3-DAY DESERT TOUR FROM MARRAKECH
Enjoy an extraordinary escape from the lively city of Marrakech with our 3-day desert tour. In less than three days you will be enchanted by the fascinating Sahara Desert, where you can enjoy the magical desert sunset and sunrise. Get ready for a fantastic experience with our private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech: you will ride camels across the splendid sand dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga and sleep under the starry desert sky in a luxury camp. Dive into this extraordinary adventure by discovering all the details of our itinerary.
TOUR INFORMATION
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Departure: Marrakech
Arrival: Marrakech
Tour style: Private and small group
ITINERARY: 3-DAY DESERT TOUR FROM MARRAKECH
DAY 1: MARRAKECH – HIGH ATLAS – AIT BEN HADDOU – DADES VALLEY
Your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech starts with pick-up at 8:00 am from your riad or wherever you are staying in Marrakech. Leaving the city, we will travel through the High Atlas mountains to the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, at 2,260 metres (7,415 feet) above sea level. Along the way we will stop to admire charming Berber villages.
We will then visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village known for its characteristic Moroccan architecture. Many famous films were shot here, such as “Kingdom of Heaven” in 2005, “Babel” in 2006, “Prince of Persia” in 2010, “Game of Thrones” in 2012 and the recent documentary “David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet” in 2020. You will have plenty of time to explore this historic Kasbah.
After a tasty lunch, we will continue south along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” towards the Dades Valley, passing places such as Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses at Kalaat M’Gouna. On arrival in the Dades Valley in the afternoon, if time allows, we will take you to admire the imposing rock formations known as “monkey fingers”; otherwise, we will visit this unique place the next day. You will spend the night in a comfortable hotel of your choice.
Driving distance: about 353 km
Driving time: about 6 hours 30 min
DAY 2: DADES VALLEY – TINGHIR OASIS – TODRA GORGE – MERZOUGA DESERT
We kick off the second day of your tour with a tasty breakfast. We will then head to Tinghir, stopping at a viewpoint overlooking charming Berber villages and an oasis full of palm trees. Nearby is a 300-metre-high canyon known as the Todra Gorge. We will walk through this deep canyon before continuing to the Merzouga desert.
On arrival in Merzouga in the afternoon, you will start a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes. Along the way you will stop on a high dune to admire a spectacular sunset over the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. You will then continue by camel to the camp, where you will be warmly welcomed with a cup of tea. You will have some free time to relax. After a delicious Moroccan dinner, you can sit around the fire with your Berber friends, who will play the drums and tell stories under the starry sky. You will spend the night in a luxury desert camp of your choice.
Driving distance: about 310 km
Driving time: about 5 hours
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT – DRAA RIVER – OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH
Today we highly recommend an early wake-up to watch a spectacular sunrise from the high dune closest to the camp. After a delicious breakfast, you can return to the town of Merzouga by camel or in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle. From here we will return to Marrakech, but this time we will take a different route along the Draa river, the longest river in Morocco, which stretches for 1,100 kilometres.
Feel free to ask your driver to stop whenever you like. We will stop for lunch in Ouarzazate before continuing to Marrakech across the High Atlas mountains. Finally, we will take you to your accommodation, marking the end of this 3-day desert tour from Marrakech.
Driving distance: about 560 km
Driving time: about 9 hours
IMPORTANT!
Please note that this is a suggested itinerary. If it does not exactly match your needs, do not hesitate to contact us. We will organise a tailor-made itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay in Morocco. This tour is also available as a shared small-group tour (limited to 10 participants). The third day involves several hours of driving: to shorten the long journey you can choose one of the 4-day versions. It is also possible to end the tour in Fes or to start the trip from Fes with the reverse variant.
THE PRICE
starts from 150 EUR per person and varies according to the number of participants, the accommodation chosen and the travel date. The more people join the tour, the lower the price per person. The rate of 150 EUR per person is available for groups of 17 or more participants; for a group of two people, the price starts from 215 EUR per person. The cost of transport is fixed and is shared among the travellers. Contact us through the contact form for an exact quote tailored to your group.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 3-DAY DESERT TOUR FROM MARRAKECH
Can I book a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech online with a reliable agency? Yes. Booking online in advance helps you secure a high-quality 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with a trusted local company. Esplora il Marocco offers comfortable, well-organised tours backed by excellent reviews and personalised service.
