee for private lodgings. Please note that shared accommodation in the haimas is the norm, and we aim to separate genders when possible. Children under 18 are not permitted in this option.
• Standard Private Accommodation: In this case, both the hotel room for the first night in Dades and the desert haimas will be yours alone, including private bathrooms at the camp. The haimas in this category can accommodate up to 4 individuals.
• Superior Private Accommodation: Similar to the previous option, both your initial hotel room in Dades and the desert haima will be private. This category features enhanced interior decor and superior meal options compared to the standard choice, with haimas accommodating up to 5 people.

On the first night, you will stay in Dades at locations such as Dar Essyaha, Hotel Babylon, Hotel Le Vieux Chateau, Kasbah Tifawen, or similar.

The second night will be spent in a haima camp in Merzouga, with distinct arrangements for standard and superior camps. The latter provides better meal options and facilities. Note that during busy periods, such as Easter or Christmas, standard-category camps may occasionally offer shared bathrooms.

On the third day, guests in both accommodation categories will have access to breakfast and showers at the camp before setting off.

Pickup Information

If you are located in the Medina, you are required to meet at one of the following designated locations:

• KFC Marrakech, situated in the Medina on Av. Mohammed V
• Moulay El Yazid Mosque, located at 23 Rue de La Kasbah
• Mohamed V School, found in Riad Laarouss
• Abdelmoumen School
• Bab Doukkala Pharmacy

For those staying outside the Medina, complimentary pickups from your hotel or riad are available. However, if your accommodation is located further afield from Marrakech, a supplementary fee of 10EUR to 40EUR will apply, depending on the distance.

Additional Options for Day Trips to the Merzouga Desert

If your itinerary continues northward, consider the 3-day trip from Merzouga to Fez. Alternatively, for a more tailored experience, explore our offerings for a private desert trip.