3-Day Sahara Desert Tour — Marrakech to Merzouga
2 nights included
Private option available
No printing needed
Up to 24h before
Licensed tour operator · 7 years
What you’ll do
Three days over the High Atlas to the dunes of Merzouga, a night in a desert camp and a camel ride at sunset.
Over the High Atlas, through the Dadès and Todra gorges, and out to the erg at Merzouga — where the road stops and the camels start.
This is the classic Moroccan desert run, done properly: a maximum of twelve people in a modern minibus, a driver who has made the trip a thousand times, and two nights that are actually worth staying for — a kasbah in the Dadès valley, and a camp under the dunes with proper beds and hot showers.
You’ll cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m, stop at Aït Ben Haddou (the UNESCO ksar you’ve seen in a dozen films), walk into the Todra gorge where the walls close to ten metres apart, and ride an hour into the erg to reach camp before sunset. Dinner is around the fire, and the Gnaoua drums come out afterwards.
Daily at 07:00 from your Marrakech accommodation
Day 3, ~19:30, dropped back at your riad
Day by day
- Day 1 · Marrakech → Dadès Valley
Pick-up from your riad, then the Tizi n’Tichka pass over the Atlas. Guided stop at Aït Ben Haddou (1h) and lunch in Ouarzazate. Afternoon through the Valley of Roses to a kasbah hotel in the Dadès gorge. Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Kasbah hotel, Dadès gorge
- Day 2 · Dadès → Todra → Merzouga camp
Morning walk in the Todra gorge, lunch in Tinghir, then east through Erfoud to the edge of Erg Chebbi. Camels at 17:00 for the hour’s ride into the dunes. Sunset from the high ridge, dinner at camp, drums and stars.
Overnight: Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
- Day 3 · Sunrise → Marrakech
Sunrise over the erg, camels back, breakfast and showers at the auberge. Long drive home via Rissani, Alnif and Ouarzazate with lunch and photo stops. Dropped at your accommodation in Marrakech.
Included
Not included
Know before you go
- — Warm layer: desert nights drop to 8 °C even in September
- — Scarf or shesh for the wind, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream
- — Small overnight bag; large cases stay in the bus at camp
- — Cash for lunches and tips — no card machines past Ouarzazate
- — Difficulty: Moderate
- — Not wheelchair accessible; camels can be swapped for a 4x4 transfer
- — Children from 4 years welcome; free under 3 (on a lap)
- — Not advised in the third trimester of pregnancy
- — Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals with 48h notice
Cancellation
Full refund if cancelled more than 24 hours before departure. Within 24 hours the booking is non-refundable. If the operator cancels a departure, you’re refunded in full.
6 verified travellers
France · travelled September 2026
Long drives, worth it
The desert is stunning and the camp is comfortable. Be ready for long hours in the minibus on day one — bring a cushion and music.
United Kingdom · travelled September 2026
Trois jours inoubliables
Notre guide connaissait chaque piste et chaque famille du village. Le bivouac sous les étoiles restera le meilleur souvenir du voyage.
Response from Atlas Discovery Tours
Merci ! Hassan sera ravi de lire ça.
Spain · travelled August 2026
Hamid drove us for three days and knew every village. The camp had actual beds and a hot shower, which I did not expect. Do it.
Ireland · travelled July 2026
Brilliant trip, but be honest with yourself about day three — it really is eight hours in a bus. Everything else was excellent.
Response from Atlas Discovery Tours
Thanks Daniel — we now offer the one-way option for travellers who’d rather fly back from Errachidia.
France · travelled July 2026
Trois jours parfaitement organisés, un chauffeur prévenant et un bivouac magique sous les étoiles. Le petit-déjeuner face aux dunes vaut le lever à 6 h.
United Kingdom · travelled June 2026
Small group, no rush, and the guide at Aït Ben Haddou was genuinely interesting. The camel ride at sunset is exactly as good as it looks.