How do I book a 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga online? Booking your 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with Esplora il Marocco is quick and hassle-free. Simply contact us through the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp and we will help you choose the tour that best suits your travel plans. We will confirm availability, answer your questions and guide you through the booking process. By dealing directly with a trusted local company, you can travel with complete peace of mind, knowing that every detail of your desert adventure has been carefully organised.
How many days are recommended for a desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga? We recommend 3 to 4 days for a desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. A 3-day itinerary covers the main highlights and is the most popular choice, while a 4-day tour allows a more relaxed journey, with extra time to enjoy the landscapes, villages and cultural attractions of Morocco along the way.
What should I pack for a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech? For a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech, we recommend bringing comfortable clothing, sturdy walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a light jacket for the cool desert evenings and a small backpack for your personal belongings. Do not forget your camera and any essential medication so you can make the most of your Sahara adventure.
Is the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech suitable for families? Yes, the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech is suitable for families. We offer family-friendly tours with comfortable transport, carefully selected accommodation and flexible itineraries that can be tailored to travellers of all ages, for a safe, enjoyable and stress-free experience.
How long does it take to reach the desert from Marrakech? The road trip from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert, specifically Merzouga, takes about 9 hours. To make the journey more comfortable and enjoyable, we plan an overnight stay in the Dades Valley to break up the drive. On the third day you will continue the journey from Merzouga back to Marrakech.
Can I skip the camel ride to the camp? Of course! If you are not keen on riding the camels, we have an alternative for you. You can relax in the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle at no extra cost and we will take you to the camp with complete peace of mind. Your satisfaction is our priority!
Are there bathrooms at the camp? Absolutely: all the camps in our selection are classified as luxury camps and guarantee your comfort with the added convenience of en-suite private bathrooms.
What kind of vehicles are used on the 3-day tour from Marrakech? Great question! The type of vehicle depends on the number of participants in the group. Several vehicles are available, such as the Toyota Prado Land Cruiser TX, the 8-seater Ford van and the Mercedes Benz Sprinter minibus (suitable for groups of eight to seventeen passengers), as well as other comfortable options.
How far in advance should I book this tour? We recommend booking at least 1–3 weeks in advance, especially in high season, to secure the best accommodation and availability.
How do I pay for the tour? Our payment process is simple and hassle-free. To confirm the booking we ask for a small deposit, which can easily be paid by PayPal, bank transfer or Wise when booking. The remaining balance can be paid in cash on the first day of the tour directly to our driver/guide. You have the flexibility to pay in euros, US dollars or the equivalent in dirhams.
What is the cancellation policy for the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech? The cancellation policy for the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech depends on the travel season. Cancellations made in advance may be entitled to a full refund or a travel credit, while late cancellations are non-refundable. For full details, please see the Cancellation Policy page.
BOOKING PROCESS:
Contact us through the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp, telling us the number of travellers, your approximate departure date and the accommodation category you would like.
Booking: we ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (via PayPal, Wise or bank transfer). The remaining balance can be paid in cash (in EUR, USD or MAD) directly to the driver on arrival.
WHY CHOOSE PRIVATE TOURS IN MOROCCO?
A private tour lets you travel at your own pace, with maximum flexibility in timings, stops and choice of accommodation. You will have an expert driver and vehicles for your exclusive use at your complete disposal, for a trip in total comfort and safety.
The tour lasts 3 days / 2 nights. It departs from Marrakech and ends in Marrakech.
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Valley. Day 2: Dades Valley – Tinghir Oasis – Todra Gorge – Merzouga Desert. Day 3: Merzouga Desert – Draa River – Ouarzazate – Marrakech.
Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech; Modern air-conditioned 4×4 SUV, van or minibus; English-speaking driver, or English-speaking driver and tour guide (if you prefer another language, please let us know in advance); Accommodation for the first and second night; Meals: 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts; Camel trek; Sandboarding.
Lunches; Drinks; Entrance tickets, when required; Tips (optional).
The price depends on the number of travellers, the time of year and the accommodation category you choose. As it is a private tour, you only pay for your own group. Contact us with your dates and group size for a free, no-obligation quote.
Yes, the tour style is: Private and small group. You travel only with your own group, with a dedicated driver/guide. The itinerary is a suggested route: we can adjust it or create a tailor-made trip to suit you.
Get ready for a fantastic experience with our private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech: you will ride camels across the splendid sand dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga and sleep under the starry desert sky in a luxury camp.